The livestock doesn't arrive until Sunday, but there's no shortage of activity at the Santa Maria Fairpark.

Today and Saturday are working days in preparation for this year's Santa Barbara County Fair, which promises not only the traditional exhibits but also a new carnival operator with new rides.

Many of the local exhibitors are already setting up their booths and exhibits while carnival rides are being prepped, cleaned and assembled for the five-day event that starts Wednesday and runs through the following Sunday.

FFA and 4-H members from all over Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties are cleaning pens and putting up their banners before bringing in their animals for next week's big livestock competition. Animals arrive Sunday, and participants in the market animal competition will have to care for their animals until they are sold at auction next Saturday.

This year's fair will be a first for Shamrock Shows, who will be responsible for a good majority of the fun next week.

“We have a new carnival coming to town for this year's fair,” said Joe Brengle, deputy manager of the Santa Maria Fairpark.

One of the featured rides is the Super Shot Drop Tower, which drops riders 90 feet straight down, Brengle said.

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Fair guests will also be greeted by a 130-foot bungee drop featured prominently at the beginning of the concourse when they walk through the main gate.

“Shamrock Shows is bringing in some great rides,” he said. “Thrill seekers are going to have a good time this year.”

Music fans should also have an entertaining time, Brengle added. All shows are included in the price of admission.

The rock 'n' roll group War will kick things off Wednesday night. Kenny Loggins follows Thursday night, and country singer and American Idol finalist Josh Gracin will play July 13.

1980s rock icon Pat Benatar, with husband and guitarist Neil Giraldo, will rock the house July 14. And if the hard-rocking sounds of Benatar aren't enough, people can take in the Destruction Derby.

In response to the success of last year's Rain Forest Exhibit, fair officials have brought in Wild World Animal Tour. The Discovery Pavilion will be transformed into an educational setting for children to view and learn about some of the world's most unusual animals.

The Marcan Tiger Preserve will also present its Tigers of India show, featuring Bengal tigers.

There will also be no shortage of vendor booths: All vendor space has been sold out for several weeks, according to Evelyn Plyler at the fairpark.

“I have a waiting list three pages long for people who want to do business at this year's fair,” she said. “We are totally full. All 196 vendor spaces have been sold.”

The typical fees for a 10-foot by 10-foot vendor space are between $400 and $525.

Buying tickets in advance saves fairgoers money.

Pre-sale ticket prices are $5 for people 12 and over and $3 for those ages 6-11, which is a discount of $2 off the regular price. Wristbands good for unlimited carnival rides are available for $18; once the fair starts, they'll cost $25.

Tickets are available for advance purchase until this Sunday at the fairpark offices; participating Mid-State Bank branches in Santa Maria, Orcutt, Guadalupe, and Nipomo; Super Carniceria La Chiquita Markets in Santa Maria, Guadalupe and Nipomo; and Discoteca Miramar in Santa Maria, Oceano, Paso Robles and Lompoc.

This weekend, tickets may also be purchased from a booth in the Foods Co. parking lot on Broadway in Santa Maria. The ticket booth will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Sunday.

Santa Maria Area Transit and the county fair have teamed up to offer SMAT bus riders a discount for riding the bus to the fair. SMAT riders will receive a ticket when taking the bus to the fair, which they can then present to receive a $1 off admission price. Parking at the fair will cost $5.

Todd Cralley can be reached at 347-4580 or tcralley@santa

mariatimes.com.

July 6, 2007