San Mateo County Fair returns with all of the traditional favorites (and COVID-19 precautions)

Carnival rides. Pig races. Live concerts. And COVID-19 vaccines.

The first Bay Area county fair of the post-pandemic era opened its gates this weekend, with all of the fun plus plenty of precautions. Fairgoers were admonished to wear masks and social distance. Those who hadn’t been vaccinated could get jabbed for free onsite — and receive free admission plus a $20 food voucher and four ride tickets.

“We are excited to welcome the community back to the fairgrounds to enjoy all the attractions,
activities, food, and traditions we missed last year,” Justin Aquino, fair operations
manager, said in his announcement of the festivities. “By offering the opportunity to get vaccines at the fair, we want to encourage the entire community to get vaccinated so we can all safely enjoy the fair for years to come.”

Taking to the stage the first night were rapper Coolio, Young MC, and C+C Music Factory. The fair will reopen Wednesday with cover band Journey Revisited, followed by Petty Fever on Thursday and Creedence Revelation on Friday. Concert seating is free with admission.

On the fair’s final weekend, full-day lineups of musical acts are scheduled for Pacific Islands Day on Saturday and Dia de La Feria on Sunday, June 13.

New this year are exhibits from the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum, a traveling center that brings its educational displays to Bay Area schools, and a “Peninsula at War” history display. Inside the Expo Hall, visitors will find family game and robotic zones as well as fine arts and the floral/agricultural landscapes that have been a traditional draw at this county’s fair.

Advance purchase offers a $5 discount on all tickets. And on Wednesday, ticket prices are reduced for all fairgoers. Find pricing, hours, maps and details at www.sanmateocountyfair.com.