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Closing weekend has arrived at the Alameda County Fair, the final opportunity to ride that ride, play that game, sample that fried dish, catch that concert or whatever you enjoy most about Pleasanton’s summer showcase.
My family visited for about five hours last Saturday, going from late afternoon until just after dark to beat the heat, which at its peak was still a manageable low-90s feel in the sun. (That’s probably one of the headlines for the 2025 fair, comfortable temperatures, with no triple digits recorded and a nice forecast in the 80s for the final days.)
At 3-1/2 years old now, it was fun watching how my son’s experience – what he gravitated toward this year – differed from his other three Pleasanton fairs.
We spent more time around the animals, spent more energy on games and spent more money on ice cream at fair No. 4.
Francis was fascinated by the livestock display and enthralled by the petting zoo. He walked almost every aisle of show pigs, and then proceeded to pet almost every animal he could. He said the small donkey was his favorite, but brushing the goats was popular too.
He also checked out the small critters room in the exhibition area, although one grandmother had to head for the exit when it came time to roam among the snakes.
In a pleasant surprise for our whole group, he perused the collectibles exhibit – in its air-conditioned hall – for a good 15 minutes or so. The new layout in the room caught my eye, seeming better for both congregation and flow.
Francis’ favorite was the prominent “Incredible Hulk” display by Chris Thomas of Foster City, which won first place in its division and a Best of Show award. He liked the Disney villains, “Star Wars” franchise and “Cars” vehicles as well.
Of course the “Black Panther” display drew Franny too; he did don that character’s mask as facepaint for most of the fair. As the sun set, after the sweat and wipe-streaks, he looked more like a professional wrestler in the waning minutes of a long, tough match.
Francis did scratch his own competitive itch – or maybe just the side of him that wanted to bring home four stuffed animals – in the children’s games area. Balloon darts and floating duck ring toss were his jam.
He didn’t want to use his unlimited rides wristband at first, but we circled back at dusk. At 41 inches tall, he was one notch short of being able to go by himself on the rides he wanted. So I joined him.
While sitting in the back seat on the Squadron airplane ride and watching him smile and shout “This is amazing”, it hit me that this could be the last time I get on these kid’s attractions with him.
Not much sustenance was consumed that night, but plenty of food and drink. A few bites of corn dog passed as dinner for him (I tried the new grilled octopus on a stick) to accompany the ice cream, kettle corn and Dole whips (plural). Plus the funnel cake for the drive home, after I withstood a 15-minute wait for our fried dessert on the way out.
And, oh, was it worth the wait. I can only imagine how much longer the line will be this Saturday and Sunday.
It’s a busy schedule this final weekend, although remember the fair closes early on Friday for the Fourth of July and there is no concert that night.
After country legend Clint Black’s concert, followed by a fireworks and drone, set for Thursday, the final two shows in the concert series will see Revisiting Creedence (a CCR tribute) on Saturday and La Original Banda El Limón as the closing act Sunday.
The Movies on the Lawn series, which starts at 6 p.m. each evening, will wrap up with “You Just Can’t See Them From The Road” on Friday, “Madagascar” on Saturday and “Encanto” on Sunday. The former is a film by the California Rangeland Trust that explores the state’s agricultural roots and the importance of farming in Alameda County, fair officials noted.
The “Monsters of Destruction” monster truck show will also perform each day at 6 p.m. The Junior Livestock Auction is another main draw on Sunday, with registration at 8 a.m. and the bidding beginning at 9 a.m.
It’s the last chance for Alameda County Fair memories in 2025, so make the most of it.
Editor’s note: Jeremy Walsh is the editorial director for the Embarcadero Media Foundation’s East Bay Division. His “What a Week” column is a recurring feature in the Pleasanton Weekly, Livermore Vine and DanvilleSanRamon.com.
