Service members, military families turn out for Monterey County Fair Military Appreciation Day

By Michael Beaton, Presidio of MontereySeptember 10, 2014

Monterey County Fair Military Appreciation Day 2014
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- The Monterey County Fair rolled out the red carpet for service members and their families with free admission and special recognition during Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 29. Active duty military and their family me... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Monterey County Fair Military Appreciation Day 2014
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- The Monterey County Fair rolled out the red carpet for service members and their families with free admission and special recognition during Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 29. Active duty military and their family me... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Monterey County Fair Military Appreciation Day 2014
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- The Monterey County Fair rolled out the red carpet for service members and their families with free admission and special recognition during Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 29. Active duty military and their family me... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Monterey County Fair Military Appreciation Day 2014
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- The Monterey County Fair rolled out the red carpet for service members and their families with free admission and special recognition during Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 29. Active duty military and their family me... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Monterey County Fair Military Appreciation Day 2014
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- The Monterey County Fair rolled out the red carpet for service members and their families with free admission and special recognition during Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 29. Active duty military and their family me... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Monterey County Fair Military Appreciation Day 2014
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- The Monterey County Fair rolled out the red carpet for service members and their families with free admission and special recognition during Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 29. Active duty military and their family me... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Monterey County Fair Military Appreciation Day 2014
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- The Monterey County Fair rolled out the red carpet for service members and their families with free admission and special recognition during Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 29. Active duty military and their family me... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- The Monterey County Fair rolled out the red carpet for service members and their families with a special recognition during Military Appreciation Day Aug. 29. Also, as part of the appreciation day, members of the Armed Forces and their families received free admission and reduced rates on midway carnival rides.

The five-day annual fair featured colorful midway games of chance, food and beverage vendors, a full schedule of live bands playing a variety of music and a rodeo show that included bull and bronco riding as well as demonstrations of cowboy trick riding and roping.

The fair also presented a full array of exhibits on the arts, animals, agriculture, wines, baked goods, flowers, handicrafts, home economics, environmental stewardship and water conservation.

"Over the years, the Monterey County Fair has always been proud to treat our military to a day at the fair with their families and friends," said Jacky Eshelby, fair spokeswoman. "We want them to know how much we appreciate their service, and we are only too happy to set aside a day and welcome them in."

Eshelby said that service members from the Presidio of Monterey and Naval Postgraduate School traditionally turn out in large numbers to enjoy the fair and that the fairs organizers are always glad to invite them each year.

During the opening ceremony of the fairs rodeo a gigantic stars and stripes flag was ceremonially unfurled in the center of the Pattee Arena and amphitheater, and members of the armed forces were officially recognized and welcomed to the fair.

Later the same evening military service members were thanked from the fairs Payton Garden stage and given a rousing round of applause by the audience, as well as members of the popular music band "WAR", prior to beginning their set.

"The Presidio and Naval Postgraduate School are part of our greater Monterey community; they're our neighbors and it's our pleasure to have them as our guests." said Eshelby.

This years the Monterey County Fair celebrated its 78th anniversary.

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