Stanislaus County Fair takes to the sky. What you need to know about this year’s expo

Get ready for another 10-day slate of entertainment, arena events, carnival rides, food, livestock and more as the Stanislaus County Fair returns.

The fair is set for July 5-14 at the Stanislaus County Fairground in Turlock.

A new feature this year will have patrons looking to the sky for a special show on the first three nights of the expo.

The Patriotic Sky Spectacular on July 5-7 features a drone show with a choreographed performance of lights and music, creating aerial formations and visual displays.

It will hover over the Arena beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday and can be seen from across the fairgrounds, according to Marketing Manager Jose Piña.

“I think that will be kind of a highlight, starting off with the drone show,” he said.

The Friday and Saturday drone shows will be patriotic nights, he said, because of the Independence Day weekend. The Sunday show will feature a multicultural theme.

Last year’s fair drew more than 240,000 people, Piña said. He expects more this year for a variety of reasons, such as new promotions, expanded activities for children and discount admission days.

The grounds will open at 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, an hour earlier than in the past, and admission is just $5 before 5 p.m. those days. And people can attend the fair for free until 3 p.m. on Sundays.

On the entertainment schedule

The spotlighted music at the fair this summer features country, rock, Latin and R&B by high-profile artists.

Among the performers will be The Commodores, Lonestar, Jesus Ojeda, Great White and Scotty McCreary.

The usual popular motor sports again will fill the arena, along with a bloodless bullfight and a pair of rodeos.

Here’s a look at the entertainment planned for the Modelo Free Stage. Concerts are free with fair admission and begin at 8:30 p.m.

July 5: David Lee Murphy

July 6: Fuel

July 7: Jesus Ojeda

July 8: The Commodores

July 9: Lonestar

July 10: 38 Special

July 11: Scotty McCreery

July 12: Great White

July 13: All Time Low

July 14: La Septima Banda

Most events for the FoodMaxx Arena have ticket prices in addition to fair admission.

July 5: Super Pulls I: Pro-Modified and Tractors Class, 5:30 p.m. $14-$17

July 6: Super Pulls II: Pro-Modified and Tractors Class, 5:30 p.m. $14-$17

July 7: Portuguese bloodless bullfights followed by Portuguese musician Chico Avila, 6:30 p.m. $23

July 8: Destruction Derby I: Wreckage Warrior, 6:30 p.m. $14-$17

July 9: Dirt Drags, 6:30 p.m. $6

July 10: Monster Trucks I: Extreme Havoc, 6:30 p.m. $14-$17

July 11: Monster Trucks II: Brutal Force, 6:30 p.m. $14-$17

July 12: Destruction Derby II: Wrecking Rebel, 6:30 p.m. $14-$17

July 13: Humpz & Hornz: Bulls, Broncs and Barrels rodeo, 6:30 p.m. $14-$17

July 14: Hispanic Rodeo, 6:30 p.m. $11

There are other stages on the fairgrounds that will feature entertainment throughout the 10-day run, as well as strolling performers.

Along with exhibits, livestock shows and the popular midway rides, patrons can expect many of the traditional favorite food options, as well as some new ones, including Suds & Floats with specialty cream and ice cream sodas; and Dugans Pizza, which features deep-fried ravioli and chile verde pizza, Piña said.

The fairgrounds and buildings open at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon Saturday and Sunday. Buildings close nightly at 11 p.m., with the carnival and grounds closing at midnight.

The fairgrounds are at 900 N. Broadway in Turlock.

Fair general admission is $12 in advance for ages 13 to 64, $15 at the gate; $5 in advance ages 7-12, $7 at gate; $5 in advance for seniors, $7 at gate; free ages 6 and under. Parking is $10, cash only. Note the other discount admission information above and check out the fair website, stancofair.com , for other promotional pricing.

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