The 2025 Stanislaus County Fair begins its 10-day run beginning Friday and officials say there are plenty of ways to reduce the costs to the family budget.
Admission to the Fair is $15 per person and $7 for children aged 7 to 12 and seniors 65 and older. However, those who buy tickets early (as late as 7 p.m. on Thursday) pay $12 and $5 respectively. Advanced tickets may be purchased online but are subject to a 13 percent fee.
Also, admission is just $5 if entering the Fair from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
Free admission is offered Friday, July 11 for service personnel with a military ID.
Seniors who are 65 years of age or older will be admitted free on Saturday, July 12 and a free ride on the Ferris Wheel.
Other special admission is offered:
• Free ‘til 3 pm!: On Sundays, July 13th & July 20th, all guests will be admitted to the fair for FREE from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
• Kids Day: On Tuesday, July 15, kids who are 12 & under will receive free fair admission.
• Christmas in July: On Wednesday, July 16th, guests who bring one or more new toys to donate to the Salvation Army will receive two ride tickets from Butler Amusements. All toys and proceeds will be given to underprivileged children in Stanislaus County to help them have a Merry Christmas. Make sure to drop off your new toy at the community booth next to the arch gate entrance.
• Fair Pre-sale: Get your discounted fair admission tickets, unlimited ride wristbands, FoodMaxx Arena tickets, and season passes. Available at stancofair.com/tickets & the fair box office, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• FoodMaxx & Save Mart Stores: Get our lowest priced tickets at select local FoodMaxx & Save Mart stores! Admission tickets available through July 20 and unlimited ride wristbands available until July 10.
• YupUp FREE Parking: Download the YupUp app, purchase 2 adult admission tickets, & receive a discount code for free fair parking for one day.
• Fair Bites: A bite sized taste of the fair from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Look for the Stanley $5 Fair Bites signs in participating vendor windows.
Parking at the Fair, which will be managed by members of the Ceres Lions Club, costs $10.
Carnival ride wristbands are $40 for the weekdays and $45 for the weekend but advance wristbands are $32 at FoodMaxx and Save Mart local stores until July 10.
A number of great music acts have been booked to perform on the Fairgrounds’ Modelo Stage beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Drake Milligan
Country music artist Drake Milligan will bring his infectious energy and chart-topping hits to the Modelo Free Variety Stage at the fairgrounds on Friday evening, July 11.
Milligan burst onto the national music stage entering the Billboard Emerging Artists Chart at #5 after dominating iTunes with his debut album, Dallas/Fort Worth, charting back-to-back number one hits on the iTunes Country Songs Chart, number one on iTunes All-Genre Chart and reclaimed the number one spot on iTunes Country Albums Chart.
A student of classic country music with the swagger of early rock, the Fort Worth native cites George Strait and Elvis Presley as musical heroes and his unique twist of traditional country has been embraced by fans, peers and the media alike.
Milligan has performed on the Kelly Clarkson Show, The Grand Ole Opry, Stagecoach and CMA Music Festival.
Ash Ruder
Ash Ruder, a recording artist from Turlock, will be performing at the Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 12.
Post her time competing on ABC’s American Idol, Ash Ruder, a songstress is making waves in the ocean-less city of Nashville. Upon releasing her first single “The Valley,” CMT spotlighted Ruder as the coveted Next Up Now Artist and went on to premiere her dreamy 1970s styled music video with the network. Buckle up!
Her music will take the audience on a California road trip: the sea salt air, a coastal breeze, sunny and 75 degrees. She’s touch of twang, a whole lot of heart, and gives listeners the chance to see the world through sepia-colored glasses.
Los Nuevos Ilegales
Los Nuevos Ilegales, one of the most dynamic groups emerging from Culiacán, Sinaloa, will take the Modelo Variety Free Stage at the Fairgrounds on Sunday, July 13.
The “Nuevos Ilegales,” originally from Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, were formed by Carlos Iván Solís García, the group’s leader and lead vocalist, along with his brother Juan Francisco Solís García, who plays drums.
The two decided to start the band in October 2015, inspired by their shared love of music. It didn’t take long before their corridos and songs could be heard all over Culiacán, even crossing borders and winning over audiences not only in Mexico but also in the United States and throughout Latin America. Hits like “Dicen de Mí,” “Yo Fui el Elegante,” “El Doble R,” “El Tapón,” and many more have contributed to the group’s growing success over the years.
Their new EP, titled “Vamos Pa’ Delante,” features 8 tracks “Reyna la Falsedad,” “Van Quedando Atrás,” “Nada Que Perder,” “Vamos Pa’ Delante,” Aquí Yo Vengo,” “Hoy Estoy Aquí,” “Ahí Les Encargo” and “El Coyote.”
Con Funk Shun
Known for their chart-topping hits and vibrant performances, Con Funk Shun will be performing on Monday, July 14.
“This concert series is about providing the community with top-tier musical acts, and Con Funk Shun’s timeless sound is the perfect addition to our lineup,” said Fair spokesman Jose Piña.
The R&B funk group, which has been pleasing fans for over 50 years, originated with Vallejo founding member Michael Cooper along with high school classmates, Louis McCall, Karl Fuller, Cedric Martin, Danny Thomas, Paul “Zebulan” Harrell, and newfound talent, Felton Pilate. Eventually, the group found a home in Memphis in the mid-1970s when they booked a performance backing Stax Recording Artist, the Soul Children. Soon they were recruited as the background band for Rufus Thomas for the Golden Globe nominated Wattstax Benefit Concert/ Documentary. While in pursuit of a recording contract, the group adopted a new name inspired by the group Nite- Liters’ song, Con Funk Shun.
