August 24-27

Ramona CA— The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will present the 47th annual Ramona Country Fair, Thursday, Aug. 24 to Sunday, Aug. 27, at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Lane, Ramona. Admission is free. Parking is $5 per carload. Fair hours are: 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24; 5 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27.
Billed as a real old-fashioned country fair, the event will feature a midway of carnival rides, games and prizes, “only-at-the-fair” food choices, a stage for live music and entertainment, crafts, shopping and contests for crafters and cooks vying for blue ribbons. The fair also will feature a variety of vendors, including local businesses and home crafters.
New this year: a gardening clinic starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday with horticulturalist Richard Wright from Edible Eden; the Ramona Gong Show at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, an amateur talent contest reminiscent of the crazy 1970s television show where three judges will review acts; a gymkhana show starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday featuring the equestrian sport of horses with riders in various speed-pattern racing and timed events, including barrel racing, pole bending and a flag race and stake race.
Additional highlights this year will include: a motorcycle rally and custom bike show on Sunday morning; a VIP Tent with admission priced at $25 per person and featuring food and cash bar, including an assortment of craft and domestic beers; square dancing instruction starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday; a Wild West show with real cowboys from the Hole in the Wall Gang at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
A variety of crowd-pleasing, hometown contests are planned, including awards for the best homemade jams, jellies, honey, salsa, bread, muffins, jerky, pickles, relishes and homegrown vegetables. Winners also will be selected for art and photography.
“The Ramona Country Fair is an old-fashioned country fair that shows how Ramona has that home-sweet-home feeling and the best that small towns still have to offer,” said Heidi Sam, Ramona Chamber board member and chairman of the 2017 Ramona Country Fair. “We are guaranteeing family fun for the whole family. It’s the best four days of summer.”
Among the scheduled musical activities: opening ceremonies and DJ music on Thursday night; live music with Jon Hasz, Ramona Music Center, on Friday night; the Ramona Bluegrass Festival on Sunday afternoon.
Fair sponsors include Barona Resort & Casino, Poway Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Kamps Propane, Ramona Disposal Services, SoCal Satellite, Chase Bank, American Vision Windows, One Stop Equipment Rental and Country Wine and Spirits of Ramona. The latest Dodge Ram trucks will be on display from Poway Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
Proceeds from the fair will benefit the Ramona community, including Chamber scholarships to Ramona students and support to other local events that promotes Ramona as a destination. For more information, call (760) 789-1311, or visit www.RamonaChamber.com and www.facebook.com/RamonaCountryFair.

Program Schedule

Thursday, August 24

— 5 p.m., opening ceremony, rides, disc jockey music

Friday, Aug. 25

— 5 p.m., fair rides open
— 5 p.m., Art and Photography contest winners announced
— 5 p.m., Wild West Show, practice
— 6:30 — 10 p.m., Ramona Music Center Fest with Jon Hasz

Saturday, August 26

— 8:30 a.m. entries due for “Home Sweet Home” cooking contest (jams, jellies, honey, salsa, jerky, pickles)
— 9 a.m., Judging begins for “Home Sweet Home” contest, followed by awards presentation
— 11 a.m., fair rides open
— 11 a.m., Gardening Clinic with Richard Wright, Edible Eden
— 1 p.m.., Wild West Show, dress rehearsal
— 3 p.m., Ramona Martial Arts Demonstration
— 4 p.m., Square Dancing Instruction
— 6 p.m., Wild West Show featuring “Hole in the Wall Gang”
— 7:30 p.m., The Ramona Gong Show

Sunday, August 27

— 9 a.m., Custom Motorcycle Rally
— 10 a.m., Gymkhana Show
— 11 a.m., fair rides open
— 11:45 a.m., Awards for motorcycle competition announced
— 1 to 6 p.m., Bluegrass Music Festival with groups “Sunnyside Strings” (1-2 p.m.), “Vulcan Mountain Boys” (2-3 p.m.), “Gone Tomorrow” (3-4 p.m.), “Shirthouse Band” (4-5 p.m.) and “High Mountain Road” (5-6 p.m.).