Staff Report

The Santa Maria Fairpark is excited to share a lineup of events for a summer full of fun in 2021.  Although the traditional Santa Barbara County Fair will not take place this year, the Fairpark will have some amazing activities to look forward to starting in July.   

The Fairpark is hosting Helm and Sons Amusements Greatest Portable Theme Park on July 8-11.  Similar to a traditional theme park, a one-price entry ticket allows you access to unlimited carnival rides, all live entertainment and shows and so much more. Tickets are available now by visiting the Santa Maria Fairpark website and are $30 for ages 10 and under and $40 for ages 11 and over. 

Helm and Sons Amusements Greatest Portable Theme Park will be open Thursday through Sunday from 2 to 10 p.m. on each day.  It will include kettle corn, funnel cakes and corn dogs, among others of the favorite fair foods. There will also be many games throughout the grounds for you to try your luck with. Food, drinks, and games are available for purchase and get ready to use Magic Money, a cashless system that makes it easy to purchase those extras you want during your visit.  For more information regarding this event please go to the website www.helmandsons.com.

Santa Barbara County Fair Virtual Livestock Show and Auction will take place July 15 and 16. Many local kids in our community that work very hard every year raising animals and/or building a project for the fair will show the results of their efforts. A staple of the Santa Barbara County Fair, it was important to the fair administration, board members and volunteers to offer the annual livestock show and auction. This year’s virtual auction will feature market beef, goat, sheep, swine, replacement heifers and industrial arts from the local 4-H, FFA and independent students. Those interested may pre-register as a virtual auction buyer now or support this program by sponsoring a junior livestock award.  For more information on this event, you may email entries@santamariafairpark.com.

Arriba Entertainment will bring the second dance of the year on July 25to the Fairpark’s Minetti Arena and will be featuring Banda el Recodo and Los Destrucores bull riding. Tickets are available at VMGconcerts.com.  

For more information go to our website at http://www.santamariafairpark.com

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The Santa Maria Fairpark and Santa Maria Fairpark Foundation will host the inaugural Festival of Lights Holiday Event and second annual Jingle Mingle Holiday Market, Dec. 4-6 at the fairpark. The event will include fair-themed food trucks, Santa and Mrs. Claus and thousands of lights.

The Festival of Lights, taking place from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4-6, will be a drive-thru event along the paths and roadways of the fairgrounds, with local businesses and organizations turning the fairgrounds into a winter wonderland.

Each ticket holder will receive an activity book with a variety of activities, along with sponsor ads and food menus for the food trucks that will be in the parking lot at the end of the Festival of Lights drive.

The Jingle Mingle Holiday Market craft fair showcases local artists and crafters. Paired this year with the Santa Maria Fairpark Festival of Lights event, the market is expected to bring in hundreds of shoppers. Holiday Market hours will be 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 and 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

For more information, visit http://www.santamariafairpark.com/p/getinvolved/festival-of-lights.

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After having to cancel the Santa Maria Strawberry Festival because of the COVID-19 outbreak, officials at the Santa Maria Fairpark announced on April 3 the addition of a new festival to the fall schedule. 

The event isn’t yet named, but officials wanted to get the word out about it so that people will have something to look forward to, according to Fairpark CEO Richard Persons.

“It’s a tough time everywhere right now, and we wanted to give people something positive to look forward to,” Persons said. “We’ve secured a carnival and set the date for a new festival in the fall, to take place the weekend of Oct. 23 through 25.”

Persons went on to say that the new event will feature some great rides, plus all the food, games, attractions and other fun people love about the Strawberry Festival and the Santa Barbara County Fair. 

In the meantime, officials encouraged the public to continue to be vigilant about their health by staying home as much as possible and washing their hands. 

Planning for events beginning in June, as well as preparations for the Santa Barbara County Fair, scheduled from July 15-19, continues. According to Persons, expectations are that the fair will proceed as planned. Any changes to that event will be announced via social media, and the public is encouraged to check the Fairpark’s Facebook page regularly at Facebook.com/SantaMariaFairpark.

