Ventura County Fair Is Fairly Bursting With Fun Adventures

This fair is everything from a diaper derby to messy hot dogs to a slick, exciting super slide. It’s not just for children, but they are the ones who enjoy it most--perhaps with the exception of some of the toddler contestants.

The 110th annual Ventura County Fair, which opened last Thursday at Seaside Park in Ventura, has 40 acres of arts and crafts exhibits, demonstrations, contest areas and entertainment stages revolving around its 1985 theme, “Oceans of Fun for Everyone.”

An exhibit about the births of calves, recipe contests, sold-out concerts by Willie Nelson and Tina Turner and other events are expected to attract 400,000 visitors to the fair during its 11 days.

Besides the traditional horse shows and livestock auctions, koi carp will be exhibited and judged for the first time. Organizers also have scheduled contests for competitors ranging from young 4-H members raising their first livestock to grandmothers wanting to show off their favorite cookie recipes.

The fair, scheduled to close Sunday night, is open from 10 a.m. to midnight.