The 97th annual Alameda County Fair is up and running. Held at the Alameda Fairgrounds in Pleasanton through July 19 (closed Mondays), this year’s fair – Come Out And Play! – invites people from the Bay Area and beyond to visit the fairgrounds and enjoy fantastic food, exhibits and entertainment, from carnival rides to live horse racing, food-eating contests to pig races. Families looking for a bargain will find plenty of inexpensive fun. Kids get in free on Fridays; Tuesday admission is only $2; on weekends, military service men and women are admitted for free (with valid ID); and there’s no charge for admission for seniors on Wednesdays.

This year’s fair offers a host of kid-friendly activities, including the Fido 500 Mini Dog Races; Storytime Theater, featuring Curious George and Clifford the Big Red Dog; Kids Park, providing kid-sized rides and games; Pig Races, a fair favorite; Carnival Rides such as Grand Carousel, Himalaya, Cyclone, Wacky Worm, Fun Mardi Gras and Orient Express; Live Horse Racing on the oldest one-mile racetrack in the United States; and the rough, tough action of Live Roller Derby.

The fair’s free concert series will energize audiences with artists such as Night Ranger (July 3), Carmen Jara (July 5), Bowling For Soup (July 10), En Vogue (July 11), Bucky Covington (July 12), BJ Thomas (July 15) and ConFunkShun (July 18).

The entire family will enjoy a cornucopia of culinary delights at the fair, from on-the-go favorites such as corn dogs, cheese and sausage on a stick, funnel cakes and deep-fried Twinkies to fare celebrating the traditions of India, New Orleans and Mexico. Key attractions include the BBQ Rib Cook-off; Make it, Take it, Bake it and Grow it, and Hot Dog Eating Relay Contest.

Nestled amid the lush greenery and shade trees that make up the beautiful competitive garden display area, the Wine & Beer Garden will treat guests to a sensational sampling of the San Francisco Bay Area’s award-winning wines.

For Agricultural Edu-tainment, families will learn about animal husbandry and livestock education with activities such as AgVenture Park, an interactive and educational area featuring hands-on activities and crafts, including simulated cow milking and pony saddling; Farm Time Tour, an exhibit all about life on the farm; and the Great American Petting Zoo, offering hands-on petting and feeding of domestic animals, where children can learn about animals and birds found throughout North America.

For more information about the fair, visit www.alamedacountyfair.com or call 925-426-7600.