1. Introduction - Ocean View
2. Overview of the County Fairs' Main Attractions!
3. A Military Welcome!
4. Is there REALLY alot to keep the Kids busy? (Ha Ha Ha - Really!!!)
5. Horses, competitions and Awards! (Antiques! too!)
6. Exquisite Vendors and their shops...."I've never seen these before...."
7. More Unique Vendors....
8. Unusual Foods, Exemplary Food Products and More!!!
9. Carnival rides, Games and BIg, Big, Big PRIZES!!! WOW! "OMG!"
10. A County Fair has Animals...all kinds, all sizes of Animals...Lots of cute photos! Kids and animals go together!
11. Music....Live Bands!
12. Keep scrolling down the pictures until you see the Goodbye sign, this is a long Hub!
13. Please add your comments at the end?

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Anyone living or visiting Los Angeles or Ventura County areas need to find a way to get yourself and loved ones to this years' County Fair! I say this because I did drag a very tired husband and two extremely reluctant teenagers to the Fair today and experienced the most wonderful metamorphosis a family could have! The kids were invigorated by the fresh sea air and five music Stages, lots of exciting rides and game booths and what a variety of food and snack choices! My husband saw a favorite Entertainer, had a couple of "cervezas" (beers) and got "nose to nose" with some extraordinary stallions.

It was obvious the mood of this "late summer-bored family" had not only elevated to great enthusiasm, but the process of cell-phone text messaging between all family members brought us together at several attractions! "Mom you gotta see this..." "Honey, meet us at the Photography exhibits," "Dad, did you try the Itallian Gelato, it's made on the spot!" This is an event planned, designed an carried out with an eye for detail and excellence. There are blue ribbon competitions of all kinds, but I say the committee that works out this event each year deserves the biggest and best Blue Ribbon this year!

Transportation has been made with convenience in mind, if you drive, there is plenty of parking everywhere, because the entire town has adapted to this annual tradition, and also the "drop off" point is a short walk to the front entry of the Fairgrounds. Amtrak service stops at the train station right across the street from the main pedestrian entrances on Harbor Blvd.

At the entrance you can rent large plastic wagons to pull the kids for $8. to $13. for the whole day! They also rent wheelchairs inexpensively and even electric chairs for people who have difficulty walking, $45. for the entire day!

Bathroom facilities are handicapped ready and kept clean consistently, always plenty of the necessary amenities in all restrooms as well.

The Pacific Ocean air in Ventura is clean and fresh, and the weather during the month of August is nearly always mild during the days and in the evenings. I can't decide when I enjoy the Fair more, during the day you can see the ocean and mountains and beautiful sky views, but at night the beautiful carnival lights are shimmering and lighting up the night sky like the Fourth of July Fireworks! Coming later in this Hub will be a summary of the Entertainment lineup, all Nationally known and many world renown entertainers! There will also be a section describing the foods and treats made right there in front of you from donuts to fudge, from grill-roasted sweet corn to BBQ of all kinds....foods of all cultures and well, I can't think of anything that was NOT there!

There are many special values such as special days when admission is $1.00 per person, second day return for free days, a special day for the military personnel, admission free! All Entertainment is free, where else can you see David Cook, winner of American Idol, 80's rock band Huey Lewis and The News, Rick Springfield, and country western music artist Grechen Wilson all in the same place - some free, all for $5.00 or less!!

Miller Lite sponsors a Raceway and Grandstand for the car races, there are Antiques of all kinds such as Grandfather clocks and a wonderful Antique Horse and buggy competition. I was impressed by the people as the competition was over and ribbons awarded, the horses and buggies would mingle with spectators and pose for pictures and talk with everyone.

There is a museum, a youth exhibit, bungee jump, 500-700 barns of animals, livestock competitions for large and small livestock of all kinds.The Morgan Horse show Arena, and Pepsi has sponsored a Community Stage for exceptional local talent. The corn dogs are made to order with JUMBO beef hot-dogs, there size you have never seen! The cotton candy is portioned in bags you could recycle as trash can liners, and there are waffle ice cream cones over a foot and a half tall, I've seen three people share one! (See photos below!)

I could go on and on but you have to see for yourself, the carnival games are lively and really top notch, the prizes are valuable, well made and large, there was no skimping in this area! Part of the excitement is seeing people everywhere carrying Giant Stuffed animals on their shoulders....I also observe first hand several game booths give out free stuffed animals to young players who tried a game but didn't win.

There are many chances to learn about the charities and public services providing care and sponsored at the Ventura County Fair, for example, Lions' B I N G O...a Ventura tradition for over 26 years! They provide aid to people with needs such as vision, hearing and keeping kids off drugs and off the streets.

Come to the Fair prepared to enjoy good, quality food, ride huge carnival rides, enjoy gaming and competition events, but best of all, the vendors...oh the vendors! You will not expect to find the quality crafts and shopping opportunities available inside the tents in the Fair. You can tell without question that each of these vendors were well screened and hand-pick before allowed to sell at the fair. You can find things you won't find in most other places, from wonderfully crafted Grandfather Clocks to exquisite jewelry, to unusual  custom lighting and the most colorfully designed glassware of all descriptions.

