The Northern San Joaquin Valley’s first festival of the year — Ripon’s celebration of the billions of pink and white almond blossoms gracing the countryside — starts with a family friendly carnival on Thursday, Feb. 25.
It’s $30 to get unlimited access to all rides for a day at the Misltin Sports Park where the actual festival will take place Feb. 26-28. But if you purchase a one-day ride voucher in advance for $20 through the Ripon Chamber of Commerce not only can you save a third of the price but you can also help fund the chamber’s various community activities throughout the year. The chamber receives a portion of the advance ticket sales.
New this year is the ability to use advance vouchers for free rides all day for one-day on either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. The day you want to use it for is up to you. You simply show up the day you want, take the voucher to a ticket booth and receive an all-day wrist band for rides.
Advance discount vouchers are available through Thursday, Feb, 25, at 4 p.m. or until supplies run out.
They are available at the Ripon Chamber of Commerce, 929 W. Main St., Ripon, (599.7519) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or at the Ripon Police Department on Wilma Avenue after 5 p.m. week days.
A wrist band isn’t needed on Thursday, Feb. 25, as that is California Carnivals’ $1 per ride all day event.
The carnival is open Thursday, Feb, 25, from 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 26, from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 27, from noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 25, from noon to 5 p.m.
The queen crowning takes place on Thursday, Feb. 25, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Ripon Community Center.
The actual festival at Mistlin Sports Park is Friday, Feb, 26, from 3 to 6 p.m., as well as both Saturday, Feb. 27, and Sunday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.