Arts & Entertainment

Marin County Fair Goes Global

Annual Fourth-of-July weekend fair showcases more than 50 cultural organizations and 25 multi-cultural performances over its five-day run.

The Marin County Fair opened at the county fairgrounds in San Rafael Thursday and is picking up steam throughout the weekend.

The annual Fourth-of-July weekend fair features a "Going Global: Connecting Cultures" theme, showcasing more than 50 cultural organizations and 25 multi-cultural performances over its five-day run.

As always, the fair will feature concerts, included in the admission price, from a wide range of diverse artists. George Kahumoku Jr., Dennis Kamakahi and Uncle Richard Ho'opi will perform as Masters of Hawaiian music on Sunday as part of a Fourth of July celebration. The schedule also includes Ramblin' Jack Elliott (5pm) and The Wailers (8pm) tonight, Tea Leaf Green (3pm) and Little Feat (7pm) on Saturday, and The Del McCoury Band and the New Orleans-based Preservation Hall Jazz Band playing together at 2pm and 4pm Sunday. Tiempo Libre (1 and 3pm), the Four Tops (6pm) and The Temptations (8pm) close out the fair on Monday.

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Fireworks will be featured nightly with a a few extra rockets thrown in on Independence Day, said Jim Farley, fair director.

"We like to think every night is July 4," Farley said. "I like to think this is a gift to Marin County."

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He said attendance looked good this year but he would not know for sure until the end of the weekend.

Farley and his staff faced a hurdle on the first day of the fair as its Web site was down.

"Other than that it is smooth sailing," he said. 

Visiting the county fairgrounds in San Rafael from San Francisco, Kyle Bluestone, 11, said it's worth the trip.

"It's fun and there's rides and stuff," Kyle said. 

His friend, John Espiritu, 10, said he especially likes the Viper. 

"It's a great place to come with your friends and hang out," said John's sister, Michelle, 13.

Mick Brajevich, who operates the carnival portion of the fair for Butler Amusements in Beaverton, Ore., said kids love the exhilaration of the motion and the speed of the rides.

He said Marin's is one of the nicest fairgrounds he's ever seen.

"People are lucky to have such a nice fairground with the lake and grounds," Brajevich said. 

His wife, Kris, said she remembers coming to San Rafael for the fair from San Jose when she was a child. One year, when the fair featured historic photographs, it brought her to tears. 

"It brought back so many memories." she said.

The fair is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. The fireworks display begins each night at 9:30pm. Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and kids from 4- to 12-years-old.

For more, see: www.marinfair.org.


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