• Photo by Mark Larson

The cotton candy, deep-fried, corn dog days of summer are here. And how do we know? Breathe deep, friends. That's the Best of Humboldt Fair, serving up four days of food and fun June 21-24 at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds ($12 adults, $6 seniors/youth, free admission Thursday, June 21). And the weather's certainly been fair, hasn't it?

This fair packs a wallop of fun into four days. Stock car racing, tractor pulls, boat races and go-karts rev up excitement in the grandstands (separate pricing), while the carnival's thrill rides, fun houses, kid rides and games are open from noon to midnight Thursday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday (wristbands for unlimited rides $35 at the gate, $25 advance). Kids love Steve the Pretty Good Magician, Jest in Time Circus performers, Stingray Encounter, BMX stunt riders, Nature Joe's Animal Exhibit and Annie the Clown. Not to mention all the exhibits in the fair halls and buildings, the aforementioned fair food (curly fries, corn dogs, funnel cakes, fry bread ...) and live bands. On-site food vendors Frankie's New York Bagels and Humboldt Cider Co. will be serving up your faves, too. Stop at the Cow Palace to see cow it's going with the livestock. There you can pet the calves, goats, chickens and more. Piggies, bunnies and lambs are found one building over, with 4-H showings happening in between.

The fair is the perfect way to get the summer party started so round up your pals and head to the acres for all-day and all-night fun. More info at www.redwoodacres.com.