Marin County Fair

While visiting a small town in Marin County California recently, I was prompted to stop by the Marin County Fair. I was told that the fair was famous for it's 'world of magic', with exhibits and interactive experiences, all for the delight of both young and old. Marin County is a wonderful, magical place located in beautiful Northern California, and I always love visiting here.

The county is a true wonder of natural beauty; mountains, landscaping and blue skies, and lots of rivers and lakes.

All fairgoers immediately enter an enchanted world and explore the magic and wonder of science in a new interactive experience. The fairground areas are easily accessed, with much improved traffic flow, more open space and plenty of shaded areas to relax and just enjoy everything surrounding you. With over 110,000 fairgoers attending this year, the overall experience was wonderful. There are so many exciting events and attractions at this 2006 Marin County Fair that it’s hard to decide what to see and do first.

A few of the Classics and Fair favorites are;

*Home Arts Stage, where talented and inventive Marin County residents learn from and share their special talents and experience with one another.

Everything from flower arranging, cake decorating, and other demonstrations abound.
* Bonsai is Big;

The Marin Bonsai Club presents a fabulous show of high caliber bonsai trees to the Fine Arts and Crafts. Some of the featured trees are over 100 years old! This is worth seeing. Bonsai classes are also held in the Exhibit Hall.

*Carnival Rides – Mild to Wild!

Kids of all ages won’t want to miss all the thrilling carnival rides at this years Marin County Fair.

*A Great Midway – with over 28 fun free rides and carnival games. Do not pass up the rides which range from heart pounding thrill-rides to gentle, child-friendly rides. All operated by clean and friendly attendants with safety at the forefront.

I was amazed by the views of the Fairgrounds from atop the Giant Wheel, which is a 10 story high Ferris Wheel.

*Fine Arts, Fine Crafts and Photography;

This show has been a tradition since the days of the Marin Art & Garden Fair in Ross, and is one of the best of any county fair in California. Over 1,000 entries are judged in this popular 500 to 600 piece show, featuring painting, graphics/mixed media, sculpture, glass, jewelry, furniture and digital art.

*Barnyard Arts;

The unique arts program returns this year to introduce urban and suburban children to farm animals while they create an original masterpiece.

Oh yes ! Many NEW ATTRACTIONS were added this year.

The 61st edition of the Marin County Fair celebrates with numerous attractions, interactive exhibits, and contests that take a fun look at magic and wizards. Along with traditional fair favorites (thrilling carnival rides, delicious food, loveable farm animals and dazzling fireworks), exciting magic competitions and wizardry challenges were certainly the highlight of this years fair.

Bigger Fireworks Show:

I was in awe as the sky above the Fair illuminated with the new It's Magic! show. This is the longest, most elaborate fireworks spectacular ever staged over the lagoon. Using the skies as its canvas, this truly immersive entertainment experience celebrates this years theme of the wonders of magic with an incredible musical score, dramatic state-of-the-art pyrotechnics and new fireworks designs. The fireworks take place every night of the Fair, shot off from three barges on the lagoon in a low-level, safely choreographed extravaganza of music, rockets, Roman candles, comets, meteoric showers and spectacular bursting cascades all beautifully reflected in the water below.

Marin Arts Council:

The Marin Arts Council screened a DVD about 'Finding Marin': Stories of Home, available free to fairgoers. This ambitious, two-year oral history project brought artists together with hundreds of individuals and community organizations to explore the concept of home.

Magic Show Contests for Adults & Kids:

If you've always dreamed of being a master magician like David Copperfield or the great Houdini, this was certainly the place to get ready for Magical Marin, a fun new competition for adult contestants.

As you meander through the fantastic fair complex you enter an enchanted world of Wizards & Dragons as you explore the magic and wonder of science. This new and highly interactive experience was created by popular demand due to the immense interest in the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings books and film series.

Many talented strolling magicians perform their amazing feats of magic right before your eyes all over the fairgrounds creating a wonderful and lasting experiences to take with you when you leave.

The food this year was great, with diversity of flavors and origins like never before.

The food vendors all worked together again this year to offer and promote healthy food choices at the Fair. Vendors have been provided guidelines, awards and incentive prizes to help them promote and include colorful fruits, vegetables, whole grains and foods with less fat and sugar in their menus.

The best feature of The Marin County Fair this year was that you pay one price for everything which covered all concerts, entertainment, 28 carnival rides, fireworks and the free exhibits making this a truly affordable, family-friendly place to come to.

There is no doubt about it, I will be back next year and will be telling everyone what a great time there is to be had at the Marin County Fair.