The 2025 Tulare County Fair officially kicks off with a parade through downtown Tulare at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, followed by opening ceremonies at noon.

The fair continues with a busy schedule of activities through Sept. 14.

Once again, the fair will feature livestock competitions, the Destruction Derby, a wide variety of food vendors, and internationally known musical acts such as 38 Special, Ned Ledoux, Jackson Dean and Hazard County.

Other attractions will include Sea Lion Splash, The Birdman, ventriloquist Vikki Gasko Green, Kiddle Karoo’s Monster Bash, Umbrella Ship stilt walkers, free train tours, Animal Cracker Conspiracy, The Wilder Show, fire dancing, the balloon magic of Balloonacy, art exhibits and a carnival.

What’s Your Flavor of Adventure?

Deciding on the most popular attractions at the fair “would kind of depend on what your flavor of fair adventure is,” according to Payton Ryan, Tulare County Fairgrounds marketing director.

“There are a lot of people that say they come for the food, but we also host four nights of national level concerts in our Groppetti Automotive Concert Pavilion, so some people come for the shows,” she said. “A lot of people also come for our free variety entertainment that we have wandering around the fairgrounds, and for the carnival, of course.”

“It really depends on who you are,” she added. “Everybody’s got a different answer.”

The annual Demolition Derby is another top attraction for many attendees.

“We’re excited to have it back,” Ryan said. “We either sell out or get very close to selling out pretty much every single year. That is just a very fun event for the motorsports community in Tulare County.”

There will be at least one new item available from the many food vendors.

“We’ll have Korean corn dogs this year … they are interesting and delightful,” Ryan said.

The Fair and Patriotism

The theme of this year’s fair is “Stars, Stripes, and Carnival Lights,” once again connecting the fair with patriotism.

“Part of it is the fact that for the last couple of years now, the fair has fallen on September 11,” Ryan said. “That is something that’s important for us to recognize each year, especially when an event that’s supposed to be full of happiness and joy and whimsy falls on a day that holds such a heavy history for the U.S.

Themes are chosen by Tulare County Fairgrounds Board

“There are options that are suggested by staff and board members, but ultimately, the official theme comes down to a board vote,” Ryan said. “Our board has been feeling extra patriotic.

“We have the Tulare County Quilts for Patriots, which is something that we do every single year,” she said. “It is a program and a ceremony meant to honor service members and veterans, and it’s a community-led program.”

The fair is also notorious for agriculture, 4-H and FFA programs, Ryan said.

“Our annual auction always does really well,” Ryan said. “It’s really cool to watch our community come out and support these hard working kids that have spent all year putting together these really impressive agricultural projects.”

For tickets or more information call (559) 686-4707 or visit the Tulare County Fair website.

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This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: 2025 Tulare County Fair offers food, auctions, carnival, top bands
Reporting by Steve Pastis, Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
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