Fair out, man

The Dixon May Fair goes all the way back to the ’70s—and not the 1970s. The annual tradition (and the oldest fair in California) began May 1, 1876, as an early United States centennial party. Nowadays, the fair is part agricultural celebration, part music and arts festival, and part demolition derby. This year, there will be carnival rides and a pig race, in addition to exhibits of livestock, plants, wine, and arts and crafts.

What’s most impressive, perhaps, is the music lineup: Wednesday night’s concert will feature Grammy-winning bluesman Johnny Lang with Robben Ford; Thursday’s concert features John Kay & Steppenwolf with Eric Burdon and the Animals; Friday, Trace Adkins and Merle Haggard will perform; and Saturday, Disney star Selena Gomez will perform with her band the Scene, with Days Difference opening.

Wednesday, May 4 through Sunday, May 8; $12 for general admission, $7 for children ages 5-12 and $8 for seniors and people with military identifications. Concert and demolition-derby tickets cost extra, but include free admission to the fair. Dixon May Fairgrounds, 655 S. First Street in Dixon. For more information, call (707) 678-5529 or visit www.dixonmayfair.com.