Food, rides, music, rodeos all at county fair

Special grandstand entertainment included free with paid fair ticket

Breathe in the ocean air—not to mention the sweet smell of kettle corn and funnel cakes— during the 144th annual Ventura County Fair, which runs through Sun., Aug. 11 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura.

The fair’s theme is “A Country Fair With Open Air.” On tap are carnival games and rides, exhibits, vendors and livestock shows. There are concerts, too, which are free with fair admission.

Special admission days with discounts include:

Thurs., Aug. 1: “Feed the Need” Food Drive.” Bring five cans of food to donate to FOOD Share and get a free return ticket to the fair, good Aug. 5 to 8.

Fri., Aug. 2: Youth Day. Children under 12 are admitted free all day.

Tues., Aug. 6: Seniors (62 and up) and Persons with Disabilities are admitted free all day.

Wed., Aug. 7: “$3 Before 3” Day. Admission is $3 until 3 p.m.

Thurs., Aug. 8: Military Appreciation. All military personnel holding a current, valid military ID are admitted free all day.

Carnival Wristband Days are Aug. 1, 5, 6 and 8. A $35 wristband, good for unlimited carnival rides, can be purchased until 7 p.m.

Grandstand concerts and rodeos are free with paid admission to the fair. The lineup is:

Thurs., Aug. 1: Martina McBride

Fri., Aug. 2: Melissa Etheridge.

Sat., Aug. 3: The Ohio Players with The Emotions and Evelyn “Champagne” King.

Sun., Aug. 4: Banda Carnaval, Luis Coronel and Cuarto de Milla.

Mon., Aug. 5: X Ambassadors.

Tues., Aug. 6: Tommy James and the Shondells.

Tues., Aug. 6: Brothers Osborne.

Wed., Aug. 7: Daughtry.

Thurs., Aug. 8: George Thorogood and the Destroyers.

Fri, Aug. 9: Collective Soul.

Sat. and Sun., Aug. 11 and 12: Rodeo Days. PRCA Pro Rodeo presents two shows each day.

Free shuttle service to the fair is available at sites in Oxnard and Ventura. Visit website below for locations and parking fees, if any. Wheelchair capable busing is available from all sites.

Visit venturacountyfair.org or call (805) 648-3376 for ticket information, entertainment schedules and shuttle service routes.