Carnival & Fair News

The Salinas Valley Fair kicked off its 81st year with a crowd-pleasing event and a theme of "The Berry Best Fair."

Tickets were priced at $8 for kids ages 6 to 17 as well as for seniors 60 and older, and free for children under 5. Adult admission was priced at $12. All-day unlimited ride carnival wristbands were $38, with advance tickets available for just $30. Parking was $20. Opening day, kids were admitted free, Friday seniors were free, the King City Rotary Club hosted Special Kids Day with free admission for special education tour groups; and on Saturday, free admission was available to active military members and families.

According to fair CEO Lauren Hamilton, turnout overall reached 43,000 over the course of the four-day event which ran Thursday May 15 to Sunday May 18th. Per Hamilton, Thursday-Saturday attendance numbers were higher than usual, and on Sunday, a windy day, turnout was “about average.”

The carnival was provided by Butler Amusements, which offered over 24 rides in all, including the popular Cyclone, Scrambler, Himalaya, Alien Invasion, and most popular of all, the new Zillerator Coaster and Orbiter rides. Hamilton says the new ride offerings were among the top draws for this year's carnival, which did steady and “on average” business this year.



“The kids really enjoyed the new rides, especially the new coaster,” Hamilton relates. “That was especially loved. I think they enjoy experiencing the newest rides overall, and the carnival did a great job.”

Hamilton reports that there were many things new at the fair this year besides the carnival offerings, including opening day's “Kid's Holaday” when all kids were admitted free to the event.

New attractions and events played a big part of what made this year's fair so special, she notes. “We had a lot of new attractions and events, and new vendors in food, commercial and entertainment this year. It was a great deal of fun for people, and it was fun for us to hear everyone's feedback on what they loved the best. Our new grounds acts, especially the stilt walkers and magicians were mentioned a great deal.”

Events on Thursday included Flat Motorcycle Races held at the outdoor Stampede Arena, while a completely different thrill was in store for fairgoers enjoying the Grand Tasting of regional varietals indoors at the Orrade Building. The wines represented the “best of the best” of the Monterey Wine Competition, including award-winning winery Eberle's Cote du Robles. Advance tickets for that event were priced at $40 and included fair admission; on site, tickets were still $40 but did not include admission to the fair itself.

On Friday, there was the excitement of Vendetta Pro Wrestling and 4x4 Truck and Tractor Pulls.

Hamilton says that “At both the tractor and truck, and our motorcycle events, those stands were filled.”

The Junior Livestock Auction was also a big success, bringing in over 900 4H and FFA exhibitors on Saturday, where local high school student Valeria Beltran sold the 2025 Heritage Animal hog, raised for the fair's scholarship program, and selling for a nicely porky $520 a pound. The fair paid tribute to lifelong contributors Johnny and Richard Domingos, about whom the fair's press release stated their dedication to the Swine Auction included more than 6,000 hours to the fair over a period of 50 years.



According to John Orradre, Livestock Committee Chairman, “Our volunteers, donors and buyers really make the difference. Every year something special and surprising takes place…”

Hamilton stresses that this year the fair had “a great Junior Livestock Auction. We brought in $2.8 million for those 900 animal entries, which was huge for the community, and for the kids. That kind of support is fantastic, and it's really amazing to see and support all the effort put in.”

Along with the livestock auction itself, the fair's Topo and Rava Barns offered views of sheep, swine, goats, rabbits, steers, and replacement heifers.



On Saturday evening nationwide performing country music artist Chase Bryant appeared at the Stampede Arena with Jordan Fletcher. Tickets for the event were priced at $29.95. Hamilton pointed out that it was exciting to offer what was only the fair's “third country concert. We did a poll on artists to see what our fairgoers were interested in, and Chase Bryant stood out among the other options.”

Turnout was strong for the concert, although the event did not fully sell out. “They played a terrific show, despite it being a very windy evening. It was really something new for the community that they liked seeing. Despite our being a small-town fair, it was a new and larger type of offering besides the more standard truck and tractor pull events.”

Over on the Steinbeck Stage, Outlaw Mariachi brought Latin fusion sounds. On Sunday, the Hispanic Concert Series presented a wide range of performers including Banda Perla and Los Reyes.

Ongoing entertainment free at the fair included the magic and juggling of Arty Loon; the Puppy Pals Stunt Show; Animal Cracker Conspiracy stilt walkers; Wagon of Whimsy with balloon tricks and more; strolling cowboys Slim and Curly; Max the Flexbot, and the interactive Mind Works exhibit that included a giant chess board, Chutes & Ladders, and Jenga. Also on hand were pony rides, a petting zoo, and stage acts at The Long Branch Saloon including The Edge band and Harper Canyon.

Hamilton stressed that “Each year, we put a huge focus on the entertainment we bring to the fair — we want to keep it fun, lively and enjoyable for everyone — this year is no different.”

Of course, food was another big focus at the fair, from traditional favorites corn dogs, long time fair-favorite giant cinnamon rolls, snow cones, Hot Cheetos nachos, cotton candy, and funnel cakes to a new chicken and waffles served up by CK & A Concessions. Also new: Hawaiian pancakes at Richards & Sons, kabobs, Chinese food items, and Steakstop.



Hamilton describes some of the more popular items as being “a new, spicy chicken sandwich that was different for us, and the return of a BBQ booth. We have not had BBQ in 7-8 years at the fair, and it was great to bring back those giant turkey legs this year.”

Exhibits were plentiful from Floral Lane's floral displays to the images and crafts at the Photography & Home Arts Building. The Expo Building held local vendors, including new shops such as Mystic Sun Boutique and That Garlic Stuff.

“We are just such a good, small-town fair. People look forward to attending and to exhibiting here. It was such a fun event this year,” Hamilton concludes. In short, it was the “berry best” fair indeed.