The Alameda County Fair is just around the corner. The Fair will run from Saturday, June 21 to Sunday, July 6 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds on Pleasanton Avenue.

An all-star line-up of entertainers will appear each day at the Fairgrounds Amphitheater. The shows are free with the price of admission to the fair.

The performers and their appearance dates are as follows: Rain, a popular Beetles cover band, June 21; Papa Do Run Run, a California band doing beach and surfin' music, June 22; country singer Gary Morris, June 23; Atlanta, nine-piece country band, June 24-25; country singer/musician, Louise Mandrell, June 26-27; Doug Kershaw, the "Ragin' Cajun" fiddler and his band, June 28-29; Lou Rawls, mellow rhythm and blues singer, June 30-July 1; country singers, Jim Stafford & Bobbe Llynne, July 2-3; "America's sweetheart," Brenda Lee, July 4-5; and Led Zeppelin cover band, The White, July 6.

This year's 74th annual fair will also feature new midway carnival entertainment. There will be nine new rides and opportunities to enjoy carnival attractions at reduced rates. Overall, there will be 40 rides, 70 game concessions and seven food concessions.

Rose enthusiasts will have an opportunity to display their best blooms at the fair. The Amateur Rose Show is set for Friday, June 20. Entries are limited to one per exhibitor per variety and they must be received between 8:00 and 10:00 am on June 20. There is no pre-entry requirement or entry fee and the only stipulation is that all roses must have been grown in an outdoor, private garden.

Looking for an audience for your talents? Amateur talent will be showcased at the Court of the Four Seasons during the fair. Amateur entertainers are invited to audition by contacting Sally Larson at 847-7591.

Dozens of special contests and displays are slated for the fair. Here is a sampling of the contests all to be held in the Young California Building: Amateur Cake Decorating, June 22, 5:00 pm; Gingerbread House Contest, June 25, 3:30 pm; Chocolate Cookies Contest, June 27, 4:00 pm; Kid's Creative Picture Contest, June 30, 1:30 pm; International Desserts, July 3, 4:30 pm; and Homemade Ice Cream, July 6, 2:30 pm.

The Gala Fair Preview Party will be held on Friday evening, June 20, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. The music of Dick du Plessis and his orchestra will be featured along with champagne and hors d'ouevres for the party-goers. Advance tickets are $8, tickets at the door will be $10. Proceeds from the party will benefit the Mulberry Branch of Children's Hospital Medical Center in Oakland.

Further information on these or any other fair-related items may be obtained by calling the Fair office at 846-2881.

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: June 9, 1986 Pathways.