Fairtime Contests & Special Events
2023 Sonoma County Fair
Fairtime Contests & Special Events
This is your chance to take center stage at the Sonoma County Fair! This is your chance to take center stage. Blow a giant bubblegum bubble, build a LEGO creation, demonstrate your loudest scream, whistle a tune, make a milk mustache, or show the world how much you and your mother look alike. There are contests to go with this year's Fair theme, including the Dinosaur Trivia Quiz, Dinosaur Egg Hunt, Rock‘em Sock‘em Dinos, and this year’s soon-to-be favorite, the Human Scream/Dinosaur Roar Contest! There’s a contest for any fairgoer old enough to stand on stage. All contestants get a ribbon, and the winners get fun Fair stuff. Contests are free with Fair admission. Check the contest description for age requirements and details on each contest. The times listed below may change. So…stop by any Information Booth and get a copy of the day’s schedule when you get to the Fair.
#Selfietime at Jurassic Jubilee
Who Can Enter? All ages are Welcome
When? Each day of fair (judging will be done at 6pm)
Snap a photo of yourself at the Sonoma County Fair, follow the fairs Instagram pages (@sonoco_fair) and tag us in your photo to be entered in to win a prize!
Catch the most instagrammable moments of yourself running from dinosaurs, getting lost in a candy wonderland, screaming your head off on a rollercoaster or making some furry friends at the petting zoo. Post with #2023jurassicjubilee and tag us (@sonoco_fair) in your Instagram post to be entered to win two adult general admission tickets.
Prizes will be given out daily and daily winners will be entered to win the grand prize and bragging rights of “Supreme Selfie Taker.”
Participants must follow @sonoco_fair on Instagram to be selected as a winner.
Bubblegum Bubble Blowing
Who Can Enter? All Ages Welcome
When? August 4 at 1:45 • August 6 at 3:30 p.m.
August 11 at 3:00 p.m. (Jurassic Stage Stage) • August 13 at 7:30 p.m. • August 14 at 2:15 p.m.
Where? Family Fun Stage
The Fair will provide each contestant with one piece of bubblegum. Contestants must use gum supplied by the Fair. All contestants will begin chewing their gum at approximately the same time. Contestants will compete in groups, with each contestant blowing no more than three bubbles. Winners from each group will come back at the end of the contest to blow three more bubbles in the finals. Contestants will use the same piece of gum for the entire competition. The decisions of the announcer are final. Sign up at the stage on the day of the contest, no later than 10 minutes before the contest.
Butter Sculpture
Sponsored by Clover Sonoma
When? August 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Where? Family Fun Stage
The Fair (and Clover-Sonoma!) will provide each contestant with a plastic knife and a one-pound block of butter. Contestants will have no more than 10 minutes to create a work of art. Contestants must use only the tools and supplies provided by the Fair. This is not a team event – each contestant must create their entry independently. There is a limit of 40 contestants for this event. Sign up in Finley Hall beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Diaper Derby (Baby Race!)
Who Can Enter? Babies under 12 months of age as of 8/6/2023
When? August 6 at 4 p.m.
Where? Kids Area
This is a contest for the very youngest fairgoers. The object is to cross the finish line by crawling faster than the other contestants. Those on the sidelines may cheer them on, but no interference with the babies will be allowed. Parents or their designated surrogates may use a bottle or toy to coax the child to crawl to them but may not step between the starting line and the finish line during the Derby. Contestants who stand up or walk during the Derby will be disqualified in the nicest possible way. All contestants will receive a ribbon & a hat. The big winner will receive a large rosette and a special set of toys from the people at Green Toys. To sign up, register at the Kids Area 15 minutes before the contest.
Dinosaur Egg Hunt
Who Can Enter? Kids, ages 10 & under
When? August 10 at 1:30 p.m.
Where? Jurassic Stage
This is just like an Easter Egg Hunt, but we’re going to be hunting dinosaur eggs. No baskets are needed. There is no lower limit for this contest but remember that no one older than 10 years old will be allowed out on the egg-hunting field. (That means no parents along to help out.) Sign up at the Kids Area on the day of the contest, no later than 10 minutes before the start.
Dinosaur Fossil Contest
Who Can Enter? All Ages Welcome
When? August 9 at 3:15 p.m. • August 10 at 1:45 p.m. • August 12 at 3:15 p.m.
Where? Jurassic Stage
This is a team event. Teams may include contestants of all ages. If you don’t have a team, we will find one for you. Each team will be given a collection of dinosaur “bones” (not really!), and they must assemble them to form a dinosaur skeleton. For bonus points, identify the dinosaur! Sign up at the Jurassic Stage no later than 10 minutes before the contest.
