The “Last Ride” Cattle drive was so special for many reasons.  It gave me an opportunity to meet several leaders of the community, riders and steer owners, KAT Country radio station DJ’s, a Rowell Ranch Rodeo Queen and even a Posse.

I describe this event as a giant puzzle with many different pieces and moving parts.  So many organizations and people helped put this Cattle drive together.  Even the downtown businesses supported the event just distributing tickets graciously organized by the Pleasanton Downtown Association.  The Museum on Main entertained kids with informative color books and games.  Historical pictures were posted just highlighting our rich history with old pictures of Cattle and ranch workers.

The entire Alameda County Fair Family had a hand in making it a great success. The Marketing team, Human Resources, Parking & Maintenance and even Accounting all did their part.  Not to mention the 4H Group, Nate Janousek, Cattlewoman’s Association and Tony Machianno and his group cooking and donating all of the meals they made for us at Cattle Camp.

It’s hard to believe I was trusted with coordinating this incredible event.  If it weren’t for Veronica Knowlton and her detailed binder and operations manual she so carefully mapped out, I doubt it would have looked so seamless.  I appreciate the little necessities like pooper scoopers and the workers that distributed trash cans.

The ones that had the most control over the day were the riders and the dogs that the kept the cattle contained.  It was a site to see the tractors, wagons, trucks, jugglers and most importantly the crowd.

 

I will remember this event fondly and appreciative of all who were involved.  Wrapping it up was Jerome Hoban our CEO and gift giver.  The commemorative blankets and custom photographed collage for each individual rider is a thoughtful tribute for their recognition.  Thank you everyone for making the “Last Ride” an incredible initiation as the newest member of the Alameda County Fair Family.

I have to admit, I am feeling very bittersweet about the last day of the 2019 Fair. I was driving around the Fairgrounds this morning on the golf cart and I was looking at all of the things I missed out on this year! You would think after working all 18 days of the fair, I would feel like I have experienced everything!

Since I am feeling very nostalgic on this final Fair day, I should probably inform you on the free Fair activities I enjoyed as a kid. My favorite part of summer was coming to the Fair with my whole family on a warm day and participating in everything it has to offer. It was such a joy growing up going to this fair and I am amazed by all of the innovative activities they have for kids. Sometimes I wish I could go back to when I was five and the petting zoo felt like it was my own personal zoo!

I hope you choose to join us on our last day and take advantage of all of these free activities:

• Auction, July 7 in the Amador Pavilion (Building J) until 1pm
• Acts on the Family Fun Stage, Grandstand Stage, & AgVenture Stage
• Browsing all the shops and displays
• Building R Kids Art
• Cooking Demos
• Concerts (Reserve your seat)
• Barnyard Display – Milk a Cow
• Cowboy Boot Camp
• Enter two win Safeway $1,000 Gift Card at the Ag Display (Green Gate)
• Enter to win $1,000 Cash at the Grandstands – Guess How Many T-shirt Bin
• Exhibits Displays 
• Farm Displays and How to Build a Planter
• Food Eating Contests
• Gardens – Plant Sale at 6:00PM
• Going through the art gallery
• Grounds Entertainment – don’t miss the crowd favorite One-Man-Band
• Horse Racing 
• Hypnotist
• Kids’ Tractor Pulls
• K-9 Dog Shows
• FMX Shows
• Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pulls
• Looking at the animals in Amador Pavillion
• Motocross Show
• Pig Races
• Petting Zoo
• Power Station
• RV Demo Derby
• Tina Marie Hypnotist Shows
• Magic Shows
• STEAM Events
• Selfie Spots
• Wine Garden – Listen to Live Music

 

In today’s world it is all about the social media. We are constantly on the lookout for photo opportunities to post on Instagram for friends and family to see. Working at the Fair I get to see a lot of what goes into making the Fair look “Pretty” for our thousands of guests that come through everyday. I would say that the food vendors do the same. Working their hardest to serve you aesthetically pleasing food that some would call Instagram worthy. 

This year at the Fair we have incorporated a handful of selfie spots for you to get that perfect picture to share on your profile. As soon as these backdrops went up there was no explanation necessary, everyone seemed to know exactly what these spots were for! Not everyday can you stand in front of an eight foot wall of sprinkles. 

