Stanislaus County Fair offers FREE school TOurs!

            Turlock—Teachers get your calendars open because it is time to make reservations for your class to tour Stanislaus County’s largest community event.

            Stanislaus County Fair class tours for grades Kindergarten through sixth grade, now in their 19^th year, were created to be both exciting and educational and afford students a guided trip around the fair absolutely free of charge. Teachers may make reservations for 2007 School Tours now through Tuesday, July 17, 2007.

“It is important for our youth to understand that the produce, milk and other agricultural commodities grown in Stanislaus County feed a large part of the world,” said Corrin Amaral, program director from the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau. “The goal of the School Tours program is to provide students with an education about the importance of our farmers’ and growers’ place in a global economy.”

Stanislaus County Fair school tours are coordinated and sponsored by the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau and feature many educational stops around the fairgrounds.  Some of the featured points of interest on the fair tour include a presentation from the Turlock Irrigation District on the importance of water safety in the summer months and a presentation on the importance of the dairy industry to people’s everyday life.

            Students will also visit the 4-H Farmyard Experience. This popular 10,000 square foot exhibit has been transformed by Stanislaus County 4-H groups into a trip to exotic locations within the confines of a large barn. Guests can start their adventure through the Farmyard with a passport to document their travels as they meet exotic animals in the petting zoo including a camel, water buffalo and even a zedonk!

            Tours are scheduled for Monday, July 30, Wednesday, Aug. 1, Thursday, Aug. 2 and Friday August 3. The first tour begins at 8:30 a.m. with tours departing every 20 minutes through 12 p.m. Each tour lasts approximately 2 hours, with the final tour of the day concluding at 2 p.m.

            Tours are booked on a first-come, first-served basis and should be booked early.  Email reservation requests should be submitted to Candy Beneux at the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau at candyb@stanfarmbureau.org. Teachers and those interested in making a School Tour reservation should use “Fair Tours” as the subject of their e-mailed inquiry.  Phone reservations should also be directed to Candy Beneux at (209) 522-7278.

            For children unable to participate in school tours, Kids’ Night at the Fair is planned for Thursday, Aug. 2. On Kids’ Night children 12 and under are admitted free, sponsored by Nationwide Insurance Turlock and Modesto Offices. The first 1,000 guests through the gates will receive a free gift, courtesy of Nationwide Agents Kelly Moody of Turlock and Lori Crivelli of Modesto.

The Stanislaus County Fair is now in its 96^th year. The 2007 fair opens Friday, July 27 for a 10-day run. The theme of this year’s fair, “Summer Safari,” will provide a great adventure for kids and adults alike. Discount carnival and admission tickets for the 2007 fair, as well as tickets for all motorsports events in the FoodMaxx Arena are now on sale. To buy and print eTickets for fair admission and unlimited ride wristbands, from the convenience of your own computer, or for the other methods of purchase available, please visit www.stancofair.com. 

The mission of the Stanislaus County Fair is to provide a family and community oriented experience promoting agriculture, education, entertainment and technology.

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