The Ventura County Fair's late show starts just after sunset.
The midway glows with colored lights. Fairgoers ride through the night sky, screaming on familiar rides like the Zipper and covering their eyes on new thrills like the aptly named Big Splash.
They toss basketballs at hoops and hurl baseballs at targets in the carnival games. They usually come up short, but every now and then walk away with a giant stuffed pink racoon.
The fairgrounds contracted with a different carnival vendor for the ongoing fair, Helm and Sons Amusements, bringing in new attractions along with favorites like the Wave Swinger where riders fly on an aerial swing set.
In another change, carnival wristbands are available each day at the Ventura fairgrounds, allowing unlimited
rides.
On Aug. 5, people who buy a wristband on site or redeem a presale wristband will be given a free band for a companion.
Gates open most days at noon, and the fair runs until 11 p.m. The late show and the rest of the fair ends on Aug. 12. For more information, go to vcfair.org. For a daily schedule of events, go to https://venturacountyfair.org/fair/entertainment/.
Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com.
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This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: The Ventura County Fair's midway lights up after dark
