Solano County Fair under way in Vallejo

When visitors wander through the exhibits of this year’s Solano County Fair, they’ll see ribbons attached to many of the entries submitted by Benicia residents.

Anthony Shannon rescued several several seats from a Fremont theater. He cleaned up one, added staves from a wine barrel and created a rocking chair he said cost him just the price of sandpaper and screws — a dollar — and about an hour in time.

The entry earned him a blue ribbon and a best-in-show rosette.

“It is possible to restore almost anything with enough time, money and skill,” Shannon said. “This project shows that it is also possible to get great results with no money, very little time and almost no skills.”

He challenged fairgoers to imagine the fun of sitting in front of a wide-screen television, watching a movie in a theater-style rocking chair seat. “Now look at the things around you that might go into a landfill, and imagine what they could be.”

He’s not the only one who has turned hardware into art. Another Benician has taken discards and created two pieces of steampunk art.

About his display, Tracy Cullen wrote that others may see some items as junk or scrap, but that “steampunk artists transform it into something new and expressive.”

He describes steampunk, a term coined in the 1980s, as a genre of art and fiction set in an alternate 19th century, British Victorian era.

Cullen’s sculpted soldier, assembled from a tan camouflage uniform, antique military accessories, helmet and mask, earned a blue ribbon in amateur fine arts and sculpture.

But his wall hanging, a square of copper pipe and silvery gears that appears to be ready to deliver coffee or tea to a delicate teacup below, not only got a blue ribbon — it, too, received a best-of-show rosette.

Benicians also have been taking home awards in more conventional county fair categories.

The Giron family historically has done well in the fair’s domestic arts categories, and this year is no exception.

Summer Giron, who planted blooming marigolds to spell out the word “fair” in keeping with this year’s slogan, “Meet Me at the Fair,” earned second place in the adult gardens category. Sculptures of children at play and a happy-looking pig are nestled among the garden’s colorful blossoms.

Jennifer Giron received a red-ribbon rosette for her second-place wheelbarrow garden, which features a farm scene set in a gravel base that is rimmed in red, pink and yellow blooming flowers.

Among her other awards, Summer also took first place for her deep purple grapes, which she entered into the fruits and melons category.

The Solano County Fair is open from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and continues at noon Saturday and Sunday.

Among Friday’s entertainment is the Ophir Prison Marching Band and Temperance Society and Yesterday, a Beatles tribute band. Both will perform on the Galaxy Stage next to the Expo Hall.

Inside the Expo Hall, visitors will be able to see the Benicia city display alongside those of other Solano County cities and the county’s own exhibit. Not only can people learn about Benicia as a destination for “A Great Day by the Bay,” they also can pick up car fresheners and eyeglass cleaners, and fill out an entry to win Downtown Dollars that can be spent at participating First Street businesses.

On the Bay Stage will be the Konsept Party Band, a talent contest, hypnotist Steve Bayner and a karaoke party open to all would-be vocalists.

Alexis Doria and R3al Boi Entertainment will perform in the Cultural Pavilion, which this year has been moved indoors closer to the fair offices.

In the livestock barn, the 4-H and FFA Dairy Goat Show and Small Animal Supreme Showmanship contests will take place.

The Ophir Prison Marching Band and Temperance Society will join the Mad Hatter and his cohorts at 6 p.m. for the inaugural Celebrate Solano Mad Hatter Parade.

Besides music and dance entertainers, livestock, puppet shows, arcade games, Midway rides and other amusements, those going to the fair Saturday will be able to see the return of the Solano County Fair Demolition Derby, which starts at 2:30 p.m. Stock cars and trucks both will be involved in the deliberate smashups in the Sports Arena.

Admission to the Demolition Derby is $25, and if bought online before midnight Friday from the fair’s website, scfair.com, a derby ticket will include admission to the fair as well.

Other Saturday entertainment: the Jeanpierre Models Fashion Show, the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers, Danc-sing Stars, Contraband, Solano Stars! vocal competition, karaoke, Island Warrior Filipino martial arts, Dancers of the Desert bellydancers, Forever Young Dance Group, Bali dance by Alexis Scott, Zumba and the Junior Livestock Auction.

The evening concert will feature Journey Revisited, another tribute band.

Sunday is the final day of the fair. During the day visitors can see Jeripeo con Toros Bravos, Banda Ahuatian, Kajukenbo self-defense, Grateful Sirens Belly Dancers, CC Amato and the Rob Tracy Band, UB707, yo-yo champion Daniel Kim, Vai Hau Nui Polynesian dancers, Ascension Band, Larz De’Lago, youth and adult cooking contests and a “horse racing 101” beginners’ seminar.

The final concert starts at 6 p.m. Sunday, and stars Los Canarios de Michoacan, with Banda La Grande de Jalisco and Los Tremendos de Mexico.

The fair’s website is scfair.com. Admission is $10 for adult general admission, $6 for children 6 to 12, those 60 and older and military veterans. Those 5 and younger and active duty military with identification are admitted at no charge.

Carnival wristbands, allowing the purchaser to ride all day for a single day, are $25. Admission to military personnel and dependents with active duty cards is free Friday. Parking is $10.