Dixon Fair promises to be at its best

Article Launched: 04/26/2005 07:34:43 AM

Fair promises to be at its best

By Reporter Staff

When the 130th annual Dixon May Fair opens May 5 for a four-day run to the theme, "What a Ride," it promises to be the biggest and best in its history, fair officials said.

The legendary Willie Nelson on Thursday night, the southern rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd on Friday night, and the return of the demolition derby on Saturday and Sunday nights will highlight the fair, the oldest in California.

"The little ol' town of Dixon will rock," said fair manager Mike Green.

The Willie Nelson concert, with guest star Jackie Greene, opens at 7:30 p.m. May 5, while the Lynyrd Skynyrd concert, with guest star Nothin'Personal, opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The Demolition Derby is back after a 10-year absence. Derby action begins at 7 each night with a full venue, three heats and a main event, with a combined purse of $6,000.

Country and rock music will showcase on many of the stages during the four-day fair. The country groups include the Michael Thomason Band of San Francisco, Fred McCarty and Company and Becca from Santa Clara, Tim Murphy of San Jose, River Run of Sonoma, and Pardi, a country group from Dixon. Other area groups performing include Push Play, based in Solano County and Four Barrel, headquartered in the county, plus Last Mile, Stevenson Bridge and Four on the Floor, all home-grown talent from Dixon.

"We have an absolutely amazing Mexican line-up (including Banda Limon) for the Dia de las Madres celebration on Sunday," Green said. "And the Ballet Folklorico, a local children's dance group, is back."

Fairgoers can be hypnotized by the Hypnosis Company, laugh at the antics of the Swan Brothers Circus, marvel at the rodeo performers known as the Painted Ladies, and get lost in the Mitchell Showboat Marionettes' production of "Bluebeard's Folly, a Pirate's Tale."

They can call hogs at the hogcalling contest at 3:30 p.m. May 5, milk a cow in the cowmilking contest at 6 p.m. May 6, and watch daily oldtime crafts such as blacksmithing, tinsmithing, paper making, and spinning and weaving. Other events include a diaper derby, cooking contests, livestock shows, a wine tasting and sipping pavilion.

One of the new attractions is the rodeo performing group from Sacramento known as the Painted Ladies. They ride paint horses and do reining, trick riding and high-speed maneuvers. They will perform daily shows, including two on May 7.

The Painted Ladies also will ride in the Dixon May Fair Parade, which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7. They appeared in the 2005 Tournament of Roses Parade.

Fairgoers can purchase prime market beef, lamb, goat, pork, chicken and quail at the Junior Livestock Auction, set for 12:30 p.m., May 7 in the Livestock Showcase. Butler Amusements is offering two Pay-One Price Days or Wristband Days.

They are May 5 from 4 to 10 p.m. and May 6 from noon until 6 p.m. The purchase of a $20 bracelet allows one to to ride unlimited rides on Pay-One-Price Day for the specific six hours. Fairgoers may purchase the wristbands in the carnival area during the fair.

The fair is located at 655 S. First St. Hours are: Thursday, May 5: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, May 6: 12 noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 7: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 8: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Gates open two hours earlier on Thursday and Sunday than they did last year, Green noted.
The general admission price, for ages 13 to 64, during the fair is $10. Other admission prices during the fair are: senior citizens (ages 65 and up), $8, and youths (ages 5 to 12), $6. Toddlers (ages 4 and under) are admitted free. Active duty and reserve U.S. military personnel are admitted free with proper identification. On Kids' Day, Friday, May 6, children 12 and under are admitted free.

Further information is available by telephoning the fair office at (707) 678-5529 or accessing the

Web site at www.dixonmayfair.com.