STANISLAUS COUNTY
FAIR CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
AWARDED BEST IN THE WEST
Right in
Turlock’s back yard you will find the best
Overall Children’s Program of any large size
fair in the Western United States.
Among
the awards garnered at the Western Fairs
Association (WFA) convention in early
January, the Stanislaus County Fair received
the first place award for Overall Children’s
Program. WFA serves more than 2,000 members
throughout the Western United States and
Canada, including 140 fairs.
Winning 11
awards total, the Stanislaus County Fair’s
children’s program is one that caught the
attention of fair industry judges for a
first place award. The Sky Trek Kids Zone
is the heart of the Fair’s children’s
program, which featured Lowe’s make-and-take
craft and constructions projects, balloon
and animal shows, a breast-feeding and
baby-changing area, Shriner’s free
children’s ID service and more.
Judges also
looked at the success of the fair’s
competitive and non-competitive events for
children in making their decision to present
the first place award to the Stanislaus
County Fair.
Non-competitive events for children include
the 4-H Farmyard Experience, a 10,000 square
feet exhibit filled with fun, hands-on
learning for kids and the Brad’s World
Reptile exhibit where kids can hold a baby
alligator and touch a giant snake.
Competitive exhibits for children feature
Lego contests, cookie decorating contests,
art contests, a fudge-making contest, a
coloring contest and even creating animals
out of papier mache`.
Special
children’s programs were also considered by
the judges, including the fair’s free school
tours and Kids Night at the fair—a night
when all children 12 and under are admitted
for free.
“We have been
building on the foundation of a great
children’s program for years,” said Tony
Leo, chief executive officer of the
Stanislaus County Fair. “Lifetime memories
are created at our fair and many are rooted
in one or more of the many award-winning
activities and events we present especially
for children.”
More than
42,000 kids, age 12 and under, passed
through the Stanislaus County Fair’s
turnstiles during the 10-day run of the 2007
fair.
In addition to
many of the award-winning children’s
activities, the 2008 fair will feature
Jurassic Journey, a 6,000 square foot.
exhibit of nearly 40 life-size dinosaur
replicas and fossils. The exhibit is making
its California debut at the Stanislaus
County Fair.
The Stanislaus
County Fair walked away with six WFA first
place awards, three second place awards,
and two third place awards, in the Class 3 /
Large Fair division.. Each division is based
on the size of the fair. Class 3 is based
on fair attendance between 150,000 and
500,000.
The first
place award categories won are: Books and
Magazines, Fair Sponsorship Involvement,
Best Single Day Program, New Non-Competitive
Exhibit, Overall Children’s Program and Fair
Dealer Cover Photo Contest. Second place
awards include: Innovative Advertising,
Fair-time Programs / Schedule, News Photo.
The two third place awards are: Radio
Advertising and Competitive Exhibit
Handbook.
“Our success
is a result of the Stanislaus County Fair’s
dedicated team of board members, sponsors,
staff and volunteers,” said Leo. “Our team
is committed to excellence and that is what
makes the Stanislaus County Fair stand out
among fairs in the Western United States and
Canada,” stated Leo.
The 2008
Stanislaus County Fair opens Friday, July 25
for a 10-day run. Now in its 97th
year, this year’s fair is themed “Nuts are
DINO-mite!” Fair guests can count on
award-winning, enormous dinosaur fun.
The mission of
the Stanislaus County Fair is to provide a
family and community-oriented experience
promoting agriculture, education,
entertainment and technology.
For more
information about the award-winning
Stanislaus County Fair, or to host your
company picnic during the fair visit,
www.stancofair.com.
