Fair Play

The Stanislaus County Fair will encourage everyone to become a little greener this this year as part of its "Renewable Fun" theme.

The fair, which runs July 31-Aug. 9, will include displays and demonstrations on eco-friendly living, recycling and composting in addition to the usual carnival rides and livestock shows.

Pennie Rorex, fair spokeswoman, said the fair industry as a whole has been looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly.

"We felt it was important to take a look at that ourselves," she said.

For the first time this year, there will be free park-n-ride lots at California State University, Stanislaus, at Crowell Road between Monte Vista Ave. and Ansel Adams Boulevard and at Pitman High School, 2525 W. Christofferson Parkway. Air conditioned buses will depart every 15 minutes between 4:30 and 11 p.m.

On the final day of the expo, Aug. 9, the fair will give any adults $2 off the $10 admission if they bring six or more empty aluminum cans to recycle.

There also will be an 8,000-square-foot rain forest exhibit featuring live exotic animals, including sloth, kinkajous, chameleons, porcupines, toucans, anacondas, geckos, Capuchin monkeys and snapping turtles. Animals shows will be scheduled three times a day on weekdays and four times daily on weekends.

The lineup for the free headliner concerts includes country, Motown, classic rock, Christian music and Latin pop.

"The No. 1 thing we're looking for is variety," Rorex said. "We're looking for variety not only in the genre of music but in the age group it would interest."

The performers are classic rock act Grand Funk Railroad, country singer Mark Chesnutt and the Trailer Choir, Motown favorites The Four Tops, Christian pop band the newsboys, 1980s singer and former "General Hospital" star Rick Springfield, country singer Gretchen Wilson, Nat and Alex Wolff of Nickelodeon's "The Naked Brothers Band," country singer Josh Turner, 1980s pop band Huey Lewis and the News, and Latin pop singers Pablo Montero and Noelia. All concerts are included in the price of admission at the Budweiser Variety Free Stage.

Once again the festival will include Tuff Trucks and monster trucks, truck and tractor pulls, destruction derbies, a motocross, motorcycle jumpers and a rodeo in the FoodMaxx Arena.

New this year are Legends racing cars plus transforming robots, appearing Aug. 2. The Legend cars are body shells of cars from the 1930s and 1940s, powered by Yamaha motorcycle engines. Two transforming robots, named Galactron and Reptar, will drive into the arena as regular vehicles but will transform into 27- and 29-foot-tall flame-throwing robots.

Also on Aug. 2, families with children can attend two showings of "Nickelodeon's Nick Live." Like the popular TV show, the event will feature high-energy games and physical challenges. Audience members will be divided into teams. At the end, the captain of the winning team will get the honor of being doused with Nickelodeons trademark green slime.

Children's TV characters Dora the Explorer and Diego, popular with preschoolers, will visit the fair on Aug. 6.

Throughout the fair's 10-day run, attendees 55 and up and can visit a relaxation station that will have air conditioning and entertainment provided by Covenant Retirement Village residents.

Corndogs, nachos, cotton candy and an array of other popular fair foods will be offered, including the mini-donuts, which have not been available the last few years.

Those who plan ahead can get substantial discounts. For purchases made before 7 p.m. Thursday, adult fair admission is $8 ($10 at the gate) and unlimited ride wristbands are $23 ($30 at the gate). Rorex said the price is well worth the entertainment families can get in return.

"It's a lot of value for very little cost," she said.