Fair starts Tuesday with dollar day

  Cotton candy, livestock and carnival rides signal the beginning of the Yuma County Fair on Tuesday, and organizers say it's the perfect way to get away from the everyday grind.

  Kelly Watkins, general manager of Yuma County Fair Inc., said it's a great deal.

  "I think it's the best value in Yuma," he said, because all the shows are free "once you get inside."

  And on Tuesday, admission is only $1. "That's a huge day," Watkins said.

  The Yuma County Fair starts Tuesday and runs through Sunday, April 5. Gates open at 3 p.m. Tuesday and at 8 a.m. the remaining days.

  Watkins said the biggest attendance day in the past was a Saturday, and the second biggest is opening day, Tuesday. Last year's admission count was 166,000.

  Admission Wednesday through Sunday is $5 for adults, $3 for children 7 to 12 and free for 6 and younger. He said the admission cost is the same as last year.

  And opening day means the entire fair is in full swing, he said. "A lot of fairs are still putting things together (on opening day), not us."

  Planning for the fair is a "year-round" process, he said.

 Tuesday's weather is expected to be sunny and in the mid-80s.

  "You just have to take what you get, but right now it's looking pretty good," Watkins said.

  With more than 600 animals, including everything from sheep to chickens, Watkins said the agriculture part of the fair is always a hit.

  This year, free events include a sea lion encounter, a magician, a demolition derby and various bands. Midway ride tickets are $15 for 20, $28 for 40 or 75 cents each.

  For more information on the fair, visit www.yumafair.com.

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Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857.

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See more coverage of the Yuma County Fair and Jr. Livestock large animal results.