County Fair: Ferris Wheels, Cowboy Comedy, and Livestock

What it is: Held from , the 2011 Santa Clara County Youth Fair boasts non-stop entertainment and rides especially designed for children ages 11 and under. Kids and their families can watch entertainment ranging from a zany cowboy comedy troupe to a youth talent show, ride a Ferris Wheel, and see both cute bunnies and huge steers up close.

Where it is: Santa Clara County Fairgrounds at 344 Tully Road in San Jose.

What you need to know: “Kids Day” on Friday is jammed packed with entertainment such as two funnel cake eating contests (2pm and 6 pm) and Stick Horse Races (12 pm and 3 pm). There are free T-shirts and hats for the first 500 children 11 and under to enter the fair. A complete entertainment line-up is available online.

Highlights:
Entertainment: The daily “World of Music” exhibit will display over 300 ethnically-diverse musical instruments from around the globe. The cowboy improv comedy troop “Fables of the West” will be performing fun tricks on horseback throughout the fair every day at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.  

Animals: The Junior Livestock Auction on Saturday sells over 150 animals, which have been groomed and raised over the past year by the local 4-H and FFA Junior Exhibitors. For those who just want to look at animals such as dogs and rabbits, there is a Pet Parade on Sunday at 11 a.m.

When it is/What it is going to cost: The fair runs from Thursday, August 4, to Sunday, August 7 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.

While admission to the fair is free, each ride takes three to five tickets that you can purchase on the fairgrounds. Ride tickets are $23 for 25 coupons, and $70 for 80 coupons. There is also a Pay One Price ticket for $25, available for use only on the day of purchase.

Parking is $5 over the weekend, and free on Thursday and Friday.