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The Board of Directors of the Santa Ynez Valley Opportunity Shop has presented a $10,000 donation to the eighth annual Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Santa Maria Fairpark.

Opportunity Shop Founding President Karen Jones, current President Art Kaslow, Treasurer Terri Kaslow and Operations Director Katy Atkinson delivered an oversized $10,000 check to Santa Barbara County 5^th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, whose office coordinates the Stand Down.

“Stand Down is successful because of our committed volunteers and our generous donors,” Lavagnino said. “The Santa Ynez Valley Opportunity Shop really stepped up for our veterans and will undoubtedly make the lives of many veterans much better. The Opportunity Shop’s generosity will allow us to continue to meet the needs of the most vulnerable veterans in our community.”

In 2018, 530 veterans were helped during the one-day Stand Down, including 171 homeless veterans and 56 female veterans. Almost 650 volunteers worked during the event, and 121 services were offered, including clothing, haircuts, behavioral wellness counseling, legal aid, dental and medical screenings, housing assistance, employment aid, pet care, social services and more.

The Opportunity Shop started during World War II in Buellton as a “canteen” for soldiers. When it reincorporated in 2010, its mission statement was created to include help for veterans and other worthy causes, Jones said. The shop also annually gives thousands of dollars in scholarships to local high school students.

“We give people an opportunity, and Stand Down is making opportunities for veterans,” Jones said. “There is plenty of help for veterans, and Stand Down gets people connected with that help. It’s all in one place — it’s a one-stop shop. It’s a way we can connect.”

Dr. Kaslow, a dentist, calls the Opportunity Shop’s gift an “impact” donation. He knows first-hand some of the needs of veterans – he is a retired colonel with the U.S. Army Medical Reserves, with multiple deployments, including Iraq and Afghanistan. He served active duty from 1983 to 1988.

“We donate tens of thousands of dollars to nonprofits,” Dr. Kaslow said. “We felt that as a percent of our budget, we needed to direct our efforts to veterans. There are lots of needy organizations, but this takes care of over 500 people at once. There’s no better way we can touch the lives of 500 people than by giving this donation.”

At the Stand Down, veterans can learn about opportunities and programs such as veterans treatment court, California ID Cards, housing, employment and training, mental health, legal assistance, and social services.

Applications for veterans who want to attend the Stand Down are available at the Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down website, www.sbcountystanddown.com, or by calling Lavagnino’s office at 805-346-8402.

Applications can be emailed, mailed or faxed upon request. There is no charge to veterans and their families who attend Stand Down.

For more information, see sbcountystanddown.com or Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down on Facebook.

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What’s more spectacular than a Moto X rider performing aerial maneuvers, like 360-degree backflips, while flying 30 feet in the air for over 80 feet? Audiences will find out at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at the Santa Maria Fairpark.

Visitors will thrill to what some of the top freestyle Moto X riders in the nation can do with nothing but sky beneath their wheels. Top Moto X riders like Fitz Army/Metal Mulisha Superstar, Jimmy Fitzpatrick, will perform at the Budweiser Minetti Arena.

In Monster Truck madness, Tony Canedo, The Flying Spaniard, driving the 10,000-pound, 2,000-horsepower monster Playing for Keeps, competes against Jeff Souza driving The Enforcer.

And, presenting an incredible freestyle performance in his mini-monster truck High Risk will be 11-year-old Corbin Shockey.

Quad Wars will feature some of the fastest racers in the country battling it out for a grand prize. Watch Team Santa Maria as it takes on Team LA in a quad race around the arena on a course punctuated by sharp turns and jumps.

Captain Tyler Holcomb and his Santa Maria team take on Todd the Quad God and his team from Los Angeles.

Tickets are $15 and include admission to the festival. Buy tickets at www.santamariafairpark.com.

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For some fairgoers the entertainment, fair food, and live entertainment make the Santa Barbara County Fair memorable, but for others it’s all about the rides. The Santa Barbara County Fair runs July 11-15, and this year Helm and Sons Amusements will bring a number of new rides, including some that have a special connection to Santa Barbara County.

