LAKEPORT >> Lake County’s premiere end of summer event, the Lake County Fair traditionally occurs Labor Day weekend each year at the fairgrounds in Lakeport. The 2017 fair dates are Thursday, August 31 through Sunday, September 3.
Lake County Fair is one of Lake County’s favorite summertime events enjoyed by more than 36,000 people each year. The Fair features a variety of entertainment, food, exhibits, a carnival, and livestock shows. Local musicians can be found playing in several venues during just about any hour of the event.
Special features for the 2017 Fair include the Junior Livestock Auction and a huge aquarium stocked with local fish from Clear Lake. Fair goers can also expect appearances by a variety of musical acts and attractions on the Lake Co News Stage and the Mediacom Gazebo Stage, a variety of maker demonstrations and walk on contests for the kids. Watch for the strolling entertainment and don’t forget the Grandstand shows.
Fair buildings and grounds swell to bursting with the thousands of displays made, grown, or raised for entry by talented residents both young and young at heart.
The annual Junior Livestock Auction takes place on Saturday, September 2 at 1 p.m. in the Baldwin Pavilion. Businesses and individuals are invited to bid on the prize-winning livestock raised and exhibited by local youth. Various livestock species are displayed throughout the fair, including swine, beef, sheep, goat and horse exhibits from local 4-H and FFA exhibitors.
Small animals are represented as well, with chickens, turkeys, and rabbits, all residing in the barn areas.
A public safety area will feature displays from a variety of agencies. The area is located near the C Street entrance to the fairgrounds, and features displays from the California Highway Patrol, California Division of Forestry, the Clearlake Police Department, and climbing demonstrations from K-Corp. There will be daily appearances by Smokey Bear.
A fair parade, the kick-off event for the annual Lake County Fair, starts at Natural High in Lakeport, travels south on Main Street, and ends at the main gate to the fairgrounds with the ribbon cutting ceremony performed by the Grand Marshalls, Ruth Stewart, Jane Alameda, Robert “Bob” Renker and Chuck Doty (posthumously), all are Directors of the Lake County Fair Foundation created in 2015. Included in the Grand Marshal honor is Junior Director, Erica Illg.
All the Grand Marshals are all long time fair supporters through a variety of volunteer work or participation at the fair or Junior Livestock Auction. Junior Director, Erica Illg donated an animal to the Lake County Fair Foundation as a fundraiser in 2015.
The parade, which occurs at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, is open to all individuals, businesses and organizations. Participants of the parade receive free admission to the fair upon arrival at the Jepson gate. Go to lakecountyfair.com for parade entry forms or contact the fair office at (707) 263-6181.
Regular admission prices for the fair are $12.00 for adults and $8.00 for children ages 6 through 11. Children under 6 years old are admitted free each day. Parking is $9 per car which benefits local Boy Scouts.
More fair information can be obtained at www.lakecountyfair.com or on Facebook.