We have three different food incorporated selfie spots. One, a wall of colorful sprinkles (located in the court of four seasons). Two, a giant waffle cone that looks absolutely amazing (also located in the court of four seasons) . And three, delicious looking popcorn (located in the kids park)! All these structures stand tall at eight feet, so even the tallest of Fair goers will have a great photo backdrop. 

Two of my personal favorites have nothing to do with food, yet still look amazing! Located in Artisan Alley we have the rainbow wall. This is 16 feet wide, so you and all your friends can squeeze in for that group picture. My second favorite is located in the court of four seasons and it is a living room set up. We have a rug, bench, table, and a wall of picture frames in the back. What is cool about the structure that is holding up the frames is that two of them have holes so people can stick their heads through and it looks like you are in the frame. 

If you are of drinking age and like to buy wine and beer in building Q that is attached to the wine gardens, we have two selfie spots in there where you can pose with your drink or even just your friends.

Since I am in the marketing department I work a lot with social media and we are constantly looking through our hashtags to see your pictures of the Fair. So be sure whenever you post a picture here at the fair you use the hashtags! #alamedacountyfair #ispysummer 

 

Independence Day marks the start of the last week of live racing at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton. You won’t see thoroughbreds or any other breed zipping across our one-mile dirt oval until they resume training in May of 2020, so if you want to catch some live racing in the Stella Artois Grandstand, the time is now.

Why, you ask?

Well, for starters, if you like to gamble, horse racing offers the only form of gambling that doesn’t have a ‘house’ with a vested interest in seeing you lose. If you have ever been to Las Vegas, you’ve probably realized the lavish hotels, awe-inspiring sportsbooks and buzzing casino floors weren’t built by winning bettors. They were built by losers lost in a vast, elaborate illusion of winning.

In horse racing, the game is supported by what is dubbed “pari-mutuel” wagering. It’s a French word, meaning “among ourselves.” In horse racing, all the money wagered goes into a pool. A cut averaging about 20% is removed to pay for purses – the money won by the horse owners, trainers and jockey – and the rest is retained by racetrack to pay its expenses and, hopefully, turn a small profit.

The rest is divided among the bettors with winning tickets.

The advantage you get with pari-mutuel wagering is that the odds you receive on the horses are determined by the betting public, not some house looking for a profitable edge. Favorites win when the public is right. Longshots win when the public is wrong.

Our challenge as horse bettors is to find those times when we think the public is wrong, and take advantage of “overlays” or times when the odds we’re receiving on certain horses are better (or higher) than what we think are their chances of winning.

For example, if you think a horse has a 33% chance of winning a race, fair odds on that horse would be 2-to-1. However, if the same horse is walking into the gate at 3-to-1 odds or higher, this would be a very good bet – an overlay.

For Win betting, the game is as simple as that.

If you are a new to racing and want a cheat sheet for picking winners, pick up a copy of Dennis Miller’s tip sheet while you’re buying a race program. You’ll get his top three selections and best bets of the day.

Your racing program will also have some useful information, most obviously, the betting numbers you will need to call out to the teller. However, you’ll often get the jockey and trainer standings, which can also put you on a winning horse. The meet’s leading riders – guys like William Antongeorgi III, J.J. Hernandez and Irving Orozco – get placed on many of the best horses by their agents, who handicap the races to put their riders in the best position to win.

Also be sure to take a look at the horses in the paddock, the area to the left of the grandstand where the horses are saddled, to get an idea of how they’re looking and acting before a race. Once the horses are on the track, I like to see mine bouncing, on their toes, and alert with their ears pricked. This tells me they’re ready to go.

Last but not least, be sure to come out early enough to catch the races. We start at 1:45pm and the last race each day – except Saturday when we’ll have 11 races – will be the ninth at approximately 5:55pm.

Almost every day I work the grandstand someone will come up to me an hour after racing has ended and ask, “when’s the last race?”

Don’t be that guy this week because your next chance to bet the horses in Pleasanton might be next year.

 

I don’t consider myself thrifty or frugal, but I AM selective with how I spend my hard earned cash.  I definitely appreciate the finer things in life and place tremendous value on great experiences and amazing, good times. There are definitely things that must be added into this equation like bills, groceries, braces for the kids, car maintenance, home repairs and vet bills (for the dog that eats EVERYTHING), which affect an ever-diminishing budget.  I know I’m not alone. Your expenses might look a little different, but I’m guessing we have a lot in common.  So how can you afford those finer things and amazing good times when you don’t have unlimited funds?  GO TO THE FAIR.

