DRONE SHOWS, hot air balloons, fireworks, and more are set to take flight at this year’s Alameda County Fair.
The fair returned to Pleasanton for the 2025 season Friday and will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. until July 6.
Located at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, the large event has a carnival section, kids zone, ag-venture area, and more.
“The fair is a cherished annual tradition for so many, celebrating the culture and community of Alameda County,” said Angel Moore, COO of the Alameda County Fairgrounds. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome our guests back for a truly amazing summer.”
Fair spokesperson Liz Rosinski spoke about what she is most excited for guests to experience this year.
“One of the things I’m really excited for this first week is our hot air balloon rides at night. I’m really excited about the Big O Tires concert series,” Rosinski said. “We’ve got a lot of great action sports that we’ve lined up that are new, that are happening every weekend.”
Hot air balloon rides will run through June 22. Guests will be able to ride free on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 8 p.m. each night. Balloons will remain tethered as guests travel up to 100 feet in the air.
Speaking about the Big O Tires concert series, Rosinski said, “we try to get acts that really appeal to everyone. So whether it’s Latin or country or rock, they’re hugely popular.”
This year two bands playing Mexican regional music will take to the stage, Mi Banda El Mexicano and La Original Banda El Limón.
Rosinski says their presence is reflective of the diverse community in Alameda County.
While freestyle motocross events have been present at the fair before, Rosinski says this year’s lineup of new action sports is sure to excite audiences.
“The new ones that we’re doing are the Off Axis Show this weekend,” she said. “Next weekend, it’s a tractor pull. We will have monster trucks too.”
Vendors will be selling goods throughout the fair. Items being sold include food, handmade products, jewelry and electronics.
Planting new roots
Amber Ring, owner of plant shop Driftwood Marketplace, said she grew up going to the fair.
“We have pretty good business here because people are not used to seeing plants at a fair and we make good connections with them,” she said.
Fair patrons Sharon and Haley Kotnik said they love going to fairs every year.
“I’m visiting from Indianapolis. I decided to come today because I wanted to spend time with my daughter and grandchild,” Sharon said.
Also making their debut are the camel paddock and the Safeway Barn, a new fixture to the Alameda County Fairgrounds that will remain present throughout the year even after the fair departs.
Guests are encouraged to visit to learn about where food comes from and animal husbandry while they have a chance to feed calves or watch chicks hatch. Nearby is the petting zoo, pony rides, birds of prey show, and Alaskan racing pigs.
East Bay locals Jessica Gelico and Gina Giacalone say they have been coming for years and enjoy the new additions as well as fair classics like the food and concerts.
“I’ve been going to the fair forever, and every era of my lifetime, there’s always been something cool to experience,” said Gelico.
“I’m a new mom, so seeing that there’s like, an aspect for everyone, like you can responsibly have a beer, but also like you can enjoy, like a pony ride for your little one,” Giacalone said. “It’s pretty cool.”
The fair will also be offering a “sensory activation vehicle” for the first time for guests who may be overstimulated and need a quiet relaxing space away from noise and sensory stimuli. Fair volunteers will be present to assist families and individuals, lending bags with noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, and other items for those needing a break.
Drone shows will happen every night after 9:30 p.m. Children under 5 and military servicemembers may enter free. Other ticket offerings and discount days are available throughout the summer.
More information about attractions, shows, and daily fair schedules are available on the fair’s website.
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