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Ventura County Fair
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- Good for Kids:
- Yes
8 reviews for Ventura County Fair
The 2009 fair was pretty fun. I actually haven't been to the VC fair for quite some time so it was nice being back. Played some midway games, got on some rides, but I guess the big thing for me that day was eating weird fair food.
Strawberry beer. Deep-fried strawberries. Cheesecake on a stick. Banana tower. Chocolate covered bacon.
It was good times, but I guess all that weird food plus a ride on the tilt-a-whirl made Sarah and me rather nauseous. Plus, I forgot to eat the mini donuts this year! Drats.
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2009 Fair
What better day to have a father and Son bonding day than the VC fair at Seaside Park? We hopped on the shuttle at the Oxnard PAC and arrived at the fair in no time.
Despite the crowds and the commotion, all it took was a handful of cotton candy and my little boy (3 1/2 years old) was as happy as hog in mud. Add a ice cold cup of Firestone double barrel ale for me, and we were as happy as two peas in a pod. ( I'll stop with the hyperbole now).
We saw more live stock then you could shake a stick at, and got up close and personal with a sheep named bubbles, thanks to her handler Allie.
We got on a lot of kiddie rides,and ate hot dogs, and all sorts of fried things. I took my boy on one big boy ride, the Buccaneer I think it iscalled, it is the boat ride that goes back and forth really high. He was not happy, but it was priceless to see the look of sheer terror on his face. That is what dads are for.
It is expensive, I brought $100 and left with about 25 cents. Take the shuttle and avoid the traffic.
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The fair was fair. Expensive, but fun none the less. I took off work early on a Thursday to take the kiddies. It was unlimited ride wristband day after all and who wouldn't want to ride carni rides, eat junk food and drink beer till you puke*?
There was no wait to get in at 1PM. Someone asks you immediately if you want to sign up to win something before you get to the gate. "No thanks, I don't want my name on any more stupid call/email lists than it has to be." Kids under 6 are free. BONUS!
You walk in and you immediately see the kids zone to the right, with kid friendly rides. Steer to the left for the bigger kid's rides. (We stayed on the right.) You also see a long cooridor of Junk food vendors straight ahead with exhibits flanking each side and barn animals at the end. They do the whole theme-park thing where they offer to take your picture before you get all hot/sweaty/drunk/disgusting to buy when you leave the fair.**
My impressions:
Beer, everywhere and it ain't cheap either. It also isn't bad beer. There was Sierra Nevada, Stella and others that I would love to drink if I wasn't with the kids and I had lots of cash to burn. You can't go into the buildings with beer. They've got ladies checkin. You probably can't ride the rides with beer either, but I didn't try. ***
There are no healthy food options except for maybe corn on the cob. But that's the fair for you. I got a Turkey Leg + Corn + Churro + Icecream + Lemonade. The family shared everything.
The kiddie rides were fun for the kids and appeared fairly safe. The operators weren't the type of people I'd have over for dinner but they were very helpful getting the kids locked inplace.
We took a break from the rides and explored the exhibits and the animals. We saw the balloon guy (We had seen him at the AV fair) who he was very entertaining for the kids to watch. While my wife and daughter went through the crafts, I took my son on more rides to get the most out of that wrist band****.
I figured out that with all the costs added up we averaged about $20/hr while we were there. You could spend less if you stay longer, but 4 hours was enough for us. We couldn't leave without the enormous Pink Dolphin and Spiderman balloons to remember the trip by.
So, all in all I'd say that we enjoyed our time. It did get more crowded as the day went on and I started to get a "Disneyland Headache" from exposure, dehydration, junk food, walking too much and standing in lines.
FYI: People we know said that dollar day was mobbed with a wait to get in.
Finally, this is the last weekend!
Footnotes:
* No Puking was involved in this review.
**We did it just for S&Gs but didn't even look at them when we left.
*** No rides for me thankyou.
****The wristband cost $25 and each ride was about 3 tickets or about 3 dollars.
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ventura county fair is the REAL DEAL. its patronized by miller-lite drinkin wal-mart employees in elastic waist jeans, slutty fake-tan groupies in school girl outfits and teenagers looking to start trouble and make out. you can fill up on corn in various forms, buy an as-seen-on-tv miracle product and get strapped in for a carnival ride that makes you believe in god for the few moments that you are yelling for him to show some mercy and save you.
there are so many great things about the fair, it would take me days to list them (turkey stampede? a litter of piglets?? sweet corn with chilli powder and tapatio???) not to mention the sausage fest, in the most literal use of that phrase. pinks, italian, polish, whatever your heart desires. the rides are amazing, the animals are adorable and the whole place smells like heaven. and the best part is its by the ocean, which is a beautiful place to watch the fireworks from. so much fun, i wish it would never end!
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I wait 355 days/yr for this. no joke:
buena h.s. funnel cake.
those big corn on the cobs
cinnamon rolls
roasted almonds
food from the buddhist temple
bbq sandwiches
strawberry beer (*please see oxnard strawberry festival)
animals
the ferris wheel and fireworks
vintage-style photos
those guys walking around in costumes that look like they're riding horses (you totally know what I'm talking about)
oh, how I love the VC fair.
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AHHHH THE FAIR!!!!!!!! I love love love the fair. I love it. I love all the fair food like roasted corn, giant baked potatoes, spiral fries, and mini-donuts. I love riding on the Zipper and flipping it around so many times I think I'm going to throw up. The fair makes me feel like I'm a kid again. I missed it last year and, sadly, I will probably miss it this year too. BOO.
The concerts are usually really good, and they're still FREE! which is awesome. Admission to the fair is only $8, so if you can see a good band, that's a pretty amazing deal. But be careful: It can get crazy and very crowded towards the front.
You should go on the special days, when you can get a wristband and avoid paying astronomical ticket prices for the rides. AND you should get an ice cream bar dipped in chocolate and sprinkles. YUM to the tenth power.
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A vast improvement over the LA County Fair, although the same general principle of nickle and dime one to death is in effect. If a child is too small to enter an attraction unattended then the parent shouldn't be charged entry - that's 9/10ths of a star deducted. The line for the shuttle bus shouldn't be longer than the line to get into the Fair - that's another 1/10th of a star deducted.
Find the place near the Pepsi(tm) stage with the corndogs and get an Italian sausage on a bun with onions and peppers. Or find the Pink's stand. Or get some tri-tip. Or get some kettle corn. Or get copious beverages. Or do what we did and get 'em all, then get the hell home because trouble's a-brewin!
$8 per person. At least my wife didn't drag me back out to the LA one. 4 stars.
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Evann G. hit this right on the head and I second everything she said. After visiting other fairs where the price of good concerts is seperate from the fair admission, I realised even more what a great deal we have! I've seen Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney and many more here. And if you push your way to the front you get front row standing room. The crowds are generally crazy with popular bands but the atmosphere totally makes it worth going!
I've always loved the fair and I can't wait for it to be back in town! The food on sticks, the animals, the cool displays, the mini dounuts in the Exhibition Building, the rides (which I think Zipper has been taken out as of last year, for whatever reason...friggin classic ride albeit dangerous...heck it's a fair ride with CARNIES ..small hands haha).
The admission price has been going up to compete with other fairs and such but the deal you get if you go the right days really are still there!
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