DIXON MAY FAIR SET TO RETURN
For more than 140 years, the Dixon May Fair was an annual extravaganza that brought the community to the Dixon Fairgrounds for a carnival, entertainment, food, exhibits and fun in general, only getting canceled for a year during World War II.
That changed in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, where state and federal prohibitions on mass gatherings led to the cancelation of fairs throughout the world, the May Fair included.
However, fair organizers found ways to adapt, hosting virtual exhibits and livestock auctions in 2020 and opening up the Fairgrounds for a Grab and Go Taste of the May Fair in 2021, where people were able to purchase carnival treats and bring them home.
Next week, the Dixon May Fair as people have remembered it for the past 145 years will return full force. The carnival, live music, inperson exhibitions — they all will come back May 5 to 8.
“We're very excited to have it back,” Fair CEO Pat Conklin said. “We've missed it.”
The past two years have been difficult for Conklin and other fair staff because of financial difficulties during the pandemic, which has resulted in a smaller staff than usual.
“Not being open for two years took its toll,” she said. “Like every other business, we just needed to survive, so we had to let people go. Trying to get people back, even temporary, has been very difficult.”
Conklin encourages fairgoers to be patient and also buy tickets online, as the ticket booth lines might be a little slower than usual this year.
However, she said the fair has gotten a lot of support from volunteers and local organizations such as the Dixon Rotary Club and others in the fair industry.
“Our enthusiasm is big,” she said. “The people that work here have a real love for the fair, and they're dedicated to putting it on, even if it's only, like, three people in maintenance to handle the 37 acres.”
While the main theme this year is “Super Fun,”
Conklin said the secondary theme is “We Get By with a Little Help from Our Friends,” to paraphrase a famous Beatles song.
One new feature this year is the Jack Spareribs pirate show in the Kids Area. Dressed like Jack Sparrow of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise,
Spareribs is a fixture at events such as the California Exposition & State Fair and Northern California Pirate Festival in Vallejo and does everything from swashbuckling to ventriloquism to magic acts. Spareribs will have shows at 3 and 6:30 p.m. May 5 and 2, 4 and 6 p.m. May 6 to 8.
Kids Town America will also be open with various activities for the little ones. The Western Express Railroad Trackless Train will be rolling around the Fairgrounds daily, and attendees will also see juggler Jeremiah Johnston, Flo the Clown and violinist Patrick Contreras roaming the
"The people that work here have a real love for the fair, and they're dedicated to putting it on, even if it's only, like, 3 people in maintenance to handle the 37 acres." — Dixon May Fair CEO Pat Conklin
grounds.
Sudsy's Barn, with an interactive handwashing station, will be open daily, and Greg Frisbee will be doing his rubber chicken show on Today's Youth Stage every day.
The Leber Garden Stage will have a variety of bands performing.
On May 5, Santana tribute band Sacred Fire will perform. Country band Robby James & the Streets of Bakersfield and Foreigner Unauthorized, a tribute to the popular '70s and '80s band Foreigner, will take the stage May 6. Sacramento's Latin Touch Band and cover band Vinyl Ride will perform May 7. Finally, country band Crossman Connection and cover band the Rhythm Method Trio will perform May 8.
Keep on Trucking', a '60s tribute band, will perform May on the Picnic Stage. The following day will be a celebration of Latin music, with performances by Mariachi Oro de Mexico in the main gate courtyard and Marisol y Su Revancha, Grupo Doble Estilo, Rocio y Su Sonora, Los Bondadosos, La Raza Obrera and Banda La Octava Maravilla. Check the May Fair website for performance times.
Other entertainment features include the Classic Car Show May 7, West Coast Rodeo Company CCPRA Bull and Bronc Riding Event on May 6, Maxx Kakl Powersports Tractor Pull Competition on May 7 and the Demolition Derby May 8. The latter three events will take place at the Dawson's Bar & Grill Bandstand.
Beyond that, all of the features one should expect from the May Fair will be present: the carnival; food vendors; exhibits at Madden Hall; livestock exhibition and auction; downtown parade and so on.
As always, Conklin hopes people will take away a sense of community.
“You come to the fair, and everybody seems to slow down, take a breath and enjoy their family,” she said. “They enjoy just being together, they enjoy maybe just eating a corn dog with their grandkids, getting the sights and sounds of the fair.”
Conklin said the tradition is “more than just a show or a ride, it's a whole experience.”
The May Fair opens at 4 p.m. May 5, noon May 6, 11 a.m. May 7 and noon May 8 at 655 South First St. Tickets are $15 for ages 13 and older, $10 for children ages 5 to 12 and free for children 4 and younger. Seniors over 65 and military members with active duty cards will receive a $10 discount.
Special days include Thrifty Thursday, where everyone 5 and older is admitted for $5, and Kids Day Friday, where children 12 and under are admitted for free all day.
For more information, go to Dixonmayfair.com.