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Hundreds turned out along Main Street in downtown Pleasanton Saturday to watch the Alameda County Fair parade marking the first weekend of this year’s fair.

Marching bands, floats and plenty of politicians filled the parade that went from the Amador Valley High School parking lot south to Angela Street where it turned toward its Fairgrounds destination.

A highlight of the parade was the Balloon Platoon, a long-time favorite of Tri-Valley parades that is comprised of men from the Centerpointe Presbyterian Church men’s club.

Motorcycle police from Pleasanton, firefighters in their trucks from the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department and the Alameda County sheriff’s posse on horseback were in the parade, which also included the color guard from the local posts of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Also in the parade were Congressman Pete Stark and his challenger in the November election, Dublin City Councilman Eric Swalwell; Alameda County supervisors Nate Miley and Scott Haggerty, State Sen. Ellen Corbett; State Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, and three members of the Pleasanton City Council: Cheryl Cook-Kallio, Cindy McGovern and Jerry Thorne.

Thanks to underwriting by the TV30 Foundation, telecasts of the parade are being broadcast today at 11 p.m.; Thursday at noon and 11 p.m., and Friday at 7 p.m.

The fair reported record high attendance last Wednesday, its opening day, with 30,692 revelers pouring onto the fairgrounds to enjoy new rides, activities and special discounts. It was the highest opening day head count since record-keeping began according to organizers of the 17-day fair that runs through Sunday July 8.

With a massive land base of 267 acres, making this one of the largest fairs in California, the 100th year celebration is by itself a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“Centennial celebrations of this magnitude are rare,” said April Mitchell, the Fair’s sales and marketing Manager.” We know how special it is and we are thrilled that fair-goers feel the same way. We invite everyone to come out, share in the fun and make lasting memories here at the Fair.”

This year’s special fair festivities include $1 admission and $1 rides on the first day of the Fair, and a kissing contest on June 24 where couples must kiss for 100 consecutive seconds and then eat cotton candy placed between their mouths.

A new log ride, the White Water Flume, is being introduced to the Fair this summer, expected to be popular on hot days for those who don’t mind a little splash.

Concerts this summer include, among others, Salt-N-Pepa on June 24; Jars of Clay, June 27; Hoobastank, July 6; and Kellie Pickler, July 8.

For more information, visit www.alamedacountyfair.com or call 426-7600

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5 Comments

  1. With the fair being closed on Mondays, can people who,live in the downtown no parking zone-park on the street on Mondays? Mike T a question for you please.

  2. Thanks for your kind coverage of the 100th Alameda County Fair’s Main St Parade.

    The TV30 Foundation was pleased to underwrite the two week broadcast in partnership with the Acapulco Restaurant in Alameda and its proprietor, Gordon Galvan, a Director of the County Fair Board.

    This was he first parade for a few years, and we had a great turnout. If you have Comcast the Parade may be recorded on one’s DVR or TiVo just like any other program.

    The schedule is: Today, Monday, at 9 p.m., Tuesday, 2 p.m.; Wednesday, 11 p.m.; Thursday at noon and 11 p.m., and Friday at 7 p.m. for the next two weeks.

  3. Christine – The current restrictions to parking around the Fair does not take into account the Fair being closed on Monday. The signs are posted prohibiting parking from June 20th to July 8th (some areas are No Parking, others are 9AM – 8PM).

    I will bring up the Monday closure with the Police, Fire and Streets crews at our monthly meeting. I am not sure what type of activity, if any, takes place on Monday’s that would impact the neighborhood. My guess is that there would not be a parking impact. The signage, however, would have another layer of confusion as the restrictions would be June xx to July xx, 9AM to 8PM and Tue-Sun. I believe with just the 2 monday’s each year it was decided to make the restriction more easily understood by blanketing the entire 2 week period.

    Mike Tassano
    Deputy Director of Community Development, Transportation

    PS – you can always reach me at mtassano@cityofpleasantonca.gov to get more immediate email responses.

  4. Does anyone remember the “Good Times” parade? I think that’s what it was called. It was on Main Street back in the late 1970’s. That was a fun parade. I think it was promoted by a bay area radio station.

  6. Yes, the “Good Times Parade” was hosted by Mike Cleary and Frank Dill of KNBR radio. I think it was held for several years and drew pretty big crowds.

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