Community Corner

Ag-Themed County Fair Kicks Off Saturday with Rides, Tunes and Loads of Exhibits

In addition to reaching out to thrill-seekers and music fans, organizers hope to highlight county's rich agricultural tradition.

From Joan Jett and Dickey Betts to the Temptations and Mickey Thomas and Starship, the 2012 Marin County Fair features plenty of rock stars on its bill starting Saturday.

But a far lesser known rock star will be getting all the attention in the fair's centerpiece exhibit: M.B. Boissevain, the county's first farm advisor, whose photos are at the heart of the fair's agricultural theme of Always Fresh, Fun & Local.

Marin's Agricultural Roots: The Photography of M.B. Boissevain, features dozens of Boissevain's photos of the early days of Marin's farms and ranches and the people who owned and worked on them.

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The fair also features films like Hidden Bounty of Marin, a documentary that looks at the lives and work of nine farm families in transition, and A Simple Question: the Story of STRAW, which chronicles the efforts of students and teachers at San Anselmo's Brookside School to save the endangered California freshwater shrimp.

Here's a full list the fair's musicals acts and some general info. Visit the Fair's website for more info.

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Saturday, June 30, 3pm – – Portland’s 20-piece marching band with acrobatics, dazzling dancers and a blend of musical genres

Saturday, June 30, 7:30pm – DICKEY BETTS (Mastermind of hits “Jessica”, “Blue Sky” and “Ramblin’ Man”) & GREAT SOUTHERN – Co-founder of the Allman Brothers band; recognized byRolling Stone as one of the world’s 100 greatest guitar players 

Sunday, July 1, 3pm - MICKEY THOMAS & STARSHIP – Platinum-selling hits of Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship with Thomas’ soaring vocals

Sunday, July 1, 7:30pm – LOS LOBOS – Grammy-winning East LA roots-rock band influenced by Tex-Mex, country music, folk, R&B, blues and traditional Mexican music

Monday, July 2, 7:30pm – JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS – Punk pioneer, innovator, and hard rocker whose hits include “I Love Rock ‘n Roll”, “I Hate Myself for Loving You”, “Crimson and Clover” and “Bad Reputation”

Tuesday, July 3, 7:30pm – STEEL PULSE – Jamaican roots reggae masters and musical legends with multiple Grammy nominations

Wednesday, July 4, 2pm & 4pm – PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND – New Orleans jazz at its finest, now celebrating their 50th anniversary

Wednesday, July 4, 7:30pm – THE TEMPTATIONS – Among the giants of Motown, The Temptations dance through the decades with all their hits from “My Girl” to “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”

Other fair highlights include exhibits in over 800 categories, with more than 6,000 annual entrants from Marin and the Bay Area.

The 411: The Marin County Fair runs from Saturday, June 30, through Wednesday, July 4, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and children under 4 are free. Parking is $6. Admission includes concerts, exhibits, entertainment, nightly fireworks and 28 carnival rides. Call 415.473.6800 for more information or visit the website.


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