Racing pigs, live music, food, carnival rides and more, the Placer County Fair is here!

From adorable racing pigs to exhibits, music, food, carnival rides and more, the Placer County Fair kicked off Thursday, June 26, and continues through Sunday, June 29. The family-friendly fair is one of the largest events in Placer County and organizers say they expect some 20-thousand people to attend. The event is being held @the Grounds at 700 Event Center Drive in Roseville, with hours 5-11 pm Thursday and Friday, and noon to 11 pm on the weekend. The Fair's theme this year is "Soundtrack to Summer," with an emphasis on live music at the Attaway Pavilion; event organizers say there are a number of improvements and additions to this year's fair to keep it fresh and exciting. "We're committed to elevating the quality of the Fair every year to attract more fairgoers and provide new experiences for families who have made the Fair an annual tradition," said Kim Summers, CEO of Placer Valley Tourism and @the Grounds, which manages the Fair. "We're excited about the changes and looking forward to celebrating with the community." Free concerts, entertainment, livestock barnes, motorsports mayhem Some marque events: Opening night will bring the Placer County Scholarship Pageants; Sunday brings the fifth annual Placer County Fair Rib Cook-Off, one of the most popular events that requires an additional ticket at $40 per person that provides one rib from each competing team. Rib cook-off tickets are limited and sell out fast. The Fair will also feature 11 free concerts, from tribute band Journey Revisited on Thursday night to The Outlaw Mariachi on Sunday night. Two concerts are scheduled for Thursday and Friday nights at the Attaway Pavilion, with four concerts on Saturday and three performances Sunday. Fairgoers will also enjoy free daily entertainment, including the return of the All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, Tyzen: The Comedy Hypnotist, and the Silver Starlets, an aerial silk show. Mind Works, with interactive games for all ages, is new to the Fair. The Butler Amusements carnival will feature about 20 rides, such as the family-friendly Century Wheel – think of a modern Ferris wheel – and a merry-go-round to the much faster Zipper and the new Khaos, a massive ride that spins and makes riders feel weightlessness. The carnival will be divided into two areas for the third year, giving fairgoers more space and separating the adult- and teen-focused rides from those more oriented for children. The Fair has also introduced Motorsports Mayhem – four types of car and motorcycle events 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the All American Speedway. Motorsports Mayhem includes a demonstration of formula drift cars, flat-track motorcycle races, motocross-style riders with jumps as part of a Stadium Bikes event, and a demolition derby, where cars crash into each other and the driver with the last operating vehicle is the winner. Motorsports Mayhem is free with Fair admission. VIP tickets will be available. For many, the fair experience includes the livestock barns and show rings, where cute pygmy goats share space with 1,000-pound steer. (Birds, such as chicks and turkeys, are not allowed this year because of the risk of avian flu.) Hundreds of FFA and 4-H students showcase their animals, dedication and hard work in the hope of Blue Ribbons and possibly a hefty price at the auction on Saturday morning. The livestock auction reached a record $453,000, an impressive gain from $400,000 in 2023. ART EXHIBITS, FOOD BOOTHS AND THE FAMILY FUN ZONE Still exhibits, where residents can compete in everything from various arts and crafts categories such as painting and photography to quilting, are also a fair tradition. Still exhibits are in Jones Hall, close to the Fair entrance. The Fair also includes about 20 food booths, from ice cream sandwiches to fresh-squeezed lemonade, and 125 commercial vendors. Many of the commercial vendors, offering custom arts and crafts, will be inside the air-conditioned Roebbelen Center. The 160,000-square-foot building will also house the Family Fun Zone, featuring interactive games, including a dance floor and giant Simon Says. There is also free entertainment, such as the Silver Starlets, and wine tasting in the Roebbelen Center. Admission to the Fair is $10 for adults; $6 for children 6 to 13 years old, and children 5 and under are free. Admission for military members and seniors 65 years and older is $8. Fairgoers can save $2 per ticket if purchased online before midnight June 25. More information and how to purchase tickets are available at placercountyfair.org. Parking is $10 per day.