It’s here! Sonoma County’s Cruise on In 2012 Fair. I love this time of year in Santa Rosa! Not only do you get enjoy several days of scrumptious fair food, you also have options of horse racing, music, exhibits and more! I have attended this event every year I have lived in Santa Rosa. It is without a doubt the best fair for many reasons; some of the top reason were recently noted in www.7X7.com.

Where to begin! How about my favorite…the horse races!!

 Wish I could say I took this picture, compliments of the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

Horse racing in the wine country! Can’t beat that! The races began July 25^th, Wednesday through Sunday with post time at 1:15pm. There are a few options to choose from to experience the races; grandstand seats, boxes or you can stand down the track to get an up close view of the horses dashing by.

Let’s not forget the reason why everyone goes to the fair…the food!

Photo by biteclubeats

We have it all in the Place of Plenty! Not just the old time favorites of corn dogs, cotton candy and caramel apples. We have serious cuisine that ranges from BBQ and crepes to Mexican to pasta. Let’s not forget local Santa Rosa Celebrity Gut Fieri Johnny Garlic’s will be serving up their tasty bites.

Photos by biteclubeats

If you have not been, then you must be sure to get your free ice cream from Clover Stornetta too…

The flower show is amazing, each year they find a way to out shine the previous year. I am very excited to see this year’s show featuring destinations around the world; Eleven beautiful cities including Sorrento, St. Thomas, Barcelona and Rio de Janero will be recreated in magnificent floral displays.

Check out some of these beautiful displays from year’s past…

Take the flower show home! Towards the end of the fair on August 13^th you can buy the arrangement. Doors open at 7 am, so get there early if you see something you like.

Music, music, music and lots of it! Last year I saw Miranda Lambert and this year I hope to see Martina McBride. One of the Bay Area’s own Third Eye Blind will be performing this year as well. Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts are in town too! What a line up! If you can’t make the concerts you still get to enjoy some amazing music at the Park Stage where musicians are schedule EVERY day of the Fair!

No fair is complete without livestock and there is a lot to see. If you have children then the petting zoo is a must. Feeling like strolling along the livestock area in a horse-pulled wagon? The Fair offers up daily FREE rides! From livestock auctions to exhibits the Sonoma County Fair in my town of Santa Rosa is a blast.

Is one day enough? I recommend coming overnight. You can enjoy the fair by day with the food, music, horse racing and enjoy some amazing entertainment at night. Looking for a place to stay, check out http://www.visitsantarosa.com/accommodations/.

Be sure to watch for more of Santa Rosa’s events at our Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/VisitSantaRosa?ref=hl#!/VisitSantaRosa/events.