Let’s start at the beginning.  You have to get here, right?  If you’re driving yourself, get discounted parking when you pre-purchase BEFORE the first day of Fair. I know I know, we’re two weeks in already.  Plan to save. Next year, remember to jump on the Fair website before the first day to take advantage of that discount.  Don’t worry, you can thank me in 2020.

If you’re a public transit guru, you’re saving already.  But did you know that the Fair partners with Wheels Bus to provide direct service from BART to the Fairgrounds?  You can also get 2 for 1 admission tickets on all buses and at the Downtown Livermore Transit Center.  Look at you, saving time and money!  https://www.wheelsbus.com/

Speaking of admission, there are so many discounted admission promotions that it’s hard to keep track.  Get to the Fair before 5pm on certain days and get discounted or even FREE admission.  Some days you can even score discounts on carnival rides.  Wednesdays are “drive” days.  From food drives to clothing drives, bring a little and get a lot.  Not only are you helping others but it’s good for the soul, and your pocketbook.

There is a special promo on July 4^th where all First Responders get in free and for all you Veterans out there, you guys are free every day! You can check out discounted and free admission promos here: https://acffairnew.wpengine.com/pricing-hours/#deals. Or, follow the Alameda County Fair on Facebook for special offers and giveaways, get deals on Groupon, LocalGruv or join the Fair newsletter for notices on discounts.

The top reason ya’ll visit the Fair is for the food.  Bigger, better, crazy, deep-fried, funky goodness.  You know you love it and you look forward to it from the time the Fair moves out of Pleasanton until it returns the following year.  If you consider yourself a foodie, have yourself a Costco style sample sesh by checking out the $2 Tastes on Thursdays. Why limit yourself to one pterodactyl size turkey leg when you can cram in a whole smorgasbord of scrumptiousness? Can’t make it on Thursday?  Walk the aisles of the retail shopping buildings and sample the dips, salsas, nuts, etc.  You can satisfy that after dinner sweet tooth with a huge piece of cake from the 4-H Cake Booth in Building A for only $2.75 and wash it down with a carton of milk for only $2.00 more. Score.

Looking for some top-notch entertainment at a great price?  Aside from all of the fantastic programming the Fair has to offer, such as competitive exhibits, animal showcases, Esports, STEAM education, roaming grounds acts, stage performances, food eating contests (say it with me…more free food), action sports, horse racing (etc., etc.), you can catch some phenomenal concerts for next to nothing.  Purchase a full price, reserved seat for as little as $15 and your admission is included (make sure you do this before hitting the admission gates), plus you get to see a great show! Word on the street is that if you show up to the Amphitheater early you might have a chance at winning some free swag or lower level seats. After the concert there is more entertainment, a short, heartwarming video dedicated to our wonderful community (Psst, that’s you guys) and a mini firework show nightly.

No matter what strikes your fancy or floats your boat, there is something at the Fair for YOU. There are many places you can spend your money this summer, but at the Fair you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck.  Plus, you’ll walk away with some great experiences and an amazing good time.

 

As a marketing intern at the Alameda County Fair, I get to catch a glimpse of all the fun things the Fair has to offer. I have seen everything you can name from free Horse Racing, to Nightly Concerts, to spectacular food, but I think my favorite location at the fair has to be Artisan Alley.

On one side of this alley there is all kinds of food, which I have to admit has been extremely hard to resist while working here. On the other side is a line up of incredible pop-up shops where I have spent most of my time exploring. I think my favorite part about Artisan Alley and the Fair in general is that it provides unique experiences that create lasting memories.

Since I was a child, I have attended the Fair with my family and I loved looking through the vendor booths to purchase a souvenir or find something new and fun to do. I am here to fill you in on a few places that made lasting impressions on me while working at the Fair this year.

1) Heart to Hands- Henna & Jagua 

This is a wonderful Henna Tattoo shop that does freestyle designs by hand for a small fee. The owner Pilar Pumar, said that this is her fourth time being a part of this fair and she has loved her experience. She told me that her booth, “gives an Oasis feel to the Fair Guests,” and she loves being able to provide relaxation to her clients in the midst of all of the excitement and fun.

