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Carnival rides are always a popular draw at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
A look toward the carnival midway at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton earlier this summer. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
Children and adults alike get to interact with goats and other animals at the petting zoo. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
The 2024 Alameda County Fair is winding down this weekend. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show is among the special attractions at the fair this summer. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
Skilled (or lucky) patrons can leave the fair with a stuffed toy, if they win at one of the many carnival games on the midway. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
Pig races every day at the fair. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
There are plenty of live entertainers around the grounds during the county fair, including this clown who draws laughs from kids. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
Meat and veggies straight off the grill aim to satisfy fairgoers’ hunger. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
The fair’s horse racing meet wraps up July 4-7, 2024. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
These kids take their turn in the saddle at the Pleasanton fairgrounds. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
Carnival rides are always a popular draw at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
Carnival rides are always a popular draw at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
The 2024 Alameda County Fair is winding down this weekend. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
Children and adults alike get to interact with goats and other animals at the petting zoo. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
The 2024 Alameda County Fair is winding down this weekend. (Photo by Chuck Deckert) 
The 2024 Alameda County Fair is winding down this weekend. (Photo by Chuck Deckert)
And just like that, the fourth and final weekend of the Alameda County Fair has arrived.
Pleasanton’s summer showcase event is open from noon to 11 p.m. this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (July 5-7), giving people their last opportunities to visit or return to the fair before it heads out of town.
Among this weekend’s highlights are three more days of horse racing at the fair, which will culminate with two major contests on Sunday — the $50,000 Everett Nevin Stakes and the $150,000 Pleasanton Mile. Post time each day is 1:45 p.m.
The Junior Livestock Auction will be a big draw on closing day, too.
Rounding out this summer’s Big O Tires Concert Series will be country musician Hunter Hayes on Friday, Fast Times (’80s Concert Experience) on Saturday and 40oz to Freedom (Sublime tribute) on Sunday. A drone light show is set to follow each nightly concert.
This weekend will also be the final chance to check out the 2024 displays around the fairgrounds, from competitive and creative exhibitions to educational or hands-on showings to the new “Fields of Gratitude, Thank a Farmer” project. The latter spotlights local farmers, ranchers and other agriculture professionals in Alameda County, such as 3 Calhoun Sisters’ Ranch operating off Mines Road in Livermore.
The fifth generation of the Calhoun family ranchers in the area, sisters Merry, Nancy and Susie are focused on land conservation and regenerative agricultural land management practices in their cattle ranching business, according to fair officials.
“Our hope is that we can become a fully sustainable ranch and also help other farmers and ranchers move towards a more regenerative model,” Nancy Calhoun Mueller said in a press release from the fair last weekend.
Embracing the fair’s ag roots is a major aspect of the summertime event in Pleasanton each year. So is going all-in on the food.
From fried treats to piping hot meals to cool desserts to refreshing drinks and more, the fair is as much about the fare as it is anything else for many visitors. This year, fair officials worked to get the customers involved, unveiling the new Foodie’s Choice Awards.
The winners are in: For the “Crazy New” category, the people voted for “Teriyaki Super Fries” at Pineapple Grill, “Happy Farmer – Jolly Rancher Infused Beverage” at Orange Treet and “Sandia Pop” at Fruit Stand. For the “Red, White & Blue” category, the champions were “Freedom Cheese Dog” at Hand Dipped Corn Dogs, “Celebration Drink” at Boba King” and “Star Spangled Delight (Banana Split) at Mrs. J’s.
Learn more about all the top Foodie’s Choice contestants, plus anything and everything else about the last days of the 2024 fair, at annual.alamedacountyfair.com.
And enjoy looking through the slideshow of photos captured by our freelancer Chuck Deckert at the fairgrounds this summer at the top of this story.
