Honoring a yearly tradition, more than 50 rides and at least 60 food booths will offer something for all ages and taste buds at the Ventura County Fair.

"We offer something for everybody," said Barbara Boester-Quaid, CEO of the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

When it comes to food, "we have everything, from deep fried sinful to healthy gourmet," she said, adding that families will find something for everyone. If "the kids want one thing and the dad wants another and the mom wants something healthy, they'll be able to get it here at the fair."

Vendors will offer fish tacos, Pink's Hot Dogs — "which were really popular last year" — Polish sausages, halibut dinners, Chinese food, Dip and Dots ice cream and Hot Dog on a Stick. Longtime fair favorites will include hamburgers, pizza, popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones, caramel apples, spiral fries and funnel cakes.

"We also have fresh roasted corn, in the husk or out of the husk," Boester-Quaid said. "They will even take the kernels off of the cob for you if you like."

Some of the most popular treats include the roasted corn, Kettle corn, "and the roasted almonds you can smell from the time you park your car."

This year will feature about 50 rides, including youth and adult attractions.

A new offering this year are carnival wristbands so attendees can ride an extra hour until 7 p.m. Wristbands are sold for $25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 2, Aug. 6, Aug. 7 and Aug. 9.

To select the rides, fair officials begin the process a year in advance at each fair's end, Boester-Quaid said.

"What we look for is the history of the ride, as well as the ride operator because safety is most important to us," she explained. "If their references check out, then we look at the ride to make sure it looks good, runs good and is certified by OSHA."

Two simulators will offer a virtual experience with several different scenarios, including skiing down a mountain and riding a roller coaster.

"It's simulated and doesn't even leave the ground — you're sitting and the machinery rocks back and forth, and you're inside seeing a movie on a screen in front of you. It feels like you're experiencing what's on screen."

For children, there are miniature sailboats, a fun house, a mini roller coaster, mini teacups — "like the ones at Disneyland" — and a farm train with cars that look like a tractor, bulldozer and other farm equipment.

For adults, a Mega Drop "takes you way up, stops for a few seconds, then drops you down — so you come down and your stomach is still up there," Boester-Quaid said.

On the Pole Position roller coaster, "the cars go up and down on the tracks and spin at the same time," and those who ride the Starship 3000 "go inside and stand up against the wall; the ride spins around and the centrifugal force of the ride plasters you up against the wall."

Traditional favorites will include a carousel, Ferris wheel, and a Fast Track Slide that's almost 100 feet tall.

"It's the largest portable slide in the United States," Boester-Quaid said.

Another time-honored favorite featured this year is the Tilt-A-Whirl, a ride with free-spinning cars attached at fixed pivot points on a rotating platform.

As the platform revolves, parts of the platform are raised and lowered, and the resulting centrifugal and gravitational forces on the cars cause them to randomly spin in different directions and speeds.

"The Tilt-A-Whirl is a big favorite for everybody," Boester-Quaid said.

"It's a little bit thrilling and it's safe. For those who don't want to be terrified, you're spinning but spinning at a speed where you're not terrified. So the Tilt-A-Whirl is a big favorite, especially for families."