LAKEPORT, Calif. – The annual Lake County Fair is just around the corner.

The Lake County Fair traditionally occurs Labor Day weekend each year at the fairgrounds in Lakeport; this year's dates are Thursday, Sept. 1, through Sunday, Sept. 4.

The event is one of Lake County's favorite summertime events, and is enjoyed by nearly 40,000 people each year.

The fair features a variety of entertainment, food, exhibits, a carnival and livestock shows.

This year's theme is “Make Some Magic!”

Lake County Fair will sell tickets and admit patrons until 9 p.m. daily. Gates open at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1, at 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, and at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3, and Sunday, Sept. 4.

 

Once admitted to the grounds, patrons will find exhibit buildings open from the gate opening time until 10:00 pm each evening.

All other areas of the fair are open from the gate opening time until 11 p.m., including the carnival.

 

Midway of Fun, the carnival company which debuted in 2009, returns in 2011 with all day ride wristbands on each day of the fair.

All day wristbands can only be purchased at the carnival ticket booths, and sell for $22 on Thursday, and for $25 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Midway of Fun took over the midway in 2009 when the previous carnival operator moved to the California State Fair.

 

Events in the grandstand arena include the Lake County Lawn Mower Challenge Races on Thursday evening, a demolition derby on Friday evening, open mud bogs and a 4x4 truck pull on Saturday evening, and the California State Finals of the WGAS Motorsports Tuff Truck and Buggy Races on Sunday evening.

All grandstand shows start at 7:30 p.m. Local participants are also encouraged in the demo derby, truck pulls, mud bogs and the tuff truck races, and entry forms are available at the fairgrounds office.

Regular admission prices for the 2011 Lake County Fair are $10 for a regular ticket, $6 for a senior over age 60, and $6 for children ages 6 through 11.

Children under 6 years old are admitted free every day. Children through age 11 are admitted for $3 on Thursday, September 1st only, for “Kid's Day.”