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  Monterey County Fair welcomes military

  MONTEREY, Calif. -- Airman 1st Class Jacob Talbot and Airman 1st Class Easton Penland take a break from their studies at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center and enjoy the Monterey County Fair with guests during Military Appreciation...

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  Monterey County Fair welcomes military

  MONTEREY, Calif. -- Maj. Ben Shaha (right) and Maj. Mark Lee (left), both Naval Postgraduate School students, watch their children take a spin on one of the many carnival rides during the Wells Fargo Military Appreciation Day at the Monterey County...

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  Monterey County Fair welcomes military

  MONTEREY, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Michael Hinchliffe, Marine Corps Detachment Monterey, and his wife introduce their son to one of several cows on display at the live animal exhibition inside the Monterey County Fair.

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  Monterey County Fair welcomes military

  MONTEREY, Calif. -- Airman 1st Class Jacob Talbot and Airman 1st Class Easton Penland take in the view before the plunge while riding the "Super Shot," one of more than 30 carnival-style rides at the Monterey County Fair.

PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- Monterey area service members took time during the long Labor Day weekend to enjoy the sights and activities offered at the Monterey County Fair here.

This year saw the fair celebrate its 76th year. In the tradition of county fairs, organizers offered family entertainment that included carnival rides, music and live entertainment, and traditional competitions at the fairgrounds.

A very popular day for military personnel stationed here was Military Appreciation Day.

Not only were active-duty military members and their families welcomed to the fair free of charge Aug. 31, but fair organizers also held a flag ceremony and military dedication in Pattee Arena before the evening's rodeo.