• Photo by Mark Boyd

The Best of Humboldt Fair is back June 22-25 at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds ($12, $5 senior and youth admission, free for military and kids under 6; carnival tickets sold separately).

Enjoy the "best of" local local arts, crafts, food and more at the fairgrounds in four buildings and on the racetrack. This year's fair includes all your favorites: the carnival, livestock shows, Nature Joe, a wild animal exhibit, truck pulls, the Kidz Science Safari, A & L Feed's Petting Zoo, the variety stage with all kinds of performances including live music from Jeffery Smoller, Kendra Cook and Brad Wilson and the Rollin' Thunder Blues Thunder Band, plus cowgirl tricks with Karen Quest and magic shows with Steve, the Pretty Good Magician. And, of course, all the delicious fair food you've come to know, love and regret: curly fries, corn dogs, cotton candy, kettle corn, funnel cakes, fried bread, nachos and just about anything deep fried they can throw in the pot: asparagus, Oreos and Snickers.

New this year is the Haai Shark Encounter where you can see live sharks swimmin' and grinnin'. Also, the Pirate's Parrot Ship with a pirate and his gorgeous, colorful birds.

Gates open at 8 a.m. for the livestock shows (piggies, goats, cows and chickens and other barnyard friends) and the buildings on the fairgrounds with flower and art shows, Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ride the Ferris wheel and try your luck at winning your date a stuffed poop emoji at the carnival from noon to midnight, Thursday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday ($35 all ride pass). Take advantage of free admission all day Thursday, June 22; seniors 60+ get in free on Friday, June 23.