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Community Corner

Santa Cruz County Fair Kicks Off This Week

The fair starts on Tuesday and will feature new food vendors and masked wrestlers as well as the all-time classic shows and exhibitions.

 

For over a hundred years the Santa Cruz County Fair has been one of the most anticipating events to come to come to Watsonville and every year people look forward to the fast and thrilling carnival rides, at times rigged game booths, extraordinary exhibits, savory and delicious food, entertaining shows, and last but definitely never the least, the live stock.

The fair will start on the usual second Tuesday of September and according to volunteer Sharon Hayashi, this year will feature the most food vendors ever hosted inside the fairgrounds.

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“What excites me the most about the is that it continues to operate with a huge number of volunteers so that the fairgrounds can provide a multitude of programs for our youth, our seniors and every age group in-between,” she said. “The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds is not only an event center, but it is an evacuation center. Our community has rallied to support the fair and its mission.

Apart from the usual goodies like deep fried artichoke hearts, corn dogs, garlic fries, chocolate dipped ice cream cones, soft pretzels, and tri-tip sandwiches, the SCC Fair will feature new additions like duck tacos, wood fire pizza, and old fashion ice cream made with by a hit and miss engine.

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This unique method of making ice cream is a great feature addition to the fair and blends in perfectly with the event’s atmosphere.

Another new addition to the SCC Fair according to 25 year volunteer Lynne Grossi is a remapped layout of the grass area where vendors usually set up to sell shirts, jewelry, art, and other neat looking accessories to make way for a miniature golf course.

This was brought it to give the grown ups a chance to look around while in the meantime the kiddos are playing nine holes near by.

The All Alaskan Racing Pigs will be back of course along with all the 4-H and FFA live stock shows, the Rose Garden, and the quilting and knitting demonstrations inside the Crosetti Building.

Every night at 7:30 p.m., the SCC Fair will feature a new main attraction up on the main stage and on Tuesday Divas of the Decades will start things off. Wednesday night belongs to the Lost Trailers then Antsy McClain and The Trailer Park Troubadours will take the stage on Thursday night. Friday night will be The White Album Ensemble and J.T. Hodges will end the concert series on Saturday.

Sunday night is reserved for a smashing event that will feature some of the most highflying entertainers on earth with amazing wrestling skills and even some of the slickest dance moves around.

The Pro Wrestling Revolution, or also known as “La Revolucion de la Lucha Libre”, will come to Watsonville and the two have a recent history together when the company filmed their first show in 3D ever.

All of these great new ideas and classics came to life thanks to SCC Fair management team member Dave Kegebein. And according to Hayashi, his dedication to the fair’s success is moving his up the management ladder quickly.

“Dave has volunteered his time to manage the fair and has put together a team of volunteers to work hand in hand with him to support this vital community asset,” she said.

Kegebein’s lively spirit and commitment to keep the SCC Fair alive also makes sure that the kids get a chance to experience the days of the past.

A total of 5000 students from Bradley Elementary School will come in on Tuesday and Wednesday for a chance to take part in science projects, farming projects, and a touch-and-smell table.

As for Hayashi, this is only her second year as a volunteer for the fair but she understands the importance of why the biggest show goes on and whom it belongs to.

“The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds provides for our community because the community is our biggest asset,” she said.

 

 

 

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