The Loop Newspaper - Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide

The award-winning Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival, an iconic annual community event is celebrating 81 years. This year’s “Sweet Delights and Carnival Lights” Fair takes place Aug. 16 through 25 at the Antelope Valley Fair & Event Center, 2551 W. Ave. H in Lancaster.

The A.V. Fair, presented by IBEW Local 11 and NECA Los Angeles offers one of the most family friendly, cost efficient, wholesome entertainment events in Southern California. Adult general admission tickets are $13 and youth and senior admission tickets are $9. Active Military get in free with their military service photo ID all 10 days of the fair. Parking for the fair is just $10 (cash only).

NEW to this year’s fair is Los Angeles County Air Show’s “Aerospace Valley STEM Expo” presented by Northrup Grumman and County of Los Angeles. The expo space will host a variety of partners including, the Aerospace Museum, local school robotics teams, pilot autograph opportunities, STEM exhibits, technology petting zoo and more.

Returning this year, is the BACKYARD - a great gathering space to enjoy local independent craft beer, local wine tasting and games like corn hole, Jenga and more. New to this year’s independent beer’s BACKYARD is the free, Brews and Beards competition happening Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.

General admission tickets include free Miller Light grandstand seating to the Palmdale Auto Mall Concert Series, Figure 8 race, and Rural Olympics & Fireworks show. A general admission ticket is the gateway to a plethora of additional “Free Fair Fun” including: Suzy Haner the Hypnotist, Pig Races, Aerospace Valley STEM Expo, live music and dancing at various stages, and so much more. Download the A.V. Fair app for the complete list. The Antelope Valley Fair app will provide information on all things fair including, voting for your favorite food vendor, surveys, push notifications, maps, and more. The app is available at Google Play and the IOS Apple.

There are additional savings as well – including, a $22 season pass, carnival wristbands offering unlimited rides, and special admission days.

“The Antelope Valley Fair has a long tradition of providing fun and opportunities for every generation. Every year we bring in new attractions and this year includes new carnival rides, the Brews and Beards contest, and the LACAS Aerospace Valley STEM Expo. Fair-goers will once again be able to enjoy several new and all-time favorite attractions, all with an admission ticket, including free grandstand seating to our concerts and select arena events. We’re making an effort to ensure that wherever anyone goes, they’ll be able to find something affordable for the entire family to enjoy” said Dan Jacobs, CEO of the Antelope Valley Fair and Event Center.

Special admission days provide even greater bargains:

• Opening day, Friday, Aug. 16, fair admission and parking is free from 4 to 5 p.m. only.

• Monday, Aug. 19 is Kids, Senior and Special Needs Citizens Day. Seniors 62 and older and Special Needs Citizens (with one caregiver) get free admission and parking from 2 to 4 p.m. and a complimentary lunch served between 2 and 3 p.m. Youth 11 & under get free admission after 4 p.m.

• Tuesday, Aug. 20, fair-goers who bring five cans of food for Grace Resource Center will receive one free admission ticket and one ride pass.

• Wednesday, Aug. 21, fair-goers who donate 1 new or 3 gently used elementary level books to the Rotary Club of Lancaster will receive 1 free admission ticket and one ride pass.

• Thursday, Aug. 22, Military Appreciation Day, sponsored by Budweiser, all military personnel and dependents are admitted free entry into Fair with a red carpet entrance.

• Los Angeles County Aerospace Air Show STEM Expo – Free all 10 days with admission

Carnival wristbands, which allow unlimited rides for one day, can be purchased for $35.

Daily parking is just $10 cash only per car and there is free shuttle from the parking lots to the main gate.

A wide range of exhibits are also free including, artwork, floriculture, gems and minerals, small and large livestock, home arts, agriculture, and more. Free hands-on demonstrations in the exhibit halls every day will be available with Fairgrounds admission including quilters, artists, and florists providing demonstrations that don’t cost a thing. There are hundreds of free exhibits at this year’s fair that will delight people of all ages.

For more information visit http://www.avfair.com or call (661) 948-6060.