The California Mid-Winter Fair opens the gates on Friday.

The gates swing open at 3:00 p.m. and the fun-filled 13-day run of the fair begins. Friday is Military Appreciation and Senior Appreciation Day. There will be free admission for active military and veterans, with proper identification. Additionally, all senior citizen's, 60 and older, can get in free. Friday night will see the Red Hot Chollo Peppers on the Mechanics Bank Center Stage at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, the gates open at noon. Entertainment includes Stiletto Saturday with a show that honors the 80's music scene. Capitol 64, a local Classic Rock and Country band will perform early Beatles tunes at 1:00 p.m. Saturday night will see and hear the Heritage Dirt Karts on the fairgrounds track. The fun starts at 5:00 p.m. and admission to the races is free with fair admission.

The gates open at noon on Sunday, and a full day of fun is scheduled. Of course, the Helm Brothers Amusements carnival is providing thrills, chills and excitement all day and there will be entertaining musicians, magicians and artists strolling the grounds all day. Sunday evening it's the fusion sounds of Left of Centre Band at 6:00 p.m. on the Mechanics Band Stage.