New delights, updates for this year's fair
Sep. 20—What do snakes, spiked Dole Whip and a Save Our Water campaign have in common? Along with alliteration, they are just some of the new elements to the 2023 Kern County Fair.
This year's event, which fair board chairman Ned Dunphy said brings in so many people it's like moving "a big city in and out every day," opened Wednesday with new concessionaires, snacks, attractions and plenty of updates.
The first may be apparent to those parking in the P Street lot, which has been recently repaved. New asphalt was also laid in the grandstand area and Building 4 parking lot.
Sheep in the livestock area will enjoy new pens, which are portable and now located over concrete (formerly dirt). Electrical upgrades in the livestock area will help students needing to use clippers and blowers to prep animals before presenting them.
Chelsey Roberts, the fair's marketing representative, said entries were up over 300 entries for a total of 924 exhibitors.
"There will be a lot of full barns," she said.
To accommodate, there will be two Parade of Champion events, one Thursday and the other on Sunday.
As the sun sets, new LEDs, which are replacing existing lighting on the grounds, will offer a more energy-efficient display. The fair is in the process of changing to all LEDs with about 75% completed, according to Roberts.
Among the 104 food vendors at the event is a food truck pop-up located near the Union Avenue entrance by the Frontier Stage. Taking part are local trucks Tailored Burgers, Babmojka, Sabor Taino Smokehouse BBQ, Pupusas La Salvadoreña, Firewater Cocinita and Birrieria Garcia.
Roberts said the addition came about as a result of the monthly Food Truck Night the fairgrounds started hosting earlier this year.
Other new items include Sweet Edna's sweet potato pie bar at the Boy Scouts Southern Sierra Council's baked potato booth that was added to the menu after the dish won last month's Baked Potato Bash put on by the organization.
A new vendor on Main Street will serve mini doughnuts, soft serve and sundaes; it's located in the spot last held by Fabe's Churros & Gelato, which will not return this year.
Papa Gino's Pizza expanded its location down Main Street closer to the carnival by adding a wing shack with hand-tossed options like honey barbecue, Buffalo, mesquite dry rub and Asian zing. Hungry attendees can order a family bucket of 20 wings for $31.99 plus tax.
Villa Festiva has also expanded with more space beyond the vendors and concessions to accommodate the crowds drawn to the mariachi, folklorico and other music set for the stage.
Coors Light will be represented with The Silver Bullet Cold Stream, a custom Airstream trailer offering super-chilled draft beers. For adults, vendor Cabo Corner will serve Mango Shotta, a mango jalapeno tequila, and another will offer Dole Whip spiked with Captain Morgan spiced rum.
Some fair-goers may need liquid courage to face the slithery reptiles of the giant snakes educational exhibit. The display, which costs $3 to enter, includes a number of large snakes including a 23-foot-long, 260-pound reticulated python.
The same vendor also has a Lorikeets Encounter farther east on Grand Avenue where fair-goers can meet and feed the colorful native Australian birds.
New sponsor Save Our Water hopes to draw people into its setup on KC Loop offering tips on conserving water and water-efficient landscaping. The spot offers coloring and seed-planting stations for kids and a portable AC unit for those looking to take a cool break.
Joining returning KC Loop attractions All Star Stunt Dog Challenge, All Alaskan Racing Pigs and Great American Duck Race is the all-new Kids Pedal Tractor Pull where children can race on pedal tractors to which a weighted sled has been added.
Also new this year is an exhibit highlighting the legacy of labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez.
Located in Building 4, the traveling exhibit was curated by the San Mateo County Fair in partnership with the National Chavez Center, Cesar Chavez Foundation and nonprofit association ALAS (Ayundando Latinos A Soñar).
The fair runs through Oct. 1. Visit kerncountyfair.com for a full list of events and attractions.
Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488. Follow her on Twitter at @realstefanidias.
