What you need to know about the 2023 Tulare County Fair

Sheyanne N Romero, Visalia Times-Delta
·4 min read

The Tulare County Fair is back and so are the rides, attractions, entertainment and fried foods.

The theme for this year's fair is "Salute To Agriculture."

The fair kicks off on Wednesday with the traditional parade at 10 a.m., winding through downtown Tulare and ending at the fairgrounds at noon to open the festivities.

In preparation for the four-day event, here are a few highlights fairgoers can expect to see at the 2023 Tulare County fair.

Entertainment

Featured acts and exhibits are fun for the whole family. This year, The Nerveless Nocks, Brad's World Reptiles, Puzzlemania, and Barnyard Adventure will be at the fair.

There’s entertainment at the Bud Light Main Stage every night. Entertainment is free with paid fair admission.

Here's a schedule of fair performers and acts.

From left to right, Lisa Sampaulesi, Kalie Armstrong and Adrienne Jones enjoys the music of LOCASH, and American country music duo at the Tulare County Fair in Tulare, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022.
From left to right, Lisa Sampaulesi, Kalie Armstrong and Adrienne Jones enjoys the music of LOCASH, and American country music duo at the Tulare County Fair in Tulare, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022.

Wednesday

  • 4:30 pm: The Wilder Show

  • 7:30 pm: Huckleberry Road

Thursday

  • 5:30 p.m.: The Wilder Show

  • 8 p.m.: Blanco Brown

Friday

  • 5:30 p.m.: The Wilder Show

  • 7 p.m.: Mariachi Divas

  • 8:30 p.m.: Clay Walker

Saturday

  • 3 p.m.: Dancers Edge in front of Main Stage

  • 5:30 p.m.: The Wilder Show

  • 7 p.m.: Mariachi Divas

  • 8:30 p.m.: Sawyer Brown

Sunday

  • 3 p.m.: The Wilder Show

  • 4 p.m.: Mariachi Divas

  • 5:30 p.m.: Raza Obrera

  • 6:25 p.m.: Grupo Vennus

  • 7:45 p.m.: Los Fugitivos

Carnival rides

In partnership with Helm & Sons Amusements, the fair is offering free carnival rides with paid admission on Thursday, Sept. 14.

Helms & Sons Amusements will bring nearly 40 rides to the fair, including new rides like the Medusa and the Himalaya.

“Davey Helm and his crew always bring us the best of the best," CEO Dena Rizzardo said. "We are beyond excited to offer a free carnival day, and hope the community enjoys it."

Livestock

There will be livestock shows each day of the fair, including market confirmation shows, showmanship, breeding shows and more for each species. The full livestock schedule is available on the fair’s website.

The 2023 Dairy Heifer Replacement Market Steers, Market Heifers, and Beef Replacement Sale will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16.

All market and breeding animals (with the exception of milking dairy cows) are to be in place by 4 p.m. Tuesday. Livestock will not be released from fairgrounds until Monday, Sept. 18. The exhibitor is responsible for the care of livestock until off the grounds.

Last year, the DDA Junior Livestock Auction generated more than $1.5 million for local agriculture youth in Tulare County, according to fair officials.

Livestock admission gate opens to the public at 8 a.m. daily.

The Tulare County Fair welcomed hundreds of community members to its 2022 demolition derby on Saturday, Sept. 17.
The Tulare County Fair welcomed hundreds of community members to its 2022 demolition derby on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Demolition Derby

The annual Leland Fried Memorial Car Demolition Derby will see daredevils smash up each other’s cars starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. Doors open at 5 p.m. Separate tickets are required for the derby.

There are three main events: Welded cars, trucks, and ‘80s or newer.

The half-time show, Power Wheels Heat, is for the kids, derby organizers said. Children 5-10 years old may participate, there are two age groups: 5-7 and 8-10.

Fair prices

Presale admission prices are available until Tuesday.

Event admission pricing

  • Pre-Sale Adult: (18 yrs. +) Price: $10

  • Pre-Sale Juniors: (3-17 yrs.) Price: $3

  • Pre-Sale Seniors: (55 yrs. +) Price: $7

  • Pre-Sale Service Members with ID: $7

  • Children (2 and under): Free Every day

Carnival wristband pricing (event admission must be purchased separately)

  • Pre-Sale Single Day Unlimited Ride Wristband: $35

  • Pre-Sale Single Day Unlimited Ride Wristband + Express Upgrade: $55

Parking

  • Weekly Parking Pass: $30 (Not lot specific, one entry per day)

  • Preferred Weekly Parking Pass (Good only at O Street Livestock Lot; includes in & out Privileges)

  • Daily Parking: $8

2023 Fair Hours

  • Wednesday: 12 to 10 p.m.

  • Thursday: 4 to 10 p.m.

  • Friday: 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. (kids 12 and under are free)

  • Saturday: 2 p.m. to 12 a.m.

  • Sunday: 2 to 10 p.m.

Veronica Schnuelle gets the prize that her boyfriend Chris Zavala won as he shot out a star to win a bear at the shooting booth at the Tulare County Fair in Tulare, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022.
Veronica Schnuelle gets the prize that her boyfriend Chris Zavala won as he shot out a star to win a bear at the shooting booth at the Tulare County Fair in Tulare, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022.

History

The Tulare County Fair began in 1915 on 10 acres at Alpine and “K” streets during the World War I era to promote better cattle and hog sales in Tulare. In 1924 or 1925, according to the late Alfred Elliott, two parcels of land east of the original site were obtained.

In the early 1930s, a 35-acre area to the south became available and was bought by the Chamber of Commerce. That acquisition brought the fairgrounds to their present size of 50 acres.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: What you need to know about the 2023 Tulare County Fair