Also for vacationers and travellers, there are many hotels, motels and summer rentals available walking distance or a short bike ride to the Fairgrounds. I spoke to a sales manager, Crystal Bentle, at the Marriott Hotel and Resort, "Ventura Beach Marriott", and the prices were comparable to those in other areas nearby, there did not appear to be any price gouging because of this grand event.

Read on for more detailed information and interviews...

All military personnel: bring your valid military ID to the Ventura County Fair on Thursday, August 13th, you will be honored with free admission. Everyone would consider it an extra special bonus if you all were to wear your uniforms, not required of coarse but much appreciated!

Our country appreciates and loves our military men and women, we thank you for all that you do. ♥♥♥ God Bless America! ♥♥♥

First order of the day, a nice cold "Slushee", picking your own flavor, making a parfait of brightly colored flavors...it's all good!

You may think climbing a Rock Wall or Face Painting is typical for most kids events, but even in the most relaxing of atmospheres, kids need the ritual of "arriving" . After sitting in a car driving and holding back the anticipation, some are better at holding back than others, I'll give you that, expending energy, being made to focus and concentrate will bring the kids into alignment with the plan of the day. The Face Painting Ritual speaks to each childs' individuality and makes the announcement "I am here" or later, "I was there"!

Riding the mechanical bull requires coordination and strength, these kids learn and become better at it each time they climb back on! Thank goodness the flooring is made of a padding that is very soft and mattress-like!

It has been a great weekend, my family enjoyed everthing the Fair has to offer and still they want to return this Wenesday. There is some food I didn't get to taste, and a couple rides I couldn't get on for fear of mangling my camera; so there's a great chance we'll be back! The main attraction for me personally, however will be the shopping! There are finds to be found and lovely gifts to be purchased for loved ones. I saw so mmany things I just have to have in my curio cabinet, and wow, I hope you get to see the Grandfather Clocks, what craftsmanship!

I really did enjoy talking with several of the Vendors, people with wears to sell. I have a few interesting booths to share with you, if you happen to be reading this before you attend the Ventura County Fair, you may decide to bring your checkbook, for there are beautiful and helpful purchases to be purchased!

I met Julianna Cross just last night. She is the Executive Director of a company named "Romance with Glass" and I have to say, the name really fits her product. I am releasing photographs in tonights' segment of this Hub which cannot do justice to her unique glassware. Her wares are displayed ina booth inside the merchant tent and no one, I mean no one can walk by her area without stopping to look and even covet these beautiful pieces.

Colorful and unique stemware, many unusual dishware sets, you'll never find them ina retail store...and the glass miniatures, every thing you can think of! I am ready to begin my own "Glass Menagerie" . The better way to describe her collection is Blown-glass Art. There are large vases and other glass pieces of such colorful design you may want to keep one on a curio shelf lit up all by itself, they make such a romantic statement.

After viewing these treasures in person, you may want to contact her or the company. You may click on the following Links to get direct access to their website:

rwginfo@verison.net

www.romancewithglass.net

Photographs cannot show intricasies and uniqueness so I advise you to have a look for yourself, these lamps are fascinating, unlike anything we have in the USA. You should have a look while you are enjoying the Ventura County Fair.

Sahara Treasures designs and creates original Goat Skin and Henna Lamps, the luxurious Moroccan Red colors are achie ved by using pomagranate juice dyes. Everything is made with Natural Products and even the goat skin is a by product from goat meat production.

Sahara Treasures can be found on eBay, using SAHARATREASURES.COM or call Karim at 951/764-2583.

This is an excerpt taken from Karims' web site which is presently under construction...

"If travel is a search for lost paradise, the Kingdom of Morocco is large and mysterious enough to infinitely prolong the quest. Created by the conflicting influences that have washed against this northwestern corner of Africa. From the moment you arrive adventure awaits you. In simple transactions, like buying piece of safi pottery, there is unexpected drama, humor and competitive gamesmanship. It is not only the sites of Morocco - Sahara desert, Atlas mountains, ancient cities, elegant Islamic monuments---but also the everyday way of life that lingers in the various markets (souks). A concert of scents and scenes will haunt you; the pungent fragrance of the spice market; brightly colored handmade items, heavy odor of olive oil and the craftsmanship of artistic items. Moroccan life, landscape and culture is extraordinarily diverse, but ultimately it is the people that prove most fascinating. In any one Moroccan there may lurk a turbulent and diverse ancestry: of slaves brought across the Sahara to serve as concubines or warriors; of Andalucian refugees who came from the ancient Muslim and Jewish cities of southern cities, and of Bedouin Arabs from the tribes which fought their way along the North African shore. All these peoples have mingled with the indigenous Berbers, who continously occupied the land since the Stone Age. The frenetic energy, noisy animation and ceaseless babble of the streets initially threaten to overwhelm a visitor. In Morocco, however do as the Moroccans do. A certain wry but friendly sense of humour is all that is needed to cope anarchic but addictive lifestyle."    Come and see for yourself!

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