THE BALLOON MAN

It's time for the fair

 

The Sonoma-Marin Fair runs June 20-24.
Scott Hess
By Yovanna Bieberich
from: petaluma360.com
 ARGUS-COURIER STAFF
Monday, June 18, 2012
Fairs are a time to indulge in cotton candy, corn dogs and carnival rides, but they are also a time for bringing the community together to celebrate everything that makes a particular place unique.
Last year was the 200th anniversary of American fairs,” said Pat Conklin, executive director of the Sonoma-Marin Fair. “They've always been a time of celebrating area agriculture and community. Fairs have always meant competing for blue ribbons and people bringing everything from their quilts to their cattle in to see who was the best. Fairs showcased trends in agriculture and the community. It's the same way today.”
The 73rd annual Sonoma-Marin Fair takes place June 20-24 with a “Straight to the Golden Gate” theme celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge. Though this is the 73rd year of the fair, Conklin said that the fair has been around for 75 years, but took two years off during World War II.
A lot of change has happened in those 73 years, but Conklin said the fair remains a reflection of those changes and what matters most to its community.
“The competitive exhibits have stood the test of time,” said Conklin. “You go into the buildings and see what your neighbors made and what makes your community tick. You still see the jellies, jams and photographs, but the exhibits have also evolved with the times to include Legos, digital photography and scrapbooking. In an area where it's about poultry and dairy, we showcase those things, too. We have roots, but we've also evolved with the times.”
Conklin said that the Teen Edge events, which include teen bands and text messaging competitions, are just one example of how the fair has kept up with trends.
read more at:http://www.petaluma360.com/article/20120618/COMMUNITY/120619526/1373/COMMUNITY03?Title=It-s-time-for-the-fair