Dinosaur Quiz-O-Rama
A Pub-Style Family Team Event
Who Can Enter? All Ages Welcome
When? August 8 – 6 p.m.
Where? Sierra Nevada Taproom
All questions in the Quiz-O-Rama will be about dinosaurs, so start studying! Teams should expect some easy questions (Name Me - I had large bony plates that stood up along my spine) and some hard ones as well. Dinosaur prizes for winning teams, but all participants will receive participant ribbons and a small dinosaur. Young children will probably do well on this, so be sure to include these young experts on your team if possible! (This is a family-friendly venue at the Fair, so all ages are welcome inside.) Teams with young children should also have one or more adults. Everyone is welcome. Space is limited, so contest participation will be limited to first come, first serve. You can reserve a table by entering ahead of time. Send an email with your name, the name of your team, and the number of people on your team to specialeevents@SonomaCountyFair.com. Please put ‘Dino Trivia” in the subject line. The Quiz will be like a spelling bee – contestants (kids and adults) must continue to answer questions correctly to stay in the competition. Be at the Sierra Nevada Taproom no later than 6 p.m. on August 8.
Dinosaur Sounds!
Who Can Enter? All Ages Welcome
When? August 9 at 3:15 p.m.
Where? Jurassic Stage
We can only imagine the sounds that dinosaurs might have made, but in all the movies, dinosaurs roar. They make loud scary noises. In this contest, fairgoers of all ages will give their best dinosaur sound for prizes, with special prizes for those with the best explanation for why their dinosaur makes that sound. This contest will be judged by the audience. The decisions of the announcer are final. Sign up at Jurassic Stage no later than 10 minutes before the contest.
Dinosaur Trivia Quiz
Who Can Enter? All Ages Welcome
When? August 8 – 6 p.m.
Where?
Contestants will be asked to answer questions about dinosaurs. Some will be easy, but it will get harder the longer you stay in the game! The Quiz will be like a spelling bee - contestants must continue to answer questions correctly to stay in the competition. Sign up at the stage at least 10 minutes before the contest.
Elvis Contests
Elvis Day is Friday, August 11!
This year’s Elvis Day celebration will be a day of non-stop entertainment & fun, including opportunities for fairgoers to take part in on-the-spot competitions. Events include Elvis Bingo (E-L-V-I-S), an Elvis Scream Contest, and the ever-popular Elvis Trivia Quiz. The highlight of the day is the Elvis Impersonation Contest, featuring ten talented singers competing for a $1,000 first prize. All Elvis Day events are free with Fair admission.
Elvis Impersonation
Who Can Enter? Any fairgoer, Pre-Fair Sign-up
Prizes: 1st 7th 3rd 4th—10th
$1,500 $500 $250 $100
When? Friday, August 11 – 8:00 p.m.
Where? Community Theater
If you have ever sung a song and had friends, family and even strangers say “You sound just like Elvis!”, this is the contest for you. This is a musical impersonation contest. All contestants should be prepared to perform two songs originally performed by Elvis Presley. This contest is for solo vocal performers only. Contestants will be accompanied by a live band, provided by the Fair. The Elvis Impersonation Contest will be held at the Community Theater at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 30. Although the musical presentation is critical, contestants should remember that the full picture is important, including stage presence, costume, and audience reaction. Applications are available on-line at www.sonomacountyfair.com and at the fairgrounds. Entries will be screened and a final roster of 10 contestants will be chosen by July 15. Your application must be at the fairgrounds no later than July 9. The entry deadline may be extended if 10 acceptable contestants have not yet been accepted.
Elvis & Priscilla Look-Alike Contest
Who Can Enter? Open to all fairgoers
When? Saturday, July 30 – 2:15 p.m.
Where? Park Stage
Contestants may enter in either the Elvis Look-Alike or the Priscilla Look-Alike contest. The contest will be judged by the audience, who will be looking for contestants who look like the real thing. Costumes are not absolutely necessary, but they couldn't hurt! Sign up on the day of the contest, at the stage at least 10 minutes before the contest.
Elvis Quiz-O-Rama
Who Can Enter? Open to all fairgoers
When? July 30 – 5:45 p.m. • Aug. 6 – 3:30 p.m.
Where? BackDoor Stage
Contestants will be asked to answer questions relating to Elvis’ life and career. The Quiz will be like a spelling bee - contestants must continue to answer questions correctly to stay in the competition. Sign up at the stage at least 10 minutes before the contest.
Elvis SCREAM!
