The Santa Maria Strawberry Festival promises thrills April 26-28 at the Santa Maria Fairpark, and the ride setting the bar this year is the OMG!

Festival officials call it a chance to spin, twist and drop on the wildest ride on the Central Coast. Riders are swung to and fro while they sit on one of four benches that spin individually, attached to an arm that also spins the four benches.

Santa Maria Fairpark CEO Richard Persons said that each year the Midway of Fun, which presents the carnival for the Strawberry Festival, changes things up by adding fresh rides.

“There are so many great rides, but the OMG! is the ultimate experience. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it will take your breath away,” Persons said.

Other new rides offer a mix of fun for the youngest of fans, as well as for those who tolerate a little more exhilaration.

Families can take a twirl in a strawberry at the Berry go Round, take to the skies with the Flying Elephants, and explore the dark corners of the Lost Mine. The adventurous can feel the wind in their faces as they swing from 60 feet up on the Star Tower.

Old favorites will include the Sea Dragon, the Tilt a Whirl, the Lolli Swings, Wipeout, Vertigo, Zipper, or Tornado.

Discounted admission tickets and unlimited carnival wristbands are on sale now at Vallarta Supermarkets, Tortilleria Mexico, and La Miramar stores. Tickets are also available at www.SantaMariaFairpark.com or on the fairpark’s Facebook page.

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Staff Report

The Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival and the Santa Barbara County Fair are all about incredible eats, rip-roaring rides, and fantastic fun—so who better to represent the events to the community than a kid? The Santa Maria Fairpark is looking for outgoing, enthusiastic kids aged 12 and younger to be their next Kid Reporter.

The Kid Reporter will get a sneak peek at the rides, the food, and the fun before anyone else. He or she will use that experience to star in our social media videos and report to the community about what’s in store at this year’s events. The Kid Reporter will also get an unlimited ride wristband, and a family four-pack of admission tickets to the events he or she represent.

Fairpark CEO Richard Persons said he’s looking forward to seeing the talent the community holds, and the creative ways prospective Kid Reporters express their enthusiasm for the events.

“The Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival and the Santa Barbara County Fair are all about youth in the community—from the livestock events to the rides and entertainment, so having a young person represent the events just fits,” he said.

Submit entry videos or video links to PR@santamariafairpark.com by April 21.

Visit http://www.santamariafairpark.com/p/getinvolved/394 for full details on how to enter.

The Santa Barbara County Fair runs July 12-16. For more information, visitwww.santamariafairpark.com or Like us on Facebook.

The Santa Maria Fairpark serves as the hub for major events and community activities on California’s Central Coast. The state-owned facility hosts the annual Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival, which attracts more than 70,000 people and is home to its headlining event the Santa Barbara County Fair, which is attended by more than 140,000 people.

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