Alameda County Fair Opening Day 2018: $1 Admission, $1 Rides

PLEASANTON, CA — Friday marks the opening day of the 2018 Alameda County Fair. To celebrate, the fair is bringing back the cattle drive down Main Street through downtown Pleasanton. This year, the cowgirls and cowboys will be joined by fair performers who will meet and greet those watching the drive. The fair opens with $1 admission and rides, all day until 5 p.m. and a concert performance by Blue Oyster Cult.

The fair runs June 15 to July 8 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. The fair will not host a fireworks show on the fourth of July this year.

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Dates: June 15-July 8 (Closed June 18-19, 25-26, July 2-3)

Hours: 11 a.m. -11 p.m. daily (except July 4th when the fair closes at 6 p.m.)

Carnival Hours: Wed-Thurs 12 p.m. to closing, Fri-Sun 11 a.m. to closing, July 4 fair opens from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Horse Racing: June 15-17, 21-24, 28-30, July 1, 4, 6-8

Big O Tires FREE Concerts: 8 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. nightly. “Born Free” video & fireworks show immediately following at Concert Lawn.

Gate Admission*:

• Adults (13-61) -- $15
• Seniors (62+) -- $10
• Kids (6-12) -- $10
• Children under 6 – FREE
• General Parking - $10
• Carnival wristbands -- Wed-Thurs $30, Fri-Sun & July 4, $35
• Carnival Fast Pass – NEW! Any single day $10
• Sky Ride – NEW! $5 one-way, $8 unlimited

Special Days and Discounts (ALL SPECIAL PRICING ENDS AT 5 p.m.):

• Opening Day: June 15 – $1 Admission, $1 Rides, UNTIL 5 p.m.
• Father’s Day: June 17 – Dads FREE, UNTIL 5 p.m.
• $2 Bites of the Fair (Thursdays): June 21 & 28, July 5 — Select fun-sized Fair treats just $2 each, UNTIL 5PM
• Kids FREE Thursdays (12 and under): June 21 & 28, July 5, UNTIL 5 p.m.
• Boomers FREE Fridays (62+): June 22, 29 & July 6, UNTIL 5 p.m.
• Clothing Drive for Foster Kids presented by Mattress Firm: June 20 — Bring a brand new child’s clothing item and receive FREE admission & $1 rides, UNTIL 5 p.m.
• Feed the Need Food Drive benefitting Alameda County Community Food Bank presented by Lucky California: June 27 — Bring 4 non-perishable food items and receive FREE admission & $1 rides, UNTIL 5 p.m.
• First Responder’s Day: July 4 – Free admission with valid identification, UNTIL 3 p.m.
• Military Appreciation — One FREE Fair admission with valid Military ID, ALL DAY, EVERYDAY

Patch was live at the second annual cattle drive to mark Opening Day 2018! Watch below:

The fair has announced the full lineup for its 2018 Big O Tires Concert Series:

6/15 – Blue Oyster Cult
6/16 – Sean Kingston
6/17 – En Vogue
6/20 – Clay Walker
6/21 – 38 Special
6/22 – Smash Mouth
6/23 – Boys of Summer: The Music of the Eagles
6/24 – Sir Mix-A-Lot
6/27 – Morris Day & The Time
6/28 – Con Funk Shun
6/29 – Queen Nation (Queen Tribute)
6/30 – The Tubes
7/1 – Purple Reign
7/4 – NO CONCERT
7/5 – LeAnn Rimes
7/6 – Journey Revisited (Journey tribute)
7/7 – Super Diamond (Neil Diamond tribute)
7/8 – WAR

Visit alamedacountyfair.com for schedule, map and event updates.

Photo, video courtesy Autumn Johnson/ Patch