El Dorado County fair incorporates varied events into 4 days

“A little bit country and a little bit rock n’ roll” — that’s the idea behind the theme for the 2011 El Dorado County Fair coming to the fairgrounds in Placerville for four days over Fathers Day weekend, June 16-19.

El Dorado County marks its 152nd year of celebrating the people, agriculture, art, music, natural resources and industries that make the county unique and special. From the rockin’ sounds of Ricky & the Redstreaks to a Hollywood Stunt Show, from homemade jams to hand-crafted quilts, from pigs in pens to wild monkeys, the El Dorado County Fair brings livestock, live music, arts and crafts, family fun, and more to center stage.

Fairgoers can expect all their favorite and traditional activities, such as cooking demonstrations, Clifton & Warren’s Kids Corral games and shows, wine tasting, wheel-barrel racing, and team penning, plus a full schedule of music ranging from classic rock to blues, country to soul, and ’70s rock to the music of the 1950s Rat Pack. Featured on Friday evening are The Train and Ricky & the Redstreaks. The Train got its start at the El Dorado County Fair in the late 1960s and is reuniting to play the fair this summer.

Plus, on Saturday evening, fairgoers can enjoy a full 5 1/2 hours of music featuring the Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin tribute bands—all included with the price of admission.

Featured special events at the Grandstands this year include the Sacramento Wrestling Federation’s Hangtown Showdown and the Monster Truck Pull and Moto X Spectacular. These events carry an additional charge, which includes admission to the fair. Fairgoers who plan to attend the 2pm Monster Truck Pull on Saturday are invited to arrive early for free rides on the Monster Truck from 1-2pm. Truck rides are also available after the 2pm show and before and after the 7pm show for $5.

Of course, no fair would be complete without animals. Traditional livestock competitions and exhibits, including the Mother Lode Fair Circuit Ranch Horse Show and the Junior Livestock Auction, take place throughout the fair’s four-day run. Or, if you have something more exotic in mind, check out Wild About Monkeys—the only traveling animal exhibition featuring trained baboons.

Humpz and Hornz Bull Riding, Mutton Bustin’, train rides on the Rawhide Express and Susan Rosen Mistress of Mesmerism, plus contests galore from photography to wine making and the Battle of the Bands to a Father-Child Look Alike contest, all help to round out a full schedule of  family fun.

Go online for guidelines on how to enter the many contests and other events at the fair, as well as to view a full schedule of activities.