New-look Santa Barbara County Fair kicks off five-day run in Santa Maria
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Santa Barbara County Fair kicked off its annual five-day run in Santa Maria on Wednesday with a host of changes for fairgoers this year.
Earlier this year, the Santa Maria Fairpark announced this year's fair will feature a new innovative layout of the grounds, including new and revised attractions for what will be a larger event.
The new structure of the fair will expand its footprint by 40% across the Fairpark grounds.
"We wanted to shake things up this year for the community because we wanted them to have a fair that is the still the traditional fair that we're used to having, but also to just bring all of the community together," said Casey Douglass, Santa Maria Fairpark Public Relations. "We wanted to utilize more of the grounds so that we could just make the show bigger and better."
One of the most dramatic change that visitors will experience is a complete flip-flopping of the two carnival sections.
"We wanted to utilize more space and we wanted to grow it," said Douglass. "We have more rides than we're used to having. We've we've moved the adult rides to the back area where the kiddy carnival used to be, and then the kiddy carnival is up front because we have a whole new kidzone area up there."
Another significant change is grandstand entertainment will be moved inside the newly renamed Minetti Arena, which is now officially the Clarence and Rosalie Minetti Arena.
Previously, the main entertainment stage was located in the back of the Fairpark, near the livestock section, next to the kids carnival.
In addition, seats closest to the stage will be available only through ticketing, while seats in the bleachers will be free of charge.
In the past, shows were free to attend, but with the new entertainment set up, the best seats in the concert venue will need to purchased.
Arena entertainment acts this year are Lonestar, .38 Special, The Fray, Central Coast West Summer Jam and Jaripeo Quebradita.
"The concerts have been moved to the now rebranded Clarence and Rosalie Minetti Arena," said Douglass. "The grandstands are still free, so we're still providing some free entertainment for our guests, but we have special seating down on the floor and pit seating that anyone can, can purchase tickets for, so there's a purchase component this year that we aren't used to having, The idea to move it inside the arena was to give us more space because our concerts do get kind of crowded."
Another change that will be noticeable will be new sites for food booths and other entertainment attractions, which have shifted in some of their locations.
"They have mixed in some vendors here with with the food, to kind of mix things up a little bit," said vendor Michael Zude. "Over here in the grass area that they put up some vendors over there too, as well. next to the livestock. Having the food and the vendor combination, it's going to bring a good mix and hopefully the crowds."
One of the new highlights of the new-look fair is the addition of a new section called "La Placita," an Hispanic-themed entertainment area that is located next to the adult carnival area, where the old grandstand used to be.
"This is a nod to our Hispanic community," said Douglass. "You'll be able to get some some cool refreshments, and also, this is a great place to come and eat. We've got all of the different food vendors around. We've got picnic tables here for the whole community to just come and lounge and enjoy the free entertainment on the stage and also just kind of hang out. This is the hangout place."
The 131st Annual Santa Barbara County Fair runs from July 10-15.
Gates open at 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and at noon on Friday through Sunday.
Closing time each night is at 10 p.m..
For more information about the Santa Barbara County Fair, click here for the official website.
