The 2024 Sonoma County Fair Is "The Greatest Fair on Earth"
In case you missed or just didn't get enough of the Marin County Fair, you'll be happy to know that the 2024 Sonoma County Fair starts Thursday, August 1 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, and runs through Sunday, August 11. This year's Sonoma County Fair theme is "The Greatest Fair on Earth!"
The Sonoma County Fair is worth checking out if you've never been: it's bigger and a lot different than Marin's smaller, more intimate fair, and has more of an agricultural focus, which is natural for a more rural county like Sonoma. The Sonoma County Fair also features the largest themed flower show in the country, which is usually pretty stunning.
This year's Flower Show theme is "Cirque des Fleurs": each garden will take on a circus theme, and there will be waterfalls, volcanoes, and plenty of colorful circus fun. The flower show is truly spectacular, and includes 10 life-size animatronic dinosaurs as well as prehistoric backdrops. It's definitely a must-visit part of the fair this year!
The fair includes a kids' area with free age-appropriate entertainment, activities, craft projects, games, and more. This year it celebrates the circus with games, dress-up, hands-on art projects, and of course circus shows. The first 3,000 fairgoers through the gates on opening day (August 1) will get a free light-up clown nose!
There’s a kid-sized pirate ship to play on, plenty of lawn and shade as well as a parents rest station with changing tables and chairs for nursing. The Kids Area is open from 11 am to 8 pm, with activities and entertainment from noon to 6:30 pm. Young fairgoers can also enjoy free kids' shows, free Clover chocolate milk (from noon to 4 pm, while supplies last), and tour the fair in a horse-drawn wagon!
The fair also holds a daily parade around the grounds at 5 pm that all can participate in — if you want to join in, show up by the Family Fun Stage at 4:45 pm. Of course you'll also find plenty of other things to see and do, including the usual county fair offerings of concerts and live music, farm animal displays, contests, and tons of food, as well as horse racing, rodeos, a demolition derby, and Liberté, an amazing equestrian experience by the former lead trainer of Cavalia and the Ringling Brothers Circus.
The fair also boasts five acres of thrilling classic carnival attractions for all ages. Ride tickets cost $1 each, and each ride requires 3–7 tickets; unlimited wristbands are available for purchase in advance online and at the fair. The carnival opens at 3 pm on August 1 and noon on every other day.
Entertainment includes the Brews & Blues Lounge, the Honky Tonk Saloon, the Bourbon Street Brass Band, Los Hermanos Avilos, and fiestas in Shade Park. See the lineup here.
If You Go
The 2024 Sonoma County Fair is open from noon to 10 pm, Sunday–Thursday and noon to 11 pm Friday, Saturday and the first Sunday; gates close at 9 pm. Admission is $20 ($16 until August 2) for ages 13 and up, $13 for children 7–12, and free for children 6 and under. Special family, economy, and season pass packages are also available. Buy tickets online here. Carnival ride tickets cost $1 each (3–7 per ride); all-day carnival wristbands start at $35 and do not include fair admission. Special pre-sale prices available through July 31.
Fair admission will be free for kids ages 7–12 on Thursdays, August 1 and 8, and seniors 60+ on Fridays, August 2 and 9. Food Bank Day takes place Monday, August 5; bring at least 3 non-perishable food items to donate to the Redwood Empire Food Bank and receive $1 general admission (until 6 pm). Come on Barbie, Let's Go Party at the Fair Day is on Thursday, August 8; dress like your favorite Barbie or Ken and participate in Barbie activities, try a piece of pink cake, answer Barbie movie trivia, and get a special souvenir prize.
Some fair attractions, including headliner concerts, rodeos, and horse racing, are subject to additional ticket fees. Parking fees range from $15–$30, depending on the lot and its distance from the fairgrounds.
Outside food and drink are not allowed, but the fair offers a wide variety of food and beverages for sale. Unfortunately there are no water bottle filling stations available and reusable water bottles are not allowed; you can, however, bring in a sealed plastic bottle of water.
The Sonoma County Fairgrounds are located off Bennett Valley Road in Santa Rosa. To get there from Marin, take 101 north to Santa Rosa, then take the Highway 12 exit and head east; exit Highway 12 at the downtown Santa Rosa exit, which will put you on Bennett Valley Road. After the stoplight, you'll see fairgrounds ahead of you to your right.
For more information on the Sonoma County Fair, including a full schedule of events and a list of all attractions, call (707) 545-4200 or visit www.sonomacountyfair.com.
