The Santa Clara County Fair is returning to its roots next week
with reinstated fireworks shows, larger animal competitions, more
on-stage entertainment and the most carnival attractions it’s
offered in years.
San Jose – The Santa Clara County Fair is returning to its roots next week with reinstated fireworks shows, larger animal competitions, more on-stage entertainment and the most carnival attractions it’s offered in years.
“We’re going back to our traditional fair roots,” said fair manager Ray Lueckeman. “We don’t have a small fair anymore. We are bringing in entertainment at the same level as before we started shrinking.”
The Santa Clara Fairgrounds Management Corp. hold the five-day event Aug. 1-5, topping last year’s scaled-down version, which ran for three days. Organizers are shooting for more than 80,000 people to attend. Last year, less than 35,000 went.
“We’re going to have something going on at all times,” Lueckeman continued. “The entertainment level is much greater than it has been in several years … a lot more animal acts, a sea lion show, a dog show, a lot of musical acts.”
Blues bands are booked to play everyday starting at 1pm, and headline acts include Elvin Bishop, Gregg Rolie, Sha Na Na, Starship with Mickey Thomas and Jamie O’Neal.
Organizers are also bringing back carnival rides and fireworks shows that were canceled last year.
Exhibits manager Delana Romero said more animals, vegetables and arts and crafts have been entered this year compared to last year. A total of 728 cattle, horses, swine, goats, sheep and other large animals have been entered. Additionally, 277 rabbits, cavies, pigmy goats and poultry have been entered into competitions.
