A family of six enjoyed opening day at the San Joaquin Fair.

They departed from the fairgrounds Wednesday afternoon satisfied with this year’s free entry to the five-day event.

“Five dollars is what we paid to get in,” uttered the dad.

That’s the cost for parking.

Thanks to a partnership with Citadel Broadcasting, the SJC Fair was able to provide free admission for the first time ever.

“With the current shape of the economy, we’re hoping this will bring in more people, especially families,” said SJC Fair interim CEO Janet Covello.

She indicated that the free admission might be only a one-time basis.

Fair officials have already taken precautions, coordinating efforts with the Stockton Police Department to provide a safe atmosphere way in advance.

“Police also have increased security for later in the day and for the evenings,” Covello said.

As for increased numbers, Cesar Sandoval noticed somewhat of a difference.

He’s the owner and operator of Water Wars, which is a perfect cool-down attraction given that temperatures heated up into the 90s. Folks often get soaking wet from the splash of water balloons from a short distance away propelled from a sling-shot apparatus.

“It’s still the first day of the fair,” said the Madera resident. “Things usually pick up after that.”

His Water Wars attraction has been a fixture at the SJC Fair for the past four years. Sandoval, who also rents out for special occasions – log on to www.ccwaterwars.com for more information – will go from here to the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton.

Nearby, youngsters, including many from the Y Day Camp, made plenty noise at F&F Production’s Hot Dog Pig Races (See: www.skunkrace.com ).

Dachshunds are the hot dogs competing in the races.

The pigs are no more than 11 weeks old, weighing 10 to 14 pounds. They’ll weigh in at about 200 pounds in another six months, and 400 pounds in another year. Some will even top off at 1,000 pounds.

The Hot Dog Pig Races are held five times daily, from 1, 3, 5:30, 7 and 9 p.m.

In addition, fairgoers can expect the usual attractions – fair foods (try corn dogs or fried Twinkies), carnival games, and midway rides.

Other daily attractions include Circus Imagination (1:30, 4:30, 7 p.m.); Jeremy the Juggler (2:30, 4, 6:30, 8:30 p.m.); Skip Bank the Balloon Man (4, 7:30, 9:30 p.m.); Mitchell Marionettes (2, 5, 7:30 p.m.); and Hypnotist Tina Marie (8, 10 p.m.).

The fairgrounds are located at 1658 N. Airport Way, Stockton.

For more information, call 209-466-5041 or log on to www.sanjoaquinfair.com.