A Frugal Approach to Sonoma County’s Fairs
Admission, rides, the miscellaneous food on a stick, the cotton candy you regret on the stomach churning coaster—fairs simply aren’t cheap. But they can be a summer tradition, and who wants to do without summer traditions?
Here are few tips for keeping a day at the Sonoma-Marin Fair or the Sonoma County Fair from being a budget buster (followed by information and deals for both the Sonoma-Marin Fair and the Sonoma County Fair):
Pick the fair food you can’t live without in advance, and plan to buy only that one. If the scent of kettle corn is firmly entrenched in your childhood memories, go ahead and splurge (and let your family members each decide the fair food they crave), but pack a lunch—and a dinner if you’ll be there for the long haul. Don’t pack alcohol or glass or metal containers—they’ll be taken from you at the gate. If you want to keep the Fair mood, put your lunch on a stick. C’mon, if they can fry Twinkie and put it on a stick, you can put a peanut butter sandwich on a wooden skewer. All’s fair in fair food.
- Pack water, twice as much as you think you’ll need. Freeze water the night before, and you’ll be thanking yourself when you are out in the sun the next day.
- Carpool. Parking is $6-$8 at the Sonoma County Fair and $5 at the Sonoma-Marin Fair.
- If your kids are small, and it’s not too long a drive, get your hand stamped, and go home for a nap in the afternoon. Everyone will enjoy an evening at the fair better after a rest. Or pack a blanket and pillow in the car, and find a shady stretch of grass nearby for a quick rest.
- If your kids are big enough to want to be on the rides all, day, go on a pay-one-price day for unlimited rides. (The Sonoma-Marin Fair is always one price all day.)
- If your kids are small enough to get tired quickly, pick instead a special price day, and pay for the rides separately. The Sonoma County Fair offers free admission to kids on both Thursdays).
Sonoma-Marin Fair June 23-27, 2010
At the Petaluma Fairgrounds. Take Highway 101 to the Washington Street Exit. Proceed west on Washington to the Fair. The Fair is just two blocks west of Highway 101
Follow signs to Parking.
Parking at the Sonoma-Marin Fair is $5.00 and benefits the Petaluma Sea Scouts.
Hours:
Wednesday, June 23, 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Thursday, June 24, 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday, June 25, noon to midnight
Saturday, June 26, noon to midnight
Sunday, June 27, noon to 11 p.m.
Gates close to entry at 10 p.m.
Admission includes unlimited rides
Adults (13 and older)……………………………………….. $15
Juniors (4-12)………………………………………………….. $10
Seniors (65 and older)………………………………………… $8
3 and under……………………………………………………… Admitted Free
Sonoma Marin Special Deals:
Everyone’s a Kid Day………………………………………… $10 (Wednesday before 5 p.m.) Senior’s Day……………………………………………………… $2 (Thursday, all day)
Sonoma County Fair July 27-August 8, 2010
Just off 101 at the Hwy 12 eastbound exit on Bennett Valley Road. ATATMS are available in the Fair.  Gates open daily 11 a.m. – 9 pm. Carnival open daily 11 am. – 10 pm. Exhibit buildings open 11 am. -10 pm.
TICKETS: General admission (ages 13 and up) $9; Children (7-12) $3 (Free on Thursdays); Kids 6 and under FREE. Seniors 60 & up free on Tuesdays,
Parking: Pavilion Lot – $8 Median Lot – $8 Veterans Lot – $6 Brookwood Lot – $6
Sonoma County Fair Special Offers:
Discounts for advance tickets to the Sonoma County Fair
Through July 26 you can purchase discounted admission and carnival coupons online (though processing fees may apply)
Pay One Price Days
On Tuesdays, Wednsdays and Thursdays, you can get a wristband for unlimited rides for $25.
Chose Your Discount on Friday
The wristband for unlimited rides doesn’t work all day on Friday; you pick either 11 am to 5 pm  or 5 pm to 11 pm, for $20. You can turn in your daytime wristband on Friday and get an evening one for an additional $15—so basically, the Friday Wristband all day option is more expensive than Tuesday-Thursday. But if 6 hours was plenty for you anyway, you save $5 over Tues-Thursday wristbands.
Dollar Monday
On Monday Aug 2, pay $1 per ride, or exchange a carnival pre Sale coupon for 20 rides.
Monday – Friday HERO DAYS at the Sonoma County Fair
Active duty Police, Fire and Military personnel (along with up to 4 family members) can purchase a special wristband good for unlimited rides for $15 any weekday (M – F) of the Fair. Credentials are required to receive the discount.
Groups of 10 or more Save at the Sonoma County Fair Races
Save 20% when you bring a group of 10 or more to the races. It’s just $10 per person for fair admission and a seat in the racing grandstand when you order in advance.
Food For Haiti Monday – Friday only
Helm & Sons is collecting food for earthquake victims in Haiti. Two cans of food are good for one free ride; one grocery bag full of cans ($25 value) is good for one wristband.
Kids Are Free on Thursdays at the Sonoma County Fair
Children 7-12 admitted to the Fair free on both Thursdays. Kids 6 and under are free every day.
Become a Fair Volunteer
The Sonoma County Fair is seeking volunteers for the summer fair, July 27 to August8, 2009. Volunteers will be asked to commit to 4 hour shifts, must attend a training session in July, and must be at least 18 years old. Volunteers will receive passes to the fair, a t-shirt and will be treated to a reception at the conclusion of the fair. For more information email sheila@sonomacountyfair.com
