Marin County Fair 2009: Cool Green Fun

It’s time again for the Marin County Fair at the Marin County Fairgrounds in San Rafael. This theme for this 64th fair is "Cool Green Fun." Highlights include a solar powered carousel and stage, the Big Green Magic Show by Steve Trash, science fun and education with Wizard's Challenge, recycled arts and crafts, an electric car display, and more!

Of course there are also the more traditional fair offerings like farm animals and Hambone Express pig racing in the barnyard, 28 free (with fair admission) carnival rides, the 20th annual Creatures and Models exhibit, concerts, fine arts, and of course the nightly fireworks display.

This year's Marin County Fair runs from Wednesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 5, 11 am to 11 pm daily.

Admission

Adults $14, senior citizens 65 and older and children ages 4 to 12 $12, and children under 4 free. All admission prices include the exhibits, entertainment, fireworks and rides. They accept Visa and Mastercard at the gate for admission, and there is a Westamerica Bank ATM inside the fair’s main gate. You can also order tickets online in advance from Ticketmaster.com.

Special Event Days

• Wednesday, July 1: Youth in Arts Day, with free admission for all children 12 and under. July 1 is also Marin IJ Day. Visit marinij.com and click on the Marin County Fair button to print out your coupon for $2 off fair admission.
• Thursday, July 2: Family Day and Comcast Day. A coupon for $2 off fair admission will be included in June Comcast statements.
• Friday, July 3: Dairy Day
• Saturday, July 4: Arts Day
• Sunday July 5: International Day

Concert Schedule

The Marin County Fair is well known for bringing in musical acts that often transcend the typical county fair offerings, all included in the price of admission. Check out the 2009 lineup:

• Wednesday, July 1
  Creedence Clearwater Revisited, 7:30 pm
• Thursday, July 2
  The Motels featuring Martha Davis, 5 pm
  Berlin starring Terri Nunn, 8 pm
• Friday, July 3
  Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 3 pm
  The Wailers, 7:30 pm
• Saturday, July 5
  Hot Buttered Rum, 3 and 5 pm
  Sha Na Na, 7:30 pm
• Sunday, July 6
  Preservation Hall Jazz Band, 2 and 4 pm
  Los Lobos, 7:30 pm

Getting There

The Marin County Fairgrounds are located near the Marin Civic Center in northern San Rafael, right off Highway 101. Parking is $6 in all lots. For directions, visit the Fair's directions page. The Marin County Fair is also serviced by several different Golden Gate Transit bus lines, and there will be a free hourly shuttle with a zero-emissions bus from the San Rafael Transit Center and the Smith Ranch Park-and-Ride every day of the Fair. For more transit and shuttle info, call 511 or visit www.goldengate.org.

More Info

For more information on this year's Marin County Fair, visit www.marinfair.org or call (415) 499-6800.