LAJ ARTICLES

The Return of the Ventura County Fair

The smell of kettle popcorn, funnel cakes, and livestock will be wafting in the air while laughter, screams and music can be heard coming from the Ventura County Fair one again after a two-year hiatus. The VC Fair, will be celebrating the people of Ventura County’s creativity, traditions and resilience with its tagline, “VC Fair Rides Again.”

Growing up in Ventura, the fair has always been the go-to with friends and family during the summer. It is an event where you spend an entire day creating and sharing memorable memories and moments without realizing because it comes so naturally.

An event where the sunsets never disappoint on the ferris wheel or on the ground floor. An event where every night for twelve days you wait for the firework extravaganza before going to bed. A true Ventura staple.

Live music has always been a staple to the Ventura County Fair. Great bands from a range of music perform at the Grandstand Arena and the best part is, is that it is free with fair admission. This year’s lineup includes:

August 3 – Marina McBride

August 4 – KC and the Sunshine Band

August 5 – The All-American Rejects

August 6 – Blue Oyster Cult

August 7 – La Arrolladora Banda Limon, Los Parras and Jesus Ojeda

August 8 – The Beach Boys with special guest John Stamos

August 9 – Clay Walker

August 10 – Cheap Trick

One of the best things about the Ventura County Fair is, is that it offers special admission days where patrons can enter for free or at a low price. Special admission days will be on:

August 3, Dollar Day – Admission will be $1 until 5 p.m.

August 5, Youth Day – Children under the ages of 12 are admitted for free all day.

August 9, Seniors and persons with disabilities day – Visitors aged 65 and over will be admitted for free all day. All people with disabilities and their companion will be admitted for free all day.

August 11, Military Appreciation Day – All military personal presenting current, valid military I.D. will be admitted for free all day.

Carnival rides are a staple at any fair and the Ventura County Fair is no different. Just like any other fair, each ride will require a certain number of tickets. The VC Fair will be offering “Carnival Wristband Days” on August 4, 8, 9, and 11, which will be good for unlimited carnival rides until 7:00 p.m. for $40 a wristband. They can be purchased until 6 p.m.

Parking for the Ventura County Fair can be a pain, especially for those who are not from around the area. You will be glad to know that free parking will be available at these locations where you will be able to find parking and be taken to the fair–via shuttle–from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.. Free shuttle accessibility for wheelchair capable at all sites. These locations will be located at:

County Government Center (Lot E, off Telephone Rd. in Ventura)

Pacific View Mall (behind the former Sears location in Ventura)  

Ventura Community Park (on Telephone Rd at Ramelli Ave. in Ventura)

Ventura High School (Larrabee lots off Poli St. in Ventura)

Free shuttles will also be provided from San Buenaventura State Beach off Harbor Blvd. in Ventura but will be charged at regular state beach parking fees.

The Ventura County Fair is a family event, and the health and safety remain the highest priority. While guests are not required to provide proof of vaccination, the fair strongly recommends all guests 2 and older either be fully-vaccinated or obtain a negative COVID-19 viral test prior to entry. While masks are optional, they are encouraged in crowded and/or indoor areas. Masks will be available to guests who may have forgotten to bring one.

The Ventura County Fair follows the public health COVID guidelines of the State of California and the Ventura County Departments of Public Health. The fair will institute the guidelines applicable at the time of its residency.

The Ventura County Fair 2022, “A Country Fair with Country Air”, runs August 3-14 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. For more information, please visit www.venturacountyfair.org or call (805) 648-3376.

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