STOCKTON – San Joaquin Ag Fest is right around the corner. And so is the San Joaquin County Fair returning after a two-year hiatus due to low attendance and a shortage of funds.
This junior livestock show and auction at the San Joaquin County fairgrounds, 1658 S. Airport Way, is scheduled June 13 through June 18.
For the local 4H Clubs along with the Future Farmers of America chapters at Ripon Unified and Manteca Unified, this five-day agricultural event is a chance to showcase their beef, swine, sheep, goat, dairy, rabbit, poultry and turkey projects.
The culmination of their best effort is expected to take place on Saturday, June 18, with the livestock auction beginning at 9 a.m. This is an independent event put on by an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting 4-H and FFA.
Ag Fest 2016 is also about horticulture, vocational projects and floral exhibits on display in the fairgrounds.
 The brainchild of the SJ Junior Livestock Committee, Ag Fest was formed two years ago to make up for the absence of the San Joaquin Fair, which, until this year, was on hiatus.
The fair is back and will run concurrently with Ag Fest, beginning Wednesday, June 15, from 5 to 11 p.m. – the fair hours are noon to 11 p.m., from June 16 through June 19.
Gone is the horse racing. But many of the favorites such as the midway rides, live entertainment, food vendors and even the hypnotist are back.
Among the promo days:
uKids Day, Wednesday, June 15 – Youngsters will be admitted for $1 and enjoy the midway rides for $1 each.
uDisability Day, Thursday, June 16 – Early admission for disabled individuals and caretakers is $5 from 10 a.m. to noon.
uActive & Retired Military and First Responder Day, Friday, June 17 – Admission is $3 until 3 p.m.
uAgFest & Agricultural Day , Saturday, June 18
uHispanic Day, Sunday, June 19 – This is also Fathers’ Day, where all dads get 50 percent off admission.
General admission is $10 adults, $5 children age 6-12 (5 and under is free), $7 seniors, military & students with ID.
Unlimited rides wristbands are available for $30.
For more information of the fair, call 209.466.5041 or log on to www.sanjoaquinfair.com.