Ramona CA— The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will present the 48th annual Ramona Country Fair, Thursday, Aug. 23 to Sunday, Aug. 26, at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Lane, Ramona. Admission is free. Parking is $5 per carload. Fair hours are: 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23; 5 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 24; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26.
Billed as a real old-fashioned country fair, the event will feature a midway of carnival rides, games and prizes, “only-at-the-fair” food choices, a stage for live music and entertainment, crafts, shopping and contests for crafters and cooks vying for blue ribbons. The fair also will feature a large variety of vendors, including local businesses and home crafters.
Proceeds from the fair will benefit the Ramona community, including Chamber scholarships to Ramona students and support to other local events that promotes Ramona as a destination.
New this year: Medieval Renaissance knights performances featuring demonstrations of sword battles and archery by the Adrian Empire on Saturday and Sunday afternoon; Grape stomp organized by the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association, plus a “Cheers to the Valley Wine Festival” on Sunday evening.

Events returning this year: Wild West Show with real cowboys from the Hole in the Wall Gang performance group at 7 p.m. on Saturday; the Ramona Gong Show at 5 p.m. on Saturday, an amateur talent contest reminiscent of the crazy 1970s television show where judges will review acts; a gymkhana show starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday featuring demonstrations of the equestrian sport of horses with riders in various speed-pattern racing and timed events, including barrel racing, pole bending and a flag race and stake race.
Additional highlights this year will include: Ramona Music Festival starting at 6 p.m. on Friday; yoga starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday; gardening clinic from a master gardener starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday; a VIP Tent with admission priced starting at $25 per person and featuring food and cash bar, including an assortment of craft and domestic beers.
A variety of crowd-pleasing, hometown contests are planned, including awards for the best homemade jams, jellies, jerky, salsas, breads, muffins, desserts, pickles and relishes. Winners also will be selected for art and photography.
“The Ramona Country Fair is an old-fashioned country fair that shows how Ramona has that home-sweet-home feeling and the best that small towns still have to offer,” said Karen Domnitz, Ramona Chamber board member and chairman of the 2018 Ramona Country Fair. “We are guaranteeing family fun for the whole family. It’s the best four days of summer.”
Musical band performances will be from the Three Cord Justice Bank (1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25), Sickstring Outlaws Band (2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26) and Chasing the Sun (5 p.m, Sunday, Aug. 26).
Fair sponsors include San Diego Gas & Electric Co, Paseo Village Townhomes, Barona Resort & Casino, Kamps Propane, Ramona Disposal Service, Willow Ridge Estates, One Stop Equipment Rental, Law Offices of Krysak & Associates and Poway Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram. For more information, call (760) 789-1311, or visit www.ramonachamber.com/ramona-country-fair and www.facebook.com/RamonaCountryFair.