The popular Alameda County Fair normally straddles the July Fourth holiday, but if you ask us, carnival rides, pig races, live music and yummy, indulgent food sounds pretty good at any time of year.
So count us as among the very stoked that Alameda County Fair, delayed by COVID concerns, returns to Pleasanton beginning Oct. 22, featuring many of its beloved attractions.
The midway will offer such rides as the twirling Vertigo and plunging White Water Log flume, as well as a new attraction called the Mega Flip (which does pretty much what its name implies). The Alaskan pig races will be back; and the competitions will feature a fall feel, including pumpkin-carving and scarecrow-building contests.
Also, a full slate of live music shows are on tap, including Night Ranger, War, Lenny Williams of Tower of Power fame, the Spin Doctors (an 11th-hour replacement for a popular South Bay band), and several cover bands, as well as the annual fair blues festival 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 23.
Here’s the full concert lineup, advance tickets with seat selection are required for all music shows:
Oct. 22: Kalimba — The Spirit of Earth Wind and Fire
Oct. 23: Night Ranger
Oct. 24: The Garth Guy — the Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute Show
Oct. 25: The Boys of Summer — The Music of The Eagles
Oct. 26: Singer Lenny Williams (from Tower of Power)
Oct. 27: Spin Doctors
Oct. 28: Rose Royce (Blues/R&B band)
Oct. 29: War
Oct. 30: Exposé (Latin dance music)
Oct. 31: Journey Revisited
Want to see what’s on the food lineup? Go here (spoiler alert: Funnel cakes are on the bill. Yay!)
Details: Through Oct. 31, 3-10 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; concerts nightly at 8 p.m.; Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton; tickets will be sold by the day with limited capacity, $15-$18 admission, $30-$40 midway ride packages; concerts $15-$60; parking $15 on weekends, free on weekdays; see website for safety requirements; annual.alamedacountyfair.com.
