Reporter

Whether it be for the food, music, or the animals, the Kern County Fair has 102 years worth of stories to tell.  With variety of selections of funnel cakes, corn dogs, gelato, and others, there’s something for everyone. Many of these vendors are owned by local organizations, such as Boy Scouts and the National Order of Trench Rate Dugout 159.

Fred Powers, a veteran and head of the National Order of Trench Rats Dugout 159, discussed what his organization does with the funds they earn from selling in his words ‘the best burgers and the coldest beer on the Fairgrounds’.

“We have been on the grounds here at the Kern County Fair since 1952,” Powers said. “We’re an old veterans’ organization, [with the goal] to support the veterans that are hospitalized, housebound, and the needy in the community. All of our money raised at the Fairgrounds stays in Kern County.”

The Fair showcases many exhibits in which people can enter into different contests. A branch in particular are the art contests for people of various ages and different mediums. For college students looking into being part of these contest, the entry forms can be found online at the Kern County Fair website along with Exhibit Catalog, which will have the due dates for each piece. The only requirement is that the pieces have to be at least a year old.

Music is a big part of the fair. Throughout the week that the fair is open, every day has a concert with popular acts like The Beach Boys and War as well as many local musical groups, such as The Alley Cats and Mariachi San Marcos, that perform throughout the week.

Brent Michaels, a radio personality with KUZZ, explained what it means to have these big music names perform here in Bakersfield.

“This is the biggest annual event that happens in Kern County every year,” Michaels said. “And I know that, at least on the Country side [of music], a lot of the artists like to come and play it. It’s fun for the people of Bakersfield to have free shows when they get into the Fair, they can go watch. Any time you have national artists coming in and performing in Bakersfield, it always raises the profile.”

Whether it be livestock or something exotic, the Fair has a wide variety of animal shows. The real story is in the livestock showing exhibits. These kids have spent months preparing their animals for this single week, enduring countless setbacks, juggling their time to work on their projects, and often times losing an animal before it even steps into the ring.

Tyler Ruddell, a high school senior with plans to attend Fresno State, shared his experience with raising his pigs.

“For the most part, it’s been pretty fun,” Ruddell said. “Learning how to walk them, learning how to take care of them. I have really no setbacks, other than the fact that a couple of weeks ago, my pig lost fourteen pounds. That was a big loss for him.”

For those who are planning on going to the Fair and staying for extended periods, keep the weather in mind. Mostly, keep hydrated, wear sunscreen, and hat. More importantly, have a good time.