SAN MATEO, CA – JUNE 5: Nicholas Garcia, of South San Francisco, rides the Yoyo ride during the opening day of the San Mateo County Fair in San Mateo, Calif., on Saturday, June 5, 2021. The fair was canceled last year because of Covid. This year the fair is open from June 5th through the 13th. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 

Carnival rides. Pig races. Live concerts. And COVID-19 vaccines.

The first Bay Area county fair of the post-pandemic era opened its gates this weekend, with all of the fun plus plenty of precautions. Fairgoers were admonished to wear masks and social distance. Those who hadn’t been vaccinated could get jabbed for free onsite — and receive free admission plus a $20 food voucher and four ride tickets.

SAN MATEO, CA – JUNE 5: Visitors begin arriving to attend the opening day of the San Mateo County Fair in San Mateo, Calif., on Saturday, June 5, 2021. The fair was canceled last year because of Covid. This year the fair is open from June 5th through the 13th. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 

“We are excited to welcome the community back to the fairgrounds to enjoy all the attractions, activities, food, and traditions we missed last year,” Justin Aquino, fair operations manager, said in his announcement of the festivities. “By offering the opportunity to get vaccines at the fair, we want to encourage the entire community to get vaccinated so we can all safely enjoy the fair for years to come.”

For many Bay Area residents, this could be the only opportunity for an up-close-and-personal county fair experience until autumn, when Alameda County hosts its fair, rescheduled from summer to Oct. 22-31. Because of pandemic limits, Contra Costa County officials postponed their next event until next May, saying “the decision to cancel the 2021 fair did not come lightly.” Santa Clara County Fair officials are opting for a drive-thru version in July/August with exhibits and fair food but no carnival rides.

In San Mateo, one of the perennial fair draws —  the live concerts, free with fair admission — are going forward this week with socially distanced seating. Taking to the stage the first night were rappers Coolio and Young MC, as well as C+C Music Factory.

The fair will reopen Wednesday with cover band Journey Revisited, followed by Petty Fever on Thursday and Creedence Revelation on Friday.

On the fair’s final weekend, full-day lineups of musical acts are scheduled for Pacific Islands Day on Saturday and Dia de La Feria on Sunday, June 13.

SAN MATEO, CA – JUNE 5: 4-H member Nick Damon, 12, of San Carlos, applies a balm to his pig named “Cinnamon” during the opening day of the San Mateo County Fair in San Mateo, Calif., on Saturday, June 5, 2021. The fair was canceled last year because of Covid. This year the fair is open from June 5th through the 13th. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 

New this year are exhibits from the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum, a traveling center that brings its educational displays to Bay Area schools, and a “Peninsula at War” history display. Inside the Expo Hall, visitors will find family game and robotic zones as well as fine arts and the floral/agricultural landscapes for which San Mateo County and its fair are known.

Advance purchase offers a $5 discount on all tickets. And on Wednesday, ticket prices are reduced for all fairgoers. Find pricing, hours, maps and details at www.sanmateocountyfair.com.

SAN MATEO, CA – JUNE 5: Joanna Chen, of San Francisco, stops to take a photo with the fair mascot while enjoying the opening day of the San Mateo County Fair in San Mateo, Calif., on Saturday, June 5, 2021. The fair was canceled last year because of Covid. This year the fair is open from June 5th through the 13th. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)