Summer is coming up soon and you want to get your family to an old-fashioned country fair with fun carnival rides, food, and live entertainment. Me too! County fairs are an iconic piece of Americana with a rich history highlighting a regions individual specialties. Fortunately, the Bay Area hosts a number of great county fairs creating an experience that is unquestionably unique to the area, while at the same time timeless and familiar. So this summer, get swept away by our local county fairs.

Contra Costa County Fair

Date: May 18-21
Location: Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, Antioch, (925) 757-4400

The 23rd District Agricultural Association is home to the Contra Costa County Fair that has hosted hundreds of thousands of guests for over 75 years. The Fairgrounds celebrates all that is best in Contra Costa County while preserving the agricultural heritage of the community.

San Mateo County Fair, ‘Where Tradition Meets Innovation’

Date: June 10-18
Location: San Mateo County Event Center, San Mateo

Celebrating 80 years of unique, modern ideas as the community to continue the tradition of the Fair experience for generations to come. Come to the Fair and see what is in store!

Sonoma-Marin County Fair, ‘Great Eggspectations'

Date: June 21-25
Location: 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma, (707) 283-3247

The Sonoma-Marin Fair promotes and showcases agriculture, while displaying the diverse talents, interests and accomplishments of the citizens of California, especially the youth of Sonoma and Marin counties. This is achieved by providing education, entertainment and recreational opportunities for the general public, while continually striving towards enhancing the promotion and preservation of California’s agricultural heritage.

Marin County Fair, "Let the Sunshine In, Summer of Love"

Date: June 30 - July 4
Location: 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, (415) 473-6400

The 76th Marin County Fair continues to be healthy and green while at the same time celebrating our community and offering first-caliber everything from the arts, technology, facilities, learning, exhibits and unique programs found nowhere else in the nation. Featuring long-time Fair favorites alongside brand new attractions, highlighting what Marin County residents love most about their local fair. For years, the Marin County Fair has reflected the county in all of its colorful traditions and innovations; its farm animals, family activities, popular concerts, thrilling rides, leading-edge exhibits, and spectacular fireworks displays each night have made the Fair one of the Bay Area’s favorite and anticipated summer events.

Alameda County Fair, 'Best. Summer. Ever.'

Date: June 16-July 9
Location: 4501 Pleasanton Avenue, Pleasanton, CA (925) 426-7600

The Spirit of Summer will sizzle a bit longer as Alameda County Fair celebrates the 4th of July on a rare, open Monday for an extended 18-day run. The Fair plans to rock the 4th in customary grand style with the Red, White & Blues Festival, food, fun and the Fireworks Spectacular featuring the Oakland East Bay Symphony. Fair Favorites will be back including horseracing, exhibits, animals, food, rides, games, pig races, Kids’ Park & STEAM Weekends, special event days and more.

Napa County Fair & Fireworks

Date: July 4th
Location: 1435 North Oak Street, Calistoga

Fireworks, karaoke, pony rides, a 4th of July parade and an olive oil competition (this IS Napa after all) are all part of this wine country favorite fair. You won’t want to miss the BBQ competition and a myriad of kid-friendly activities, not to mention an awesome display of antique tractors.

California State Fair

Date: July 14th-30th
Location: 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento

The California State Fair is celebrating its 50th anniversary at Cal Expo. Established in 1854, the California State Fair is dedicated as a place to celebrate California's achievements, industries, agriculture, and diversity of its people, traditions and trends that shape the Golden State's future.

Solano County Fair, 'This Fair is for Ewe'

Date: August 2-6
Location: 900 Fairgrounds Dr., Vallejo (707) 551-2006

Five days of fun, food, music, animals, culture, shopping and more focusing on highlighting popular attractions from past years and bringing them back to the Fair again by bringing back many of the popular bands, attractions and activities.

Holiday at the Sonoma County Fair

Date: August 3-13 (closed Mondays)
Location: 1350 Bennet Valley Road, Santa Rosa

The Sonoma County Fair is the Northbay’s largest summer event. Wine Country Horse Racing bursts out of the gates along with opening day of the Fair and runs August 3 – 6, August 10 – 13 and continues after the Fair August 18 - 20. Other highlights include our Community Concert Series FREE with admission, a spectacular new carnival, PRCA Rodeo, Destruction Derby, Monster Trucks, family activities, Lorikeet Encounter, Creature Feature, High Diving Pirates of the Caribbean, Acrobuffo, livestock shows and so much more. The Hall of Flowers theme for 2017 is "Holidays in Bloom," and the Fair’s 2017 theme is "Holidaze at the Sonoma County Fair".

Santa Clara County Fair, ‘Full Steam Ahead'

Date: August 3-6
Location: 344 Tully Rd., San Jose, (408) 494-3100

STEAM Powered Family Fun! The Santa Clara County Fair is a beloved tradition where the deep agricultural roots of the Santa Clara Valley blend seamlessly with technology showcases of what is now the Silicon Valley. Where else can children learn how to make butter in the popular "Little Hands on the Farm" area and then tinker with robotics in a nearby hall?

* All information is subject to change. Check the websites for details.