Good, wholesome fun at the Fair, Cameron Sullivan-style

Pig races, Frisbee dogs, fried dough, live music, carnival games, cotton candy and more… What's not to love?

We have a good friend who has lived in Pleasanton for more than 10 years with his wife and three children. "Bud," who asked that I conceal his identity, actually brags that he has "successfully avoided the fair" every summer since moving to town from the East Coast.

Bud's kids and wife, meanwhile, attend the fair nearly every year. From the kids' toddler stages, when a "day" at the fair amounted to no more than a 90 minute visit, to the pubescent years, when teens request the freedom to explore the fairgrounds with the parents at a distance, Bud's wife and kids have done it all.

"Still haven't been!" Bud jokes. "I'm batting a thousand!"

Clearly, Bud isn't a fan of the fair. But he can't know what he's missing if he has never attended. I hope to run into him at this year's fair.

In our 13 years as Pleasanton residents, we've attended the fair nearly every year, with the exception of the years that I was either too pregnant, in labor, or had too many children under the ages of three (1998 and 2000-2002).

In our many visits we've seen pigs race, dogs perform, and have won several goldfish. We only brought home the first one, who was aptly named "Fishy Dude," and who within months of living in his new habitat – a backyard pond – was invited to lunch with the neighborhood egrets. We haven't seen him since.

The kids didn't understand that joke back in 2005; they thought Fishy Dude really went out to eat a guormet meal. Now they chuckle over who had a better lunch – the fish or the egret.

Each year, we are able to add a little more to the Fair experience than the prior year. This year, I hope my husband and I can take in some of the live evening concerts. For the most part, however, the fair is best for creating a summertime diversion.

With our many years' experience, I thought I ought to offer a few tips for simplifying family visits to the fair and for managing the kids' expectations:

• Transportation: We live less than two miles from the fairgrounds and with the kids now 10, 10 and 12, we may make the trip by bicycle. We'll lock the bikes outside the fairgrounds on the Pleasanton Ave., entrance, or a couple of blocks away at a bike rack at Veterans Park on on Peters Dr.
• If you drive, save money and hassle by parking just outside the fairgrounds on one of the side streets near downtown near the Pleasanton Ave. entrance. The ease of grabbing an ice cream (Cold Stone Creamery), some candy (Cupid's Tooth), an iced coffee (Cafe Main) a margarita (Alberto's Cantina) on either end of your visit will make the walk worth the effort.
• After reviewing the day's offerings at the fair, choose which activities you and the kids want to do and stick to a schedule, but build in some flex-time for unexpected farm animal amusement.
• Set limits in advance: How much money (if any) will you contribute to each child for the fair? How much of their own money should they bring? How many prizes will they be allowed to win? Will you allow them to win a goldfish? How many treats?
• Plan your activities in advance: Choose which activities, performances or races each person wants to visit. Set time limits in advance for open-ended activities such as rides. Inform everyone of your expected departure time.
• Apply sunscreen before leaving; wear hats; bring refillable water bottles.
• Wear comfortable shoes with socks; flip-flops are not ideal!
• Have each family member carry a small backpack, and don't fill it before leaving. Everyone will need backpack space for carrying home his or her loot from the fair.

Finally, if you run into a guy named Bud who looks like he's having a great time on his first visit to the fair, tell him I said "I told you so."

Cameron Sullivan is the author of the blog, Candid Cameron.