Bored in Berkeley? Fair Well!
Bad puns aside, I’m excited because the Alameda County Fair starts today in Pleasanton! Berkeley has been kind of boring lately - the most exciting nighttime activity seems to be getting drunk and trying to understand what the infamous Summer Irish are actually trying to say.
Growing up in Orange County, I’ve been exposed for years to attempts to replicate a county fair in a suburban setting. In the past, this has led to overpriced rides and my sole opportunity to buy fried Twinkies at $5 each - a meaningful and essential part of any wholesome white middle class childhood. But the Alameda County Fair also includes a fairly decent concert lineup (the Smashmouth booking aside) and horse racing, easily one of my favorite vices.
Anyway, is anyone up for organizing a BART trip to the AC Fair one of these days? Don’t fool yourself - if you are in Berkeley, you aren’t doing anything better.
If you need to kill time you could revise the links to other blogs on the CalStuff homepage. I can think of a blog or two that are more relevant.
Comment by Chris Page — June 23, 2006 @ 12:58 am
Ben, I prefer the Del Mar fair to the Orange County crud fair, except for when they had that guy that smashes watermelons at the OC Fair - that was quite the act. Del Mar is one of the top 10 fairs in the country, and they have a hell of a race track down there (as you are keenly aware) - where the surf meets the turf. I’ll definitely make it down for the Del Mar Stakes this year.
Pleasanton as a whole reminds me of the great master planned communities of Orange County. Which for those of us from the OC is a welcome respite from the rest of the Bay Area.
Comment by Ian — June 23, 2006 @ 10:18 am
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Bowling for Soup, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Fairs sure can bring in some fine music talent. Did Michael Bolton cancel?
Comment by Fauntleroy Plimperton III — June 23, 2006 @ 12:19 pm
What do you mean, not John Waste? Didn’t you see Smashmouth is playing?
Comment by Ben N. — June 23, 2006 @ 12:20 pm
Please address me as Fauntleroy Plimperton III, Ben.
Comment by Fauntleroy Plimperton III — June 23, 2006 @ 12:38 pm
Actually John, Michael Bolton is going to be at the OC Fair http://www.ocfair.com/pacificamphitheatre/index.asp
Comment by Ian — June 23, 2006 @ 2:57 pm
I believe you mean “Actually, Fauntleroy Plimperton III.”
Comment by Fauntleroy Plimperton III — June 23, 2006 @ 5:16 pm
Hmm, it seems I have the 28th free. It’d be nice to get, what shall I call us, the Disqualification Team Coverage Four (Andy/Ben, Beetle, anybody but John Waste, me) together, though invariably there will be someone who has a thing (job, doctor’s appointment, will be getting abducted by aliens). I’m a fan of horse racing, I haven’t been since a San Mateo County Fair several years ago. I’m in Alameda, so we’ll also have that game of intercepting the BART train if we go together. E-mail me if you’re serious about this.
Comment by J Koo — June 24, 2006 @ 3:02 am
There used to be Berkeley blogger parties. I never went to them, though.
Comment by Beetle — June 24, 2006 @ 3:15 am
There’s a blogger party in Narodick’s shorts, and everyone’s invited.
Comment by Fauntleroy Plimperton III — June 24, 2006 @ 10:44 am
The only reason I’d say I would go would be the horses, but going alone would just be sad. It’s the thrill of the collective victory or loss that makes it so enjoyable.
Comment by J Koo — June 24, 2006 @ 8:24 pm