@1-Caption Credit:James Glover II / Star staff Kevin Macey of Port Hueneme does his best rooster call at the Ventura County Fair's Hen Cackling and Rooster Crowing at last year's fair.

For 132 years, the Ventura County Fair has brought tons of fun and millions of dollars to the state and local community. It is under the direction of the state of California Department of Food and Agriculture Division of Fairs and Expositions.

The early fairs were a popular way to bring people together and show products. Agricultural exhibits and horse racing were crowd favorites, and evenings ended with a music concert or dance.

The fair in September 1891 in Hueneme (no port yet) was a huge-one day gathering of 1,100 people, with 40 box stalls for race stock, and a pretty baby show. By 1915, 12,000 people attended the three-day fair held in September at Seaside Park.

Mr. and Mrs. E.P. Foster donated 65 acres now known as the Ventura County Fairgrounds at Seaside Park — the site of the fair, as well as other events such as dog shows, concerts, car racing, and satellite horse race wagering.

Fair activities and events grew with the years. Produce grown in backyards and on farms were the mainstay exhibits. Horses, beef cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits and chickens were shown.

Thousands of entries for baked and preserved goods, clothing, textiles, and arts and crafts were on display. Husbands were encouraged to enter the men's pie baking contest.

A junior fair was introduced so that children could join in as well with livestock and home economics entries.

Fairs were not held during World War I, the Great Depression and World War II. After World War II, converted aircraft hangars were used for commercial exhibits and are still in use today.

Entertainment started with puppets, jugglers and acrobatics, but it has grown to well-known talent in the Grandstand Arena. This year's concerts, included with the adult $8 admission, are: Tanya Tucker, REO Speedwagon, Tony Orlando, The Beach Boys, JoDee Messina, and The Bangles.

The sight of the Ferris wheel for Ventura County children is like spotting the Matterhorn on the way to Disneyland, though the entry fee is vastly different, with a $5 fair price for children compared with $53 for the Anaheim amusement park.

New events are added each year. This year, a Birthing Center, located at the end of the fairground's Main Street, will have pregnant animals ready to deliver lambs, cows, goats, pigs and other animals during the fair.

Adding to the excitement, turkey races will take place in Porker Flats along with fair favorite the All-Alaskan Pig Races.

Recycling now is a priority at the fairgrounds. Fair vendors are required to provide many recyclable and compostable containers, while Seaside Park recycles cardboard and more than 250 tons of straw discards and animal manure.

According to a 2003 California Department of Food and Agriculture Divisions of Fairs and Expositions report, "Fairs, Exploring a California Gold Mine," Ventura's 2002 fair and year-round events at Seaside Park contributed more than $51.8 million in economic benefit to the county.

The fair also created 655 local jobs and generated $883,624 in local tax revenue.

The report further states that a central feature of the fair is to educate people about the importance of agriculture in California. Eighty-one percent of fairgoers felt that they knew more about agriculture after going to the fair and 96 percent of attendees agreed that the fair provided worthwhile community benefits.

Additionally, the fair is a critical part of the local junior livestock program, which educates young people about the breeding, raising and grooming of farm animals.

The junior livestock auction at the fair grossed $537,450, with 398 animals purchased.

"Fairs reach far beyond their agrarian roots and encourage industries and individuals to strive for excellence through competitions. Winning the blue ribbon at a fair competition is a great incentive to showcase the best of California," the report states.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture supervises 78 fairs statewide.

More than 300,000 people are expected to attend the 12-day 2007 Ventura County Fair, approximately three times the population of the city of Ventura.