2) Pinot’s Palette

This is a local business from Livermore that holds classes where you can paint, have a drink and have fun. While one of their goals is to teach someone how to paint, their main priority is for their guests to have fun. Currently, they are posted up at artisan Alley for the duration of the Fair and you can paint a canvas for $5 to take home with you!

3) SkyRiver Butterfly Exhibit

The Butterfly Exhibit is super fun and kid friendly. They charge $3.00 for admission and give each person that enters a feeding stick so you can have close interactions with real butterflies. This has been a guest favorite and continues to be a nice area for those who want to cool down, considering they have misters surrounding the perimeter of their spot.

On my daily walks from one task to the next, I always make sure to put Artisan Alley in my walking route. There are way too many enjoyable things to see and new memories to be made, so I love continuing to see what is new daily!

Make sure to stop by during your next visit to the fair, and maybe you will see me walking around!

At least once a week, after the crowds have filed out of the Stella Artois Grandstand and I’m locking up the bathrooms, someone will walk up to me and ask, “are the races over?”

I’ll laugh and say “yes, they’re over, but come back tomorrow. We start at 1:45.”

Everyone who asks this question does so with a genuine feeling of excitement, like there’s something they’ve been missing out on that they want to experience. There’s action, whether it be for sport or gambling, and they want in on it.

There’s a horse race every half-hour, contests and promotions that will keep the family entertained for a few hours each day, and a variety of experiences to be had depending on where you decide to set up camp. Here’s just a sampling of where you can sit and what you can do in the grandstand this Thursday through Sunday, and over the final week of the fair, July 4 – 7.

12 Noon – Horse Racing Seminar with Dennis Miller and Chris Griffin

The races won’t start until 1:45, but if you want to get a head start on picking winners, get to the front of the grandstand at noon where racing publicist Dennis Miller, track announcer Chris Griffin and a special guest or two will be dissecting the day’s races. In addition to giving out picks, they’ll be raffling off prizes like hats, t-shirts and fair tickets, so it’s quite possible you could be a winner before you even place a bet.

If you forget to write down who the panelists like, pick up a copy of Dennis Miller’s free tip sheet where the racing programs are sold. Miller has been a Bay Area sports writer and handicapper for decades and is our resident expert on the Northern California racing circuit, and horse racing, in general. If it’s your first time at the races, be sure to pick up a free copy of his yellow tip sheet at the program stands.

1:00pm – Pick your seats

The Stella Artois Grandstand has many options when it comes to seating, starting with free chairs on the track apron. The track’s “apron” is the paved area between the rail and grandstand, and many locals will bring their own folding chairs and stake out space in the shade to set up their home base for the day.

Didn’t bring a chair? No worries, mate, just grab one of the many freebies near the stairwells on the first level of the grandstand. Just don’t take it home with you.

If you’re looking for a more elevated view of the races, ascend one of the three main staircases to the second level. There you will find ample, bleacher seating on the right or left side of the box seats.

Looking for your own private box for the day? Reserved Box Seats are for sale daily, starting at about 1pm in the center of the second level grandstand, just across from the box seat area. For just $5 per seat, you can have your own private box close to the finish line, which is like sitting at the 50-yard line for a football game or center ice for a hockey game. And once you have your box seat ticket, you won’t have to worry about hearing the five words veteran race-trackers dread most:

“Sir, you can’t sit here.”

If you’re in the mood for a more refined dining experience than a corndog or turkey leg, but still want to be in the open air of the grandstand, check out the Trackside Terrace at the far right end of the second level. For $45 per person, you can enjoy a day at the races in a restaurant-style setting, with a sumptuous buffet style lunch and cash bar.

Looking to beat the heat?

For $5 more than Trackside Terrace, you can have the same experience in air-conditioned comfort in the all new Sky Lounge. Located on the 4^th floor of the grandstand, Sky Lounge offers spectacular views of Pleasanton racetrack, and multiple flat screen TVs give you the opportunity to watch and wager on races from around the country in an upscale lounge setting. For just $50 per person, you can spend the entire day eating, drinking and betting on anything that moves, whether it’s on the track right in front of you or on the opposite side of the country.

