Few memories are stronger than the smell of freshly spun cotton candy, the music of the carousel and the lights of the Ferris wheel during a fair. The Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival has helped create these memories for more than 75 years. The 10-day event is a celebration of the coming fall and the region’s agrarian past, set to the tunes of headlining musicians and the roar of the excited exhibition crowds.
History
- The modern day Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival grew out of an 1895 two-day community celebration of the harvest in Lancaster, California. Celebrity performers joined the rejuvenated event in 1938, but farming and local agriculture continued to be at the center of the festival. Today, headliner musical entertainment, a celebration of the farming community in the form of Rural Olympics and competitions such as bake-offs and livestock exhibitions blend to create an exciting event that draws nearly 200,000 people.
What to Expect
- In past years, headliners like The Beach Boys, Sheryl Crow, Foreigner, Trisha Yearwood and Whitesnake have performed in the concert series, while other nights have been filled with monster truck exhibitions, demolition derbies, the Rural Olympics and a fireworks show. Carnival rides, a wide variety of food booths, bull riding and home arts exhibits are a just a few of the other attractions going on every night of the fair.
- Rural Olympics
- The Rural Olympics is the signature event of the Antelope Valley Fair. Community members compete in events like a hay stealing contest, hay wagon races and a tug of war. Local records are tested in areas like tractor and semi-trailer backing, tractor racing and gravel truck transfer. The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame was created in 2005 in order to recognize the achievements of competitors.
Logistics
- Most events during the 10-day festival do not begin until the late afternoon, giving patrons a chance to escape the worst of the 100-degree plus heat that is typical of the western Mojave Desert. Still, be prepared for the heat and be sure to keep hydrated. Active military with identification and kids under the age of 6 are admitted free. Seniors and children ages 6 to 11 receive an admission discount. Seating in the grandstands for the concerts is free with the purchase of a general admission ticket to the fair. Floor seating and standing room tickets closer to the stage can be purchased at an additional cost.
