Some of the area’s best livestock, crafts and entertainment will
be on display this weekend at the 80th Annual San Benito County
Fair.
This installment of the local fall tradition, which got under
way Thursday is expected to be a lively and entertaining three and
a half-day event the entire family can enjoy, said Kelley Ferreira,
chief executive officer and fairgrounds manager.
Some of the area’s best livestock, crafts and entertainment will be on display this weekend at the 80th Annual San Benito County Fair.
This installment of the local fall tradition, which got under way Thursday is expected to be a lively and entertaining three and a half-day event the entire family can enjoy, said Kelley Ferreira, chief executive officer and fairgrounds manager.
“This year we are expecting a good turnout,” Ferreira said.
The better turnout is expected in part because the fairgrounds has done much more advertising in an attempt to get the word out about the county fair.
Sunday has traditionally been a light day for the fair, so this year officials wanted to spread out the entertainment so that there would be top headliners performing every day and not just on one or two evenings.
The entertainment includes two shows Friday at 5:15 and 9 p.m. by Los Angeles-based group Escape – a tribute band that plays the hits made famous in the 70s and early 80s by the group Journey.
Escape tries to recapture the thrills that generations of fans remember from listening to the radio and attending performances by one of the world’s most memorable concert acts.
Also sharing the stage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be the unique stylings of singer La Deana.
This year Susan Rosen, a certified hypnotherapist, will put on a show that gives audiences a good-natured laugh at the subjects who suddenly react to the news that their trousers are on fire or that they are madly in love with a young woman sitting in the fourth row.
Rosen, who has performed throughout the country, Mexico and Canada, uses good judgment in suggesting what the volunteers do while in the trance or what they will do afterward from a post-hypnotic signal. The idea is to have good wholesome fun without hurting or humiliating anyone.
To go out with a nostalgic bang Sunday on Family Night at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m., audiences will be treated to the classic sounds of Johnny Baron and the Bel Aires.
The group’s rock ‘n’ roll revue brings back the excitement of the early days of rock.
The electrifying dance and show band is led by vocalist Johnny Baron, who promises to knock audiences socks off with energy, excitement and fun.
Playing music from the 50s, 60s, 70s and into the 80s, this group has played in stages at casinos like Caesar’s, Harvey’s and Harrah’s in Lake Tahoe; The Peppermill, The Nugget, The El Dorado and Balley’s in Reno to the Sacramento State Fair, County Fairs in Santa Clara, and San Mateo.
But Ferreira said the fair would not be possible without the efforts and hard work of the local volunteers.
He said that kind of community effort has also helped to foster the kind of community and family atmosphere at the fair that hs been free of serious violent incidents that are seen at many larger county fairs.
“We’ve been really really lucky, because a lot of other fairs have had issues and problems and different things,” Ferreira said.
Some of the fair’s biggest supporters are sitting on it’s Board of directors, who include: Ron Domingues, Sergio Garcia, Robert Graves, Sam Lomanto, Royce McFadden, Dennis Madigan, Ricardo Sanchez, Tom Slavich and Leanna Sylvia.
Here are some of the highlights from this year’s fair:
Friday
– Kid’s Day – Children 12 years old and younger are allowed in for free all day.
– Twilight Tasting – The San Benito County Winegrower’s Association will host the twighlight tasting event from 7-9 p.m.
– Tribute to Journey – The band Escape will perform at 5:15 and 9 p.m.
– Sue Rosen Hypnotist Show at 4 and 7:45 p.m.
Saturday
– Senior’s Day – Anyone who is 55 years old or older recieve $1 off of the admission price.
– Arm Wrestling Championships from 2-4:30 p.m.
– Jr. Livestock Auction at 3 p.m.
– Sue Rosen Hypnotist Show at 1 and 3:30 p.m.
– Truck pulls at 6 p.m. (aditional admission)
Sunday
-Ag-Hort Auction at 4 p.m.
– Sue Rosen Hypnotist Show at 2 and 5 p.m.
