Sonoma County Fair

My kids and I went to the Sonoma County Fair yesterday. I always try to make it for at least one of the Tuesdays because everyone gets in free before 3 p.m. and then you can buy a wristband for $20 and ride all the carnival rides you want. What a deal! (The wristband specials are also available on Thursdays.)

Of course, as always, there just wasn’t enough time in one day to see everything the fair has to offer. Luckily, the event runs for 2 weeks, through July 30, plus there’s another week of horse racing after that. So, we’ll be back.

Yesterday, my son and I made a deal. I endured the piercingly loud, awful music and claustrophobia-inducing crowds at the Midway so he could go on the carnival rides. And he, in turn, was dragged over to the Hall of Flowers so I could enjoy some peace and beauty. It wasn’t a fair trade. The Hall of Flowers exhibit was much too entertaining for my son, who got a kick out of all the Snoopy scenarios. (The theme this year is “Snoopy’s Garden of Dreams.”) So, I still seek my revenge. I tried threatening him with having to sit through an “old-timers” concert like Eddie Money (who’s performing tonight). No luck. It turns out my son really likes the song “Two Tickets to Paradise” which he heard Homer singing on an episode of the Simpsons. Doh!

Photo by Martin Walls