Are You Ready for the Alameda County Fair?

Starting Wednesday, the Alameda County Fairgrounds will be the place to go for carnival rides, exhibits, free concerts, horse racing and fair food favorites like fried snack cakes and candy bars.

The Alameda County Fair will run through July 11 but will be closed on Tuesdays. Highlights include fireworks on July 2, a hot dog eating contest on July 4th and 16 days of horse racing.

The fair kicks off with an Opening Day Hat Contest from 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the grandstands. Foreverland, a Michael Jackson tribute band, kicks off the concert series, which features shows at 6 and 8 p.m.

New this year is Mutton Bustin, where kids ages 3 to 6 will attempt to ride sheep.

Other special promotions this year include:

• $3 admission on Wacky Wednesdays, June 23, June 30 and July 7.
• Free admission for members of the military and a guest on Military Appreciation Day on July  2.
• Free admission for seniors on June 24, July 1 and July 8 and kids free days on June 25, July 2 and July 9.
• On June 28, or Fair Food Drive day, those who bring four non-perishable items to be donated to the Alameda County Community Food Bank will get free admission.

Discount tickets are on sale at numerous local businesses until tomorrow night. A list of where to go can be found here. The first 10,000 Facebook fans of the Alameda County Fair gets half off an admission ticket. The discounted tickets can be picked up at Will Call.

For those who enjoy competition, a hot dog eating contest as well as the amateur  Rib Cook-Off finals take place on July 4.

This year, the fair will also hold the Big Green Race, where teams of youths will complete a challenge and race focusing on "green" activities.

For a line-up of the free concerts, check this list.

The fair is among the top 50 largest in the country and draws about 430,000 visitors.