Depending on the day of the week, you’ll have 7 to 10 races to bet on at Pleasanton, and a variety of free contests for kids and big kids alike. Here’s a quick summary of the daily events in the Stella Artois Grandstand:

1:45pm – First race

The first or first two races at Pleasanton are often for “emerging breeds” – mules, quarter-horses or Arabians. You can tell the mules by the compact body and floppy ears. If you thought mules were too stubborn to race, think again. There’s enough horse breeding in them to fly 250 yards down the home stretch. If you happen to see a mule named Read My Lips on the first race of your program, it’s probably the best bet of the day. He’s won his last six races at Pleasanton, including the first race on opening day for the past two years.

2:50pm – Hippity Hop Race after the 3^rd race

If you have kids between 7 and 10-years-old in tow, they can sign up to compete in our Hippity Hop Race, which takes place after the third race, every Friday through Sunday. The Hippity Hop race takes place right on the racetrack in front of the grandstand, giving kids the chance to win fair tickets and a ride wristband. Your kids won’t want to miss a chance to feel what it’s like to bounce across a real dirt track in front a grandstand full of fans. Kids can enter at the Win-Place-Show booth on the first level, on the paddock side of the grandstand. There’s no Hippity Hop race on Saturday, June 29.

3:25pm – Putting Contest after the 4^th race

Kids don’t get to have all the fun in the grandstand, as we have contests for grown-ups, too. The first is the $10,000 Pleasanton Putting Contest. Enter at the Win-Place-Show booth before the 4^th race and your name could be drawn to attempt a 20-foot putt from our practice green in the infield. If you sink the putt or are one of three players who get closest to the pin after the 5^th of July, you’ll be invited back to the Finals on Saturday, July 6.

On July 6, the three qualifiers will attempt a 60-foot putt. If any finalist sinks the 60-footer, he or she wins $10,000!

Not bad for a free contest.

3:55pm – Beer Roulette (a/k/a Even/Odd $2 Beers) in the 5^th race

You might have heard of Horse Racing Roulette, but we’ve got a far more popular version – Beer Roulette in the 5^th race each day. Depending on the week – this week it’s odd numbered horses – the horse that wins the 5^th race could slash the prices of all draft beers to just $2 in the grandstand until the 6^th race goes off.

If you’re attending the races this week, June 27 – 30, any odd-numbered horse that wins the 5^th race will deliver $2 beers until the 6^th race jumps. If you’re attending the week of July 4-7, any even-numbered horse that wins the 5^th race will trigger $2 beers in the grandstand.

Even if you don’t have a bet on 5^th race, you can still root for $2 beers.

4:30pm – Win, Place and Show Contest after the 6^th race

Our most popular contest is Win, Place and Show, and it’s also free and super easy to play. Visit the Win-Place-Show booth, and drop your entry into the box with the number of the horse you think will win the 6^th race. If your horse finishes first, second or third, your name could be drawn from the corresponding box. If your horse wins and your name is drawn, you’ll win a $75 betting voucher. If your horse finishes second and your name is drawn, you’ll get a $50 voucher. If your horse is third and your name is called, it’s a $25 voucher.

It’s a FREE contest so there’s no reason not to sign up and play every day you attend the races at Pleasanton.

 

Most of us come to the fair for our yearly visit and stay for the day. Some may even enjoy several days of our 18-day fair. As an employee, I am here the entire run from early in the morning to well into the evening. What is the most popular reason to fair? THE FOOD! The funnel cakes, corn dogs, BBQ and deep fried treats are the best in the biz! As much as I wish, I could eat a funnel cake every morning for breakfast, a couple corn dogs for lunch and maybe a banana split for dinner…my pants have recommended otherwise. Many may suggest I leave the fair to go get my lunch somewhere else. While that is an excellent idea, I tried that once many years ago. My timing was impeccable and I chose a day when every parking lot was full when I tried to get back into the office. Never again, I said! With long hours and little time to cook, bringing my lunch is not consistent. My “hanger” is a real and eating is usually top priority.

I personally follow a low sugar way of eating. This requires me to get creative every day. I have been in charge of our fair time food for 5 years so luckily the concessionaires know that I am a little…um…weird…with my requests. I asked our pizza vendor last year to make me a crust less pizza…to which he replied, “You want just melted cheese and pepperoni?” Yes, a meat-za! From corn dogs minus the batter (also called a naked weenie) to the brisket potato minus the potato (this one you may to have to repeat a couple times)…I have found low sugar and secret items throughout the fairgrounds! I can snack on jicama and cucumber from our fruit stand (do not forget the lemon and tajin!) and even get a dessert of fresh whip cream on top of strawberries. Pony Expresso, our coffee vendor located at Green Gate, started a low sugar way of eating last year and now offers bulletproof coffee (coconut oil, coffee and heavy cream) as well as carrying stevia as an alternative sweetener option. Things as simple as asking for BBQ sauce to be on the side can take a cheat meal and make it a daily staple. Even our new teriyaki rice bowl vendor now knows my unique requests and has a meat and veggie only bowl for those of us who don’t want rice!

