The 132nd Ventura County Fair opens at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Ventura's Seaside Park, and officials expect about 325,000 people to attend the 12-day event.

But anyone can beat the crowds this year by purchasing and printing tickets at home.

"We usually have lines here at the ticket booth, so those who buy their tickets online can bypass all that and go straight to the person with the scanner," said Barbara Boester-Quaid, CEO of the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

From rock concerts to turkey stampedes, the fair will appeal to everyone, officials said.

Among the 47 rides, fairgoers can expect some new attractions, such as the Monkey Maze, a glass fun house, and the Rock 'N Tug, a tugboat that swings like a pendulum.

"We try to book the newer, exciting rides and something for everybody," Boester-Quaid said, but fair officials also want fairgoers to expect rides that are recognizable.

Ride tickets are 75 cents each, and rides require three to six tickets. Fairgoers can purchase 50 presale tickets for $20 until Tuesday — a savings of about 35 cents per ticket.

Cotton candy, popcorn and hot dogs are traditional fare, but this carnival is offering new food vendors, including Spencer McKenzie's fish wagon, which will serve ahi tuna, ceviche tostadas and shrimp skewers.

The fair also features an entertaining concert lineup, with popular bands like Lifehouse and the Beach Boys.

Grandstand Arena concert admission is included in general admission prices.

"We try to make the concerts appealing to a wide variety of folks," Boester-Quaid said.

"When you think about it, the Beach Boys are still really popular. Old school appeals to young people."

The fair's annual parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday beginning at Coronado Street in Ventura. It will feature firefighters from across the county as this year's grand marshal.

The fair has limited on-site parking — accommodating fewer than 2,000 vehicles at $5 each.

However, a free daily shuttle service is provided from six off-site parking locations between 10:30 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Last year's fair drew more than 308,000 people, officials said. Carnival sales produced a record $1.63 million, more than a 3 percent increase over 2005.

"With gas prices the way they are, people want to stay closer to home," Boester-Quaid said.

"They can take the (shuttle) bus and won't have to pay for parking, and if they come on a Dollar Day, what better value is there?"

Ventura County Fair

What's new: An extra hour has been added to carnival wristband times — now wristband-wearing fairgoers can cruise unlimited rides until 7 p.m. Forget waiting in line: This year, fairgoers can buy tickets and wristbands online. And they can buy before the fair, saving money and time (pre-sale carnival ride tickets can save anyone $17.50).

When: Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 12; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends.

Where: Seaside Park in Ventura.

From Los Angeles: Take Highway 101 northbound to the Seaward Avenue exit, turn left toward the ocean to Harbor Boulevard, turn right on Harbor. The fairgrounds are at the corner of Harbor and Figueroa.

From Santa Barbara: Take Highway 101 southbound to the Seaward Avenue exit and make an immediate right on Harbor Blvd. The fair is at Seaside Park.

Cost: Parking at the fair is limited and costs $5, but the shuttle is free from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Adults are admitted for $8, children and seniors for $5; children under age 5 and seniors age 100 or older are admitted free. Wristbands (on select days and times) are $25. Pre-sale ride tickets (a sheet of 50 tickets) are $20.

Special Admission Days: Youth Day (anyone 12 or younger is admitted free), Aug. 3; Automobile Club of Southern California Member Discount Day (show membership card and save $1 on general admission), Aug. 2; Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Day (those 62 and older and all handicapped persons are admitted free), Aug. 7; Military Appreciation Day (all military personal holding a current, valid military ID are admitted free), Aug. 9; SuperLotto Plus Free Admission (buy a SuperLotto Plus ticket on Aug. 1, Aug. 4 or Aug. 8, then show the lotto ticket from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and get one free adult admission), Aug. 9 only; Dollar Days (fair entry is only $1 until 3 p.m.), Aug. 1 and Aug. 8; Carnival Wristband Days (sold from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; good for unlimited rides until 7 p.m.), Aug. 2, Aug. 6, Aug. 7, and Aug. 9.

For more information call 648-3376 or visit www.venturacountyfair.org.