Who Can Enter? Open to all fairgoers
When? July 30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where? Community Theater
All the old television footage shows Elvis fans showing their devotion by screaming out to the King. In this contest, fairgoers of all ages will scream “Elvis” for prizes, with special prizes awarded to the loudest, most piercing screams. This contest will be judged by the audience. The decisions of the announcer are final. Sign up at the stage at least 10 minutes before the contest.
Hula Hoop Contest
Who Can Enter? All Ages Welcome
When? August 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Where? The Beach
Contestants must use Fair-supplied hula hoops to compete in one (or both) categories. In the Hula Hoop Marathon, the contest is to see who can keep their hoop spinning around their torso the longest without dropping the hoop. In the novelty category, contestants can perform with as many hula hoops as they choose -- the more the better!
Family Look-Alike Contest
Who Can Enter? All Ages Welcome
When? August 7 at 3:30 p.m. • August 13 at 3:30 pm.
Where? Family Fun Stage
Our judges (the audience) will be looking for contestants who look the most alike. Contestants may enter in one or more of the following categories: father/son, mother/daughter, cousins, brother/brother, sister/sister, or sister/brother. Contestants are encouraged to dress alike if they think it will help their chances. Sign up at the stage no later than 10 minutes before the contest.
Grape Spitting Contest
Who Can Enter? All Ages Welcome
When? August 12 at 1:45 p.m. • August 13 at 3:15 p.m.
Where? Jurassic Stage
The object is to spit the grape in a more-or-less straight line for the longest distance. The contest is open to spitters of all ages. Prizes will be awarded for the greatest distance a grape travels. Each contestant will choose a grape from the bowl of grapes on stage, step up to the line (on stage) and spit. The distance from the spitter to the first time the grape lands is the official distance. After contestants have spit their grapes, awards will be given out to winners in each age category. Sign up at Jurassic Stage no later than 10 minutes before the contest.
Grape Stomp
Who Can Enter? All Ages Welcome
When? August 12 & 13 at 1:00, 2:45, and 6:30 p.m.
Kids (13 & Under) ONLY on August 13 at 2:45
Where? Jurassic Stage
Each team consists of one stomper and one swabbie. The stomper stands in the barrel and flattens the grapes. The swabby stands below the barrel and catches the juice. Stompers must stomp grapes in an upright position (you can’t sit down!), feet must be bare and no hands can be placed on barrels. Stompers must have bare feet. Swabbies must have bare hands. No tape on the hands of swabbies or feet of stompers.
There are no age limits (upper or lower) for grape stompers, so kids are welcome. But keep in mind that you can’t take your mom, or anyone else, into the stomping area with you. The stomp crew will be happy to assist the youngest grape stompers, so if they need help getting into the barrel, we will take care of them.
To enter, you must sign up at least 30 minutes before the official stomp time. Each team of two must pay an entry fee of $40.
Each member of each stomping team will get a commemorative t-rex stomp t-shirt, but you don’t get the shirt until after you stomp. So prepare to get grape juice on your clothes! (We do have some garbage bags to cover your clothes if you are desperate.)
The winning team from each preliminary stomp will be entered in the World Championship Finals. Teams competing in the Finals must include both original team members from the preliminary round. No substitutions will be allowed.
Contestants are encouraged to sign up before the Fair (online at www.SonomaCountyFair.com). Teams that sign up by August 2 will receive two general admission passes to the Sonoma County Fair. If space is available, teams may sign up at the Jurassic Stage no later than 30 minutes before the Stomp.
Human SCREAM! & Dinosaur ROAR!
Who Can Enter? All Ages Welcome
When? August 9 at 7:00 p.m. • August 10 at 3:15 p.m.
Where: The Jurassic Stage
A loud ROAR just seems to go with this year’s dinosaur theme. The SCREAM! Contest has been a crowd favorite for years. Screaming just seems to go with the Fair. People scream on the roller coaster, they scream at the racetrack, and kids are always screaming at their parents. In this contest, we combine roaring and screaming. Fairgoers of all ages can make their choice, and scream or roar for prizes, with special prizes awarded to the loudest, most piercing screams and terrifying roars. This contest will be judged by the audience. The decisions of the announcer are final. Sign up at the stage no later than 10 minutes before the contest.
Jump Rope Contest for Kids
Who Can Enter? Kids Aged 16 and under
When? August 7 at 2:15 p.m.
Where? Kids Area
Contestants must use Fair-supplied jump ropes to compete in two categories. In the speed category, each contestant will try to get the most jumps in a ten-second period. In the Jump Rope Marathon, the contest is to see who can jump the longest without a miss. Sign up at the Kids Area no later than 10 minutes before the contest.
