No Turkey of a Farmers Fair

Fifty years ago, farmers and their families flocked to the Hemet Utility Turkey Show. The show proved quite popular, but the name had to go. In 1946, it was changed to the Farmers Fair of Riverside County, with less emphasis on turkeys and more on family fun. The fair moved from Hemet to larger digs at the Lake Perris Fairgrounds, where it remains today.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary, the Farmers Fair will honor the early days with an exhibit of photographs, antique furniture and farm equipment. There will also be a reunion of past Farmers Daughters. With that bit of history under your belt, you can set out to enjoy the modern-day attractions--including carnival rides, sprint cars, monster trucks, pig races, a pro rodeo and a demolition derby.

Headline entertainment is planned most evenings, with Sparx, Glen Campbell, Weird Al Yankovic, Creedence Clearwater Revisited and Collin Raye among them.

Fair hours are Fridays, 4 p.m.-midnight; Saturdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-midnight, through July 21. Call for weekday schedule. Lake Perris Fairgrounds, 18700 Lake Perris Drive, Perris. Admission is only 50 cents for Friday, opening day. One-price pass for rides is $15 Mondays-Thursdays; $18, weekends. Regular admission: $6; seniors, $1 off weekdays; ages 6-11, $3. Seniors Day is Monday, $3; Kids Day is Wednesday, 17 and younger, free from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.. Other discounts available. Parking, $3. (909) 657-4221.