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• Miles Eggleston

The season of the fair — with fried-food smells, swirling rides and blue-ribbon goods — is here. The Best of Humboldt Fair, the first of the summer, spins its Ferris wheel high in the sky and welcomes families through the gates at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds June 23 through June 26 for four days of arts, entertainment, agriculture and more ($12 adults, $5 seniors and kids 6 to 12, free for active military and kids under 6).

There's something for everyone this year, from the NASCAR Experience to the quilt and flower show to the Exceptional Rodeo to local products and animals large and small in the livestock barn. Family entertainment includes big top circus fun with juggling, stilt walking and clowning around courtesy of the Jest in Time Circus. Nature Joe's back with his furry and feathered Animal Exhibit, and if you dare, take A Walk on the Wild Side for critters with a bigger bite. Steve the Pretty Good Magician has a few scarves up his sleeve and Karen Quest, recently at Mad River Festival, performs whip-crackin' cow girl tricks. Kids wearing the coveted carnival wristband ($30) can ride all the rides their little corn dog and cotton candy-filled stomachs can handle. And, of course, no fair would be complete without food, food, food and lots of live music.