Four days of family fun packed into Country Fair
For family fun and family value, the 39th Annual Ramona Country Fair can’t be beat.
Fair Chairman Sean Leahy stresses that this year’s fair, from July 30 through Aug. 2, is packed with fun for family members of all ages. There’ll be horseshoes, lawn tractor races, an egg toss, watermelon eating contests, Chicken Bingo and more!
Two NASCAR simulators will be on hand by the Ramona Outdoor Community Center (ROCC) Pavilion for wannabe drivers to take for a spin. Contact the Ramona Chamber of Commerce for how to enter the tractor races, 789-1311.
There’ll be food to satisfy any palate: beef, sausage, brats, funnel cakes, kettle corn, cotton candy, lemonade, and a beer and wine garden featuring local wines.
Shoppers will have a wide selection of merchandise to peruse, from essential products and services from local businesses to gift and craft items.
The kids will enjoy the carnival rides, and parents will be pleased to know that they can save money by purchasing the ride tickets in advance at a savings of $3 per ticket. The pre-sold ride tickets are available until July 29 at Albertsons, the chamber office, Elston Hay & Grain, the Java Hut in the Estates, Kaleidoscope in the building that for years housed Ramona Pharmacy, and at Livery Feed & Ranch Supply.
Saturday evening, Aug. 1, features a concert with talent ranging from country vocalist Sara Petite to local rock performers Agavero Revue and Travis Ross, among others.
Also featured in the musical entertainment department, back by popular demand is the Ramona Idol contest, which has been a keystone event of the fair for the past two years.
For weeks leading up to the main event, contestants have gathered at Cheers Bar & Grill every Thursday evening or at Boll Weevil Restaurant on Saturdays for the qualifying portion of the Idol contest. These qualifying events will be going on until July 23 at Cheers and until July 25 at the Boll Weevil. Applications are due by 5:30 p.m. The categories are Tiny Idol aged 7 to 11, Junior Idol aged 12 to 15, Teen Idol aged 16 to 20, and Adults 21 and over.
Under the guidance of Debbie Klem and Assistant Stage Manager and Vocal Coach Gin Bougner, the Ramona Idol contest moves to the ROCC Pavilion. Quarterfinals in each category will be on the first night of the fair, July 30, from 6 to 11 p.m., the semifinals will be Friday evening, July 31, and the finals on Sunday, Aug. 2.
The Sunday finals will feature past Idol finalists performing at 2 p.m. Aja Alycean, pronounced Asia Allison (aka Oberlies), one of the past Ramona Idol winners who has since performed on stage with Billie Rae Cyrus and opened for David Archuleta will be on hand for this finale event of the fair.