Alameda County Fair

I have always found it a bit ironic that I rarely go to the County or State Fairs in California but always make an effort to go the Mau`i Fair (fka Mau`i County Fair) if it is while I am on island.  The main initial draw was originally the entertainment as they always have first rate Hawaiian musicians performing like the Makaha Sons, Keali`i Reichel, Ekolu, and Mark Yamanaka and even in the audience like the late Uncle Richard Ho`opi`i. 

This year, thanks to a family four pack from Yelp, I finally got to return to the Alameda County Fair after 20 years.  Just like the Mau`i ones, they have some great old school entertainment as well like En Vogue, Leann Rimes, and what we were treated to, Sir Mix A Lot that was a throwback to the days of KMEL Summer Jams for him and me. 

 

 

 

The 8pm concert at the amphitheater, where this year they had more organized assigned seating, sandwiched between fair food like turkey legs,

 

 

 

corn dogs,

 

 

 

funnel cakes

 

 

 

before and albeit too short fireworks

 

 

 

but more food like street tacos,

 

 

 

elote,

 

 

 

and churro gelato sandwich

 

 

after, it makes me wonder why I waited this long. 

Since it is normally a scorcher in Pleasanton during the summer, Sunday evenings lived up to the city’s name with the cooler temperatures and less of a crowd with no lines for the rides and games. 

 

 

Pleasant indeed, and a reminder to check out what is closer to my own backyard. 

Alameda County Fair open Wed-Sun until 7/8/18 11AM-11PM except for 7/4 closes at 6PM- http://alamedacountyfair.com/