After 11 years in Vegas, we finally attended the Clark County Fair. All things considered, it was a great time; plant to spend the day there. The facts first: We purchased tickets online; $18 for entry only, $45 for entry and all-day ride pass (wristband), cost is a little more at the gate. Parking is free.
This is important and they don't tell you this: To get your wristband, you must take the printed copy of your online ticket to the ticket booth after you get scanned at the gate. Plan to get there early! The gates opened at 10am on Saturday. We got there at 10:30 and the car line getting into the parking lot was about a mile long, but it moved quickly - we were in the lot in about 10-12 minutes. When we left at 3pm, the car line went the entire 5 miles all the way to I15 and then more than 1/2 mile past the off-ramp!!! GET THERE EARLY!!!
Now to the fun stuff! There are plenty of attractions to keep you entertained and fed. Big big variety of carnival rides for all ages and a big "carney alley" of prize games, lots and lots of games and prizes. The games aren't included with the wristband but instead are paid for with "tokens" that you purchase when you get your wristband at the ticket booth. Again...get there early to avoid long lines at the ticket booths!! (Who wants to spend the day waiting in line?). We rode all the larger rides with little or no waiting. Attendants were polite and helpful. Everything was well laid out with plenty of room for crowds to get around. Prepare to walk a lot. Some people brought chairs and blankets, but coolers are not allowed.
The food trucks and vendors were in two general areas, some near the rides and games, and more near the vendor booths and animal related attractions. I had a decent burger, but later regretted not seeing the other food vendors first. Lots of choices and prices weren't too bad. All the great fair food you would expect; Italian sausages, turkey legs, French fries, Philly cheesteaks, funnel cakes, Carmel apples, cotton candy, etc.. Beer stands were few but enough. Lots of great tasty choices and all freshly made to order.
Many many animal attractions, from a team of traveling California Seals! (YES I SAID SEALS!), to the highly entertaining racing piggies, a great toy poodle act, and all the domesticated farm animals from the 4H folks - and some fantastic looking animals! We saw the most beautiful roosters! And then there is The Rodeo. Fast-paced but also a good time to put your feet up for a few minutes and enjoy the cowboys and cowgirls while you relax with a beer. Don't forget the sunscreen. There was also an auction going on while we were there. I imagine some of the award winners getting sold off. We ventured through a few of the vendor booths and admired all the hand-crafted wares. Most were not our taste but entertaining nonetheless and amazing to see some of the talent that people have.
We will be going back next year for sure, albeit a bit better prepared. Plan to spend $100 per person (minimum) for tickets, rides, games, and food.
A really great time for family fun of all ages, just get there early or plan on waiting in 2 lines: 1st to get into the fair-grounds, 2nd to get your wristband or tickets and the Ticket Booth. That part sucks. The rest is a blast. read more