Several rides from Santa Ynez Valley’s Neverland Ranch—the property once owned by pop singer Michael Jackson, who died June 25, 2009—will once again entertain audiences. According to Helm and Sons Amusements vice president, Corey Oakley, there will be three rides from Neverland: the Zipper, the Lolli Swing, and the Spyder.

The rides have a long history with Helm and Sons. It started when the grandfather of current owner Davy Helm owned a ride called The Wave Swinger. Michael Jackson attended an event where the ride appeared and fell in love with it, Oakley said. He asked the elder Helm if he could buy it. Instead Jackson was offered a lease.

After that arrangement, Helm and Sons had responsibility for procuring and upkeep of rides at Neverland under a non-disclosure agreement that expired upon Jackson’s passing.

The amusement operator owns six rides from Neverland and Oakley said a lot of people enjoy the significance of enjoying a ride that once was a part of the Neverland Ranch.

In all, Helm and Sons will have 32 rides and attractions at the Santa Barbara County Fair.

New rides include a kiddie roller coaster called the Little Dipper; a kiddie ride called the Krazy Train, made of fire truck, semis replicas; and the Himalaya, which Oakely called a super spectacular ride.

Oakley said that Helm and Sons really wants to focus on atmosphere. “We’re trying to be a little different and try to create a theme park atmosphere,” he said. That even extends to having continuity in the music played at each ride.

There will be an old school Band Organ in the kids’ area for ambience. In the main carnival area, you can also catch a performance by the Royal Circus, a family of five performers who present a circus-type show with a high wire act, comedy, and magic. The show lasts 20-25 minutes and is free.

They’ll also add to that ambience with various passive experiences that invite visitors to sit back and enjoy. An example of that includes the Dancing Waters attraction, something he likens to a miniature version of the dancing fountains at The Bellagio in Las Vegas. Visitors can sit back and watch the water dance to music.

Oakley said that Helm and Sons tries to incorporate changes like these each year to keep things fresh and make sure visitors enjoy their time at the Fair. “We always need to stay a step ahead,” Oakley said.

For more information, visit www.santamariafairpark.com or Like us on Facebook.

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Kool & the Gang, performers of hits including “Ladies Night,” “Cherish,” “Jungle Boogie,” and “Celebration,” will perform Friday, July 13 at the Santa Barbara County Fair.

The group has earned two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide. It has also had 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten pop hits, and 31 gold and platinum albums.

The group developed their signature instrumental sound and fierce horn arrangements in 1969 with their self-titled debut album, and then refined that sound throughout the 1970s with a series of hit albums that wowed not only fans but such contemporaries as James Brown and Nina Simone.

Those years also produced the immortal party anthems “Funky Stuff,” “Hollywood Swinging,” and the platinum smash “Jungle Boogie.” They are also responsible for hits including “Higher Plane”; the classic “Summer Madness,” which was featured on the Grammy-winning movie soundtrack of “Rocky”; and “Open Sesame,” which was featured on the top-selling movie soundtrack of all time, “Saturday Night Fever.”

By 1979, Kool & The Gang had released their first platinum album with “Ladies Night.”

In the 1980s the band released the double-platinum album “Celebrate,” driven by the international monster hit “Celebration,” which spent six weeks atop the R&B chart, became a No. 1 pop single, and was played as the American hostages returned from Iran.

The band re-entered the Billboard R&B chart with 2006’s “Steppin’ Into Love.” That same year they received the Chairman Award for lifetime achievement in record sales from the National Association of Recording Merchandisers.

The band remains one of the most active touring bands, performing hundreds of shows every year, including a 2012 national tour with Van Halen and multiple television appearances.

For more information, visit www.santamariafairpark.com.

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Sheila E., who turns pop, jazz, and Latin sounds into energetic hits, will perform July 14 at the Santa Barbara County Fair.

She is the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter behind hits that include “The Glamorous Life” and “A Love Bizarre,” but also a world-class drummer and percussionist who has worked with Beyoncé, Ringo Starr, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Herbie Hancock, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan and George Duke.

“Sheila E. expertly blends a variety of musical styles and delivers them in a dynamic performance. We’re looking forward to the energy she’ll bring to her performance at the fair,” said Santa Maria Fairpark CEO Richard Persons.

