There’s only one time a year when you can go on carnival rides, check out exhibits, see concerts and 4-H livestock shows, watch a rodeo and eat just about any type of fried food imaginable, all in one place.
That time is now and that place is the Pima County Fair, which runs April 14-24.
There is so much to see and do at the fair that you could go and have a blast on the cheap, says Launa Rabago, the fair’s entertainment and marketing manager.
“Fairgoers will be able to enjoy the fair for up to five hours just on free entertainment,” Rabago says. “The fair is more affordable than a regularly priced movie ticket.”
That’s what we love about the fair — aside from the funnel cake. There are plenty of ways to spend money, but you don’t have to drain your bank account to have a good time.
Concerts
From rock to country to rap, there’s something on the concert lineup for everyone.
“One family may be interested in attending a country music concert while another family is interested in a rap concert and another family doesn’t care about concerts at all,” Rabago said. “The fair really puts a lot of thought into the talent selection with the goal of reaching different audiences.”
Rock lovers will be happy to know that the 96.1 KLPX Fest, dubbed “Beers, Bands, Bikes and Babes,” has returned for its second year, starting at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 16. The lineup includes Ratt, Blue Oyster Cult, Quiet Riot and the AC/DC cover band, Noise Pollution.
Get there early and check out the Zapatistas MC AZ Invitational Show and Shine, where you can vote for your favorite motorcycle.
More of a country fan? No worries. Grab your cowboy boots and head to the fair on April 23 for “Boots, Beer, Bulls and Rockin Country.” The day starts with the rodeo at 1 p.m. Local country bands take the stage at 4, followed by Nashville duo LoCash at 6:30 and Texas country singer Clay Walker at 8.
That’s not all.
Rap and hip-hop fans can catch Nelly on stage at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 14.
Add a little Salt-N-Pepa to your fair experience. They’ll perform some of their best jams at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 17.
Fans of Kalin and Myles will not want to miss their 3 p.m. show at the fair on April 24. The duo recently announced that they are disbanding “to focus on individual aspirations.” Read their full statement on kalinandmyles.com.
Exhibits
What would the fair be without the exhibits and vendors? There’s art, animals, souvenirs, tractor pulls, car shows and more.
In addition to the traditional exhibits, the fair will often add an educational or socially relevant exhibit, Rabago said.
This year, to raise bullying awareness, the Pima County Fair is working with Family Diversity Projects, a non-profit organization that creates traveling exhibits to educate people about diversity. The group will showcase seven of its traveling photo-text exhibits about the diversity of family life in the United States.
“Love Makes a Family,” includes exhibits with portraits that include multiracial, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people with their families, along with people with disabilities and mental illness.
“Our message for families coming to the fair is simple: Respect every person no matter who they are,” said Peggy Gillespie, co-director of Family Diversity Projects. “We are all part of the vast and beautiful array of diversity, and there is no reason to hate anyone. We hope all people will leave the exhibit remembering that kindness, curiosity, and compassion toward all people is what can make this planet a more peaceful place.”
Each of the seven exhibits are available to travel to schools, colleges, libraries, and more, Gillespie said. Go online to familydiv.org for more information.
Food
The mingling aromas of funnel cake, barbecue and so much more, are the first things that greet you in the fair parking lot. And, we must admit, it’s always fun to see what’s new in the land of the deep-fried.
Deep-fried nachos are hitting the scene this year. The nachos are battered and fried until they are golden and crispy on the outside with gooey cheese on the inside. They are then topped with sour cream and guacamole.
Also new on the food front are Oreo funnel cakes and Oreo churros, deep fried mints, pork belly on a stick, spiral cut hot dogs and pickle fries.
Don’t worry, there are still plenty of classics like roasted corn, turkey legs and curly fries.
Rides
Some people are fine skipping the fair rides.
The ones who love rides, love the whole experience — the bright lights, colorful facades, the clicking sound of a roller coaster going uphill and the screams of fellow passengers as it speeds down the other side.
Ferris wheel fans can see the city lights from 110 feet in the air on the fair’s new “Grand Wheel,” which is making its debut in Tucson.
It features 24 gondolas that accommodate six riders each, and hosts a state-of-the-art LED lighting package with brighter and more vibrant color patterns than the fair’s previous wheel. It will cost 10 tickets to ride.
The “Grand Wheel” comes to the U.S. from the Netherlands. It took four trucks, each hauling a 53-foot trailer, to transport the ride from Houston, Texas.
“We are very excited to be premiering these new rides here in Tucson,” said Chris Lopez, vice president of Ray Cammack Shows. “We couldn’t ask for a better partner or better guests than here in Tucson.”
Beer Fest
Beer Fest, which benefits the Centurion Foundation, takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Bud Light Sunset Cantina Bar and Grill. In addition to beers from Arizona breweries such as Mother Road Brewing from Flagstaff and Four Peaks Brewing from Tempe, the event includes music, games, prizes and a souvenir cup.
It costs $15 for 10 tastes while supplies last.