LEGO Contest
Who Can Enter? All Ages Welcome
When? Aug. 10 & Aug. 12 from 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Where? Shade Park (look for the canopies)
We provide LEGOS, you create a masterpiece! Contestants may spend as much time as they want on their entry, but all work must be done during the contest time using only the LEGOS provided by the Fair (LEGOS!). After completion, entries will go on display until the judging begins. Judges’ decisions will be no later than one hour after the conclusion of the contest. If the winners are not present, their prizes will be mailed. This is an individual competition — each person may create one entry. Team entries are not acceptable, and no one may help with another entry. To take part in this contest, check in between 12:30 & 3:30 p.m. at the contest space in Shade Park. Look for the tables under canopies.
Milk Mustache Contest
Who Can Enter? Kids, age 12 & under*
When? August 4 at 2:30 p.m. • August 11 at 2:15 p.m.
Where? Kids Area
Contestants will have a choice of chocolate or white milk. Each contestant will be given a quarter-cup of whole milk. Contestants have two minutes to make a milk mustache. A mirror will be provided for contestants’ use. Contestants who spill undue amounts of milk on the stage may be disqualified. Sign up at the Kids Area no later than 10 minutes before the contest.
*There is no lower age limit for this contest, but all contestants must go up on the stage by themselves (without help from their parents).
Rock’em Sock’em Dinosaurs Tournament
Who Can Enter? All Ages Welcome
When? August 10 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Shade Park (near Park Stage)
Each player will take the part of Red Rocker or Blue Bomber as they play Rock’em Sock’em Robots, the classic game from 1966 in which the battling robots try to knock each other's blocks off. (Actually, it’s a pair of plastic robots manipulated by a hand-held controller.)
The object of the game is to keep your robot in one piece while bringing down your opponent. In this tournament, contestants will have to do just that over and over again. In the early rounds, contestants will be paired with players of similar ages. The winners in the first round of games will play again in the next round. This will continue until we have our winners. If you enter this contest, you can expect to face players of different ages as you advance in the competition. We provide everything you need, so come prepared to play. Sign up 10 minutes before the tournament begins.
Stroller Races
Who Can Enter? Ages 13 & under
When? August 10 at 6:45 p.m. • August 12 at 2:15 p.m.
Where? Kids Area
The Fair will provide strollers for all contestants. Stuffed dinosaurs will be provided to ride in the strollers. Contestants must push the stroller around the course. Racers will compete in small groups on an asphalt course. Sign up in the Kids Area 5 minutes before the contest.
TRASH-O-SAURUS!
Dinosaur Scrap Sculpture Contest
$1500 in Cash Prizes!
Sponsored by Recology:
Who Can Enter? All Ages Welcome
When? August 6 at 3:15 p.m.
Where? The Garden Building
Your assignment is to create a Trash-O-Saurus using all recycled, re-used, or re-purposed materials. Create your Trash-O-Saurus at home and bring it to the Garden Building at the Sonoma County Fair on Sunday, August 6, no later than 3 p.m. We will have divisions for contestants of all ages and creations of all sizes. Entries will be judged, and prizes awarded at 6 p.m. If your entry is too big to pick up and carry, contact the Special Events office (info@specialevents.com) no later than August 1 to arrange to drop off your Trash-O-Saurus.
Look for items you can use for your three-dimensional (not flat!) dinosaur. Remember that you need to use things that are in your garbage or recycling can, or odds-and-ends you find around the house or yard. It is okay to ask our friends and relations if you can use things that they are throwing away, but do not go out and buy things! The idea is to give things a second life in your Trash-O-Saurus! Clean everything off before it becomes a part of your dinosaur; dirty, smelly parts do not make for an award-winning Trash-O-Saurus!
Cash prizes will be awarded in the adult and children’s categories. Team entries are okay, but each person may work on only one entry. That means you can’t be part of a team and enter another Trash-O-Saurus as an individual. We will let one person in free with each entry on August 6, but your entry must be legitimate – and larger than a loaf of bread. To claim your free entry, you must bring your Trash-O-Saurus! to the Main Entrance on Brookwood Avenue between 12 & 3 p.m. on August 6. You may drop bring your Trash-O-Saurus off at the Garden Building between 12:30 and 3 p.m. Judging will begin at 3:15 p.m. in the Garden Building. Results will be announced after judging is complete. Some Trash-o-Saurus entries will remain on display for the rest of the Fair.
JOIN THE DAILY FAIR PARADE
MEET ACROSS FROM THE HONKY-TONK SALOON AT 5 PM
A band, mini floats and kids in costume are just the start! You can be a part of our rhythm band, carry a flag, pull a mini-float, dress up like a grape or just march along. Special guests for the parade: Animal Crackers Stiltwalkers, Bourbon Street Marching Band & you!