Her collaboration with Prince helped launch her to stardom. Their Purple Rain recording sessions — including her vocals on the 1984 classic “Erotic City” — helped launch her solo career.

Her debut album, “The Glamorous Life,” spun off the Grammy Award-nominated top 10 hit of the same name along with a second top 40 single, “The Belle of St. Mark.” While a drummer, songwriter, and musical director for Prince’s backup band, she released three solo albums.

She has also released two Latin jazz albums under the name E Train, has acted in films, and published her autobiography, “The Beat of My Own Drum.”

Concert admission is free with admission to the fair, which will run from July 11-15. This year’s theme celebrates “Cowboys and Carousels.”

For more information, visit www.santamariafairpark.com or Like the fair’s Facebook page.

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Country music star Coffey Anderson spends most of his time touring, putting out albums, and wowing his ever-growing fan base with his charismatic stage shows. As Anderson’s star rises, he’s careful to use his talents to give back.

One way that Anderson, who will be headlining the Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival on April 28, likes to do that is by partnering with charities and organizations that benefit military veterans.

“It’s impressive when a hard-working artist can consistently give his all to his audiences but still devote time to being charitable,” said Fairpark CEO Richard Persons.

In December Anderson performed at the Armed Forces Bowl, which was broadcast on ESPN, and he helps raise funds to award mortgage-free homes to wounded war heroes through his partnership Military Warriors Support Foundation (MWSF) based in San Antonio, Texas. Through a partnership with Leer Vineyards out of Byron, CA he’s also the face of Heroic Red Wine. A portion of every bottle of Heroic Red sold goes to MWSF. Anderson’s life-sized likeness can now be found in Wal-Mart Supercenter’s across the country, alongside the Heroic Red Wine. He also partners with Leer to benefit Keegan’s Promise, an organization that helps couples with the financial burdens of adoption.

With numerous Country-Western and faith-based albums out, Coffey Anderson has charted on the Billboard 200 and has amassed a following that has reached nearly 80,000 YouTube subscribers with more than 20 million video views.

The former American Idol and Nashville Star contestant has found his stride with songs like “Better Today” and “Mr. Red White and Blue,” that have quickly become fan favorites. His impressive performances, solid singing chops, Southern charm, and cowboy good looks also nabbed him the 2017 Hottest Country Male Nominee honor by Cosmopolitan magazine.

Coffey Anderson and his Band will perform two shows on April 28 at the Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival. The appearance is co-sponsored by The Towbes Group Inc., and Aera Energy, and is free with paid admission to the Strawberry Festival. Discounted admission tickets and carnival wristbands are on sale now at Vallarta Supermarkets in Santa Maria, La Miramar Wester Wear stores, Tortilleria Mexico restaurants or online at www.santamariafairpark.com

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The Western Fairs Association has honored the Santa Maria Fairpark with several achievement awards for the advertising materials for the Santa Barbara County Fair and Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival.

“We are thrilled to receive such recognition from our industry peers. No doubt we owe this achievement to our partnership with the terrific team at S. Lombardi & Associates and with our talented photographer Michael Collins. We’re honored to share these awards with them,” said Santa Maria Fairpark CEO Richard Persons.

The annual awards by WFA recognize fairs for outstanding achievement in a variety of areas of fair management and community outreach.

Because of strong attendance at the Fairpark’s biggest event, the Santa Barbara County Fair, this year the organization was placed into a higher competition category alongside large fairs, making the award an even bigger honor.

“We’re thrilled to have earned awards in these categories,” owner Steve Lombardi said. “We’re honored to be competing with much larger fairs and still achieving great awards.”

The fairpark and the advertising agency won first place in four advertising categories, second place in another, and third in five more.

In addition, photos by Collins — featuring kids enjoying a thrill ride and presenters giving audiences a demonstration at the Santa Barbara County Fair’s train exhibit — took second- and third-place honors.

The WFA is a nonprofit trade association that serves more than 800 members of the fair industry throughout the western United States and Canada.

For more information, visit www.santamariafairpark.com or like the fairpark’s Facebook page.

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