It’s that time of year, the annual Santa Barbara Fair and Expo is back for two weekends at Earl Warren Showgrounds.
The fair officially opens Thursday night, but preparations have been underway at 3400 Calle Real for days.
Along with crews putting together the carnival rides, Rachel Oatis Johnston, exhibit hall coordinator, has been preparing to display community members’ homemade arts, crafts, desserts and quilts, among other offerings inside the hall.
Oatis Johnston said she feels the exposition is an overlooked part of the fair, and wants more people to visit the hall and see the entries and winners.
The exposition is like a big contest and has around a dozen categories adults and children can enter to try to take home a blue ribbon.
Goleta resident Sara Randolph entered her homemade zucchini bread and brown butter chocolate chip cookies on Saturday.
“It is a way for me to display my creativity,” she said. “I am an engineer by day and have to sit and do math things all day.”
Judges critique the baked goods based on taste and presentation.
“It’s not a competition, everyone is having a good time, but if I win a blue ribbon, that’s even better,” Randolph said.
The Raytheon engineer also submitted three crochet sweaters and tops she estimates she spent about 15 hours on.
Oatis Johnston also said anyone in the community can be a judge for the baked goods category, and those interested need to reach out to her ahead of time to participate.
Ventura residents Keith and Lisa Saathoff also submit their work just for fun.
Lisa Saathoff submitted wooden art and a watercolor landscape painting.
“I did the watercolor in a few hours, and it is the first watercolor and painting I have ever done,” she said.
She said she was hesitant to submit her artwork at first, but after some encouragement decided to.
“I enjoy doing crafts, but I don’t particularly think I am really good at it,” she said.
Keith Saathoff submitted entries to a couple of categories, including photography, literature and collections, with his extensive Little People toy collection.
“There’s so many people in the exposition, so I have gratitude, I feel part of the community” he said. “Taking photos has helped my depression and see the beauty in the world.”
Keith Saathoff’s toy collection filled two large plastic tubs and he estimated the value at around $2,000.
Some of the sets in his collection are themed after popular movies and television shows such as “Wicked” and “The Golden Girls.”
Fair attendees can visit the exhibit hall and see all the entries and winners.
Inside the exhibit hall is also artwork from local schools on display and a tricycle race area open to kids during fair hours.
Pre-sale tickets to get into the fair are already on sale — $10 for adults and $6 for children
Fair Hours
Thursday April 23, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Carnival 10 p.m.)
Friday April 24, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Carnival midnight)
Saturday April 25, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Carnival midnight)
Sunday April 26, 11 a.m. – 9 .p.m. (Carnival 10 p.m.)
Friday May 1, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Carnival midnight)
Saturday May 2nd, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Carnival midnight)
Sunday May 3rd, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Carnival 10 p.m.)
