Santa Barbara County Fair brings adventure to Santa Maria for event’s 130th edition
For Central Coast residents looking to escape the extreme heat, adventure — and cooler weather — awaits at the Santa Barbara County Fair this weekend.
The fair at the Santa Maria Fairpark began Wednesday and continues through Sunday. The theme of the 130th annual event is “Adventure Awaits.”
While heat advisory and an excessive heat warning blanketing most of Central California, a coastal strip including Santa Maria will remain relatively cool through the weekend with temperatures staying in the 70s.
Meanwhile, the Santa Ynez Valley could hit triple digits on Saturday when the National Weather Service forecast calls for a high of 100 degrees and upper 90s on Friday and Sunday.
On opening day, fair visitors, armed with food or just ready to intake some entertainment gathered before the stage where Tyzen fed them a bit of comedy, magic and hypnosis.
As he started his show, Tyzen reminded audience members, “It’s a comedy show.”
When the girl answered “queen of clubs,” Tyzen corrected that it should be called “Tonya Harding” drawing a mixture of groans and laughter from the audience as he admitted the joke might escape younger audience members.
As his volunteers from the audience fell under the spell of the hypnotist, Tyzen jokingly checked one man’s pulse as he seemingly passed out and made an air heart as two strangers rested their heads on each other.
The fair schedule calls Tyzen to perform twice a day on Center Stage, including 12:30 and 5:15 p.m. Saturday, and 12:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Inside one building at the fairpark, assorted vendors offered the chance to buy fragrant candles from Scentsy, storage containers from Tupperware, spices, T-shirts, skin care lotion and more.
Another building displayed photographs and quilts entered by local residents along with the art of table settings and more.
A few Santa Maria Camera Club members were among those with entries displayed to show off photographers’ talents, president Jeanne Sparks said, adding they were among award winners.
Fair gates open at noon Friday through Sunday and close at 10 p.m. although the carnival may remain open until midnight.
The Junior Livestock Auction begins at 8 a.m. Saturday following a busy weeks of getting the animals settled in the barns and taking part in the championship drive.
The daily schedule can be found by clicking here.
Helms & Sons Amusements has returned to provide carnival rides and games.
Main Stage concerts, which are free with paid fair admission, featured performers Ashley McBride on Thursday night and Uncle Kracker on Friday night, with Switchfoot set for Saturday.
Sunday will feature a Fiesta Day concert, which is a separate ticketed event. For more information and to purchase tickets click here.
Fair tickets at the gate cost $16 for adults, and $14 for ages 6-11 and 62 and older. Carnival wristbands are $45 at the gate. Daily parking will cost $10.
Saturday is Military and Law Enforcement Appreciation Day with free admission provided to members with valid identification.
For more information go to www.santamariafairpark.com.