There are other more robust (and not low carb) options that are available but not always on the menu. Pepe Mariscos near our Amphitheater has one of the largest! From a chili relleno burrito (it is hands down the best burrito I’ve had) or torta, gringa tacos, fried fish tacos, Scotts nachos to an amazing crab cocktail. ANYONE can eat at the fair with just a little insider information and some selective choices. I cannot wait to be in line behind you when you ask for the brisket potato minus the potato, hehe.

Get Your Daily Dose of Fun!

Are you gastronomically gifted? Do you have the fastest baby in the West? Are you all dressed up in a fancy hat with nowhere to go? Get your Game On and sign up for any one or more of the Fair’s fun & fabulous contests!

I think one of the most fun things the Fair offers (and that a lot of people might not even know about!) are the Special Contests. These are real people contests that you, your kids, your friends and even your grandparents can join in and have a blast doing. Besides a scavenger hunt and baby racing contests, there are also plenty of opportunities to compete in creative competitions for painting, photography, poetry writing and soap carving.

A crowd favorite every year is always the speed-eating contest. The “challenge” food item for contestants changes every day, but is always some super decadent creation made by one of own food vendors. The last one was the Crazy Cake from Fat Fanny’s Funnel Cakes. The eating competition happens every afternoon at the Grandstand Stage and you can just sign up on the spot!

Whether you participate or just watch, the contests here are a ton of fun and some even offer big cash prizes. Take a look below and see how you can add a whole new level of fun to your Fair experience!

Some contests require advance sign up online and others can be joined in on the spot. While most are free, some do require a small entry fee. Most contests offer prizes.

Kids / Youth Contests

• Hippity Hop Racing (at the Track)
• Diaper Derby

Adult Contests

• Photos at the Fair
• Plein Air Painting
• Poems at the Fair
• On-the-Spot Salsa Making
• Soap Carving

For a complete list of contests and details, visit: https://acffairnew.wpengine.com/special-contests/

 

Do you know what I get to do at our fair?  I literally have the most delicious job in the word… I oversee our food concessions! I spend most of the year visiting other fairs in search of new and exciting cuisine to bring to Alameda County Fair.

What’s more important than great fair food at the Fair??? Not much! When you say the word “fair” most people immediately thing “corn dog!”  Do you dream about that once-a-year funnel cake or corn dog? MMMMMMM I do! Not only do I get to try our new foods but also I work with some of the most amazing folks in the industry. Hard working people who take pride in everything they do.  Great people and great food? Yup. Best. Job. Ever.

Each year we challenge our returning concessionaires to come up with something unique. Some of the past creations have been things like Fruity Pebble Shrimp, Smokehouse Tots and Strawberry Shortcake Milkshakes, just to name a few. Some of the new offerings coming this year will be delicious Acai Berry Bowls, Elote Dog, Fruity Pebble Shrimp Po’ Boi, Teriyaki Rice Bowls and a Hawaiian stand!

Many of the Fair’s most creative foods also end up in our speed-eating contests that are held almost every day in front of the Grandstands. The food contests are as tasty as they are fun, so be sure sign up for one while you are here. How many tots can you eat in 5 minutes? Let’s find out!

New for 2019, we will be putting together a special dietary requirement list. Did you know that almost every stand at the fair has some sort of vegetarian, pescatarian or wheat-free options? As someone with food sensitivities, I know how frustrating it can be to go out with your family or friends and try to eat. You know you can order a naked weenie at a corn dog stand, but if meat is not your thing, check out the incredible fresh fruit stand near the Green Gate entrance or grab an amazing salad at one of our Greek stands. If you have never had the ceviche from Pepe Mariscos, you are missing out on some of the freshest and tastiest seafood around.

If you could not tell, I am passionate about our fair and all of the great food here! I will see everyone at the Fair June 14 through July 7!

Is it lunch time yet? All this food talk is making me hungry.