The newly re-named act attracted the attention of Mercury Records, and soon released their debut album featuring their first single “Sho’ Feels Good To Me.” Con Funk Shun went on to release a total of 11 albums, and eight top ten Billboard hits including the No. 1 hit single “Ffun,” “Chase Me,” “Shake & Dance,” “Baby I’m Hooked” and more.
Hunter Hayes
Country musician Hunter Hayes will be performing on the Model stage on Tuesday, July 15.
Hayes has charted his own path, moving from his country roots into the genre-bending world that he was destined for. On his album, Red Sky, the singer-songwriter has crafted memorable melodies and instantly catchy hooks albeit with a top-notch musician’s discerning ear. His music is both a reflection of his influences, and a product of his prodigious multi-instrumental talents, reflected by the fact that he plays every instrument on his records.
The Louisiana native has garnered over 2 billion on-demand global streams since the release of his debut album, along with six gold and platinum-certified singles.
In addition to his headlining shows, Hayes has also toured with superstars like Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and has headlined sold-out shows across the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. With over 50 award nominations and wins, including five Grammy nominations, Hayes is just getting started.
Jefferson Starship
The legendary rock band Jefferson Starship will headline the Stanislaus County Fair on Tuesday, July 16.
With timeless anthems like “Jane,” “Miracles,” and “Find Your Way Back,” Jefferson Starship continues to captivate audiences with high-energy performances that bridge generations. Their dynamic set list spans all eras of the Jefferson legacy — from Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love” to Starship’s chart-topping hit “We Built This City.”
“We’re incredibly excited to welcome such an iconic band to the fair this year,” said Jose Piña, spokesperson for the Fair. “Jefferson Starship’s music has stood the test of time, and this performance promises to be a highlight of the summer.”
One of the most successful arena rock bands of the ‘70s and ‘80s, Jefferson Starship has earned three platinum and eight gold records, along with numerous Top 40 Billboard singles. In 2025, the band celebrates 50 years of music and touring, a feat achieved by only a handful of acts in rock history.
Founded in the 1970s, Jefferson Starship emerged as a collective of musical pioneers, contributing to a catalog of rock classics. The current lineup came together in 2012, with several members having joined much earlier.
Their current lineup includes original member David Freiberg, longtime drummer Donny Baldwin (joined in 1982), keyboardist Chris Smith (since 1998), guitarist Jude Gold (since 2012), and lead vocalist/guitarist Cathy Richardson (joined in 2008).
As they celebrate their 50th anniversary, Jefferson Starship honors the legacy of Paul Kantner, who died in 2016.
Taking Back Sunday
“Taking Back Sunday” performs on Thursday, July 17. Fans can look forward to an unforgettable night of high-energy music from one of the most influential rock bands.
Taking Back Sunday released its eighth studio album 152 in late 2023, and often refers to themselves as the “luckiest guys you will meet.” Their new album, featuring 10 intensely vulnerable and absorbing new tracks was delivered with fresh ambition and a newfound purpose.
Their hits include “Cute Without the “E’,” “You’re So Last Summer,” “This Photograph” and “MakeDamnSure.”
Ozomatli
Iconic Latin Fusion band “Ozomatli” will perform on Friday, July 18.
This highly anticipated concert is part of the exciting concert series, presented by Black Oak Casino Resort. Fans can expect a high-energy performance that blends Latin, rock, jazz, and funk sounds into an extraordinary musical experience.
Ozomatli is known for their dynamic sound, blending multiple genres into their unique and energetic performances. With hits like “Saturday Night”, “La Fiesta”, and “Cumbia de los Muertos”, “Their lively energy and diverse musical style are a perfect match for our Fair,” said Jose Piña, spokesperson for the Stanislaus County Fair.
If the city of Los Angeles had a soundtrack, it would be Ozomatli. Since their formation in 1995, the six-piece, multi-genre band has been a cultural force, blending Latin, hip-hop, funk, reggae, and global influences into an unmistakable sound that embodies the energy and diversity of LA. In 2025, Ozomatli celebrates an incredible milestone: 30 years of bringing their dynamic, genre-defying music to audiences around the world.
Locash
Locash will take the stage on Saturday, July 19.
With hits like “I Love This Life,” “One Big Country Song,” and “I Know Somebody,” LOCASH’s Preston Brust and Chris Lucas promise to bring high energy and feel-good vibes for an unforgettable night for country fans and fairgoers alike in Turlock.
Banda Renovación
Banda Renovación is bringing their unmistakable Sinaloan sound to the Fair. Banda Renovación, one of the most vibrant and in-demand groups in regional Mexican music, will perform live on Saturday, July 20, 2025, on the Modelo Free Variety Stage.
Hailing from Culiacán, Sinaloa, Banda Renovación has made waves with their dynamic stage presence and passionate sound. As they celebrate 10 years in the music industry, the band continues to push boundaries and represent a new generation in their genre.
Their impressive career has included collaborations with top names like Lenin Ramírez, Pancho Barraza, Luis Antonio López “El Mimoso,” Javier Rosas, and Luis Ángel “El Flaco,” among others.
All concerts are free with a paid general admission ticket.
The shows are open seating and on a space-available basis. There is no seating or seat-saving before 5 p.m.
Arena events are available at additional cost. Visit www.stancofair.com to find information on fair entertainment, local exhibits, and livestock.
