Cattle Drive Making Last Run At Alameda County Fair Opening Day

PLEASANTON, CA — The Alameda County Fair returns June 14 through July 7, but opening day will mark the end of its famous cattle drive through the streets of Pleasanton. Dubbed the "Last Ride," the 2019 drive will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Main Street.

"This will be the final event where real-life cowboys and cowgirls [drive] a massive herd of cattle through downtown Pleasanton," according to event organizers.

"In terms of the cattle drive, we have loved doing it but just felt is was time to move on from this event. The Alameda County Fair is always reinventing itself and wants to make way for fun, new ideas that will keep our attendees excited about returning year after year," said Liz Rosinski, Alameda County Fair spokesperson.

• Enter To Win Free Tickets To The 2019 Alameda County Fair

In 2017, the cattle drive kicked off the fair with about 150 head, but it was not without some mishaps, according to the East Bay Times. Animal-rights activists from Direct Action Everywhereturned out to protest the drive, saying the event “normalizes and even celebrates animal exploitation.” Protesters held signs that read, “Until every animal is free” and “Animals are not ours to use.”

The 2017 drive also saw a cow break loose from the herd onto someone's front lawn, while some other bovines managed to get onto a resident’s driveway before cowboys and cattle dogs herded them back, according to the East Bay Times.

The 2017 drive kicked off the fair’s "Western Weekend," which was meant to celebrate the valley’s agricultural past. In 2018, the cows returned. "After the tremendous turnout last year, Alameda County Fair is excited to bring back the Opening Day Cattle Drive," said fair CEO Jerome Hoban in a 2018 statement.

Matt Johnson of Direct Action Everywhere was happy to hear that the Alameda County Fair cattle drive is coming to an end. In an email response, he said it is "great to see that animal abuse is increasingly going out of style."

• Alameda County Fair 2019: Deep Discounts, Festivals, Concerts

More on the 2019 Alameda County Fair happenings:

The 2019 Big O Tires Concert Series will roll out big names including Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe, Trace Adkins, Ashanti, Loverboy, Gin Blossoms, Sheila E., Norteño Ramon Ayala with opening artist Yolanda Del Rio, plus many more. Ticket prices vary by show and section and always include fair admission.

New cultural festivals will debut at the fair this year, featuring live entertainment, attractions, and cooking demonstrations. "Out at the Fair" celebrates LGBTQ pride, while the Fiesta, Bollywood, and Asian Pacific celebrations pay homage to the multicultural roots and communities of the Bay Area.

• Fiesta a la Feria – June 16
• Out at the Fair – June 22
• Asian Pacific Celebration at the Fair – June 23
• Bollywood at the Fair – June 30

Live horseracing is returning to the fairground’s racetrack on opening day and will run June 14-16, 20-23, 27-30, July 4-7.

Other events include:

• Nightly fireworks and video show will take place following the concerts at the Bud Light Concert Lawn on the Bay Area Air Quality Management Jumbotron every night (except June 28 and July 4).
• $2 Taste of the Fair, Thursday June 20 and 27, will feature fun-size portions of select fair treats for just two dollars.
• The Fair celebrates Father’s Day on Sunday, June 16, with free admission for dads until 5 p.m.
• Baby Boomers (62+) can visit the fair for free every Friday until 5 p.m.
• The Junior Livestock Auction will be held on Sunday, July 7 at 9 a.m. at the Livestock Pavilion.
• Pig races, exhibits, animals, food, rides, games, Kids’ Park and STEAM Weekends, and more.

For more information including schedules, admission, discount days, and concert and special event ticket info, visit the Fair’s website at www.alamedacountyfair.com.

Read the full East Bay Times story here.