Local county fairs are still going strong in the Central Valley despite evolving demographics, lost funding, and shifting run dates. In the Central Valley, the San Joaquin County Fair and the Stanislaus County Fair have changed with the times to maintain their popularity throughout the recession.

The new Kidz Club at the Stanislaus County Fair is a great chance for children to learn about the fair and to engage with their parents through problem solving and project building.

“The Stanislaus County Fair has a crucial educational component to our community,” said Adrenna Alkhas, spokeswoman for the fair. “Kidz Club is geared toward promoting education with parents, while children are having fun at the fair.”

Parents can register children 4 to 12 years old through the fair’s website at www.stancofair.com. The first 500 children to sign up for Kidz Club will receive a free tote bag filled with goodies, two carnival ride tickets, and passport postcard to “travel” around the fair.

TURLOCK, CA (AP) - An estimated 50,000 hens are dead or will be euthanized after authorities found them starving on a chicken ranch in Central California on Wednesday.

The Modesto Bee reports that the hens were found on property near the town of Turlock that is rented by A&L Poultry. Authorities say the hens had not been fed in more than two weeks.

Annette Patton of the Stanislaus Animal Service agency says that about one-third of the hens died of starvation. The rest are in such poor condition they must be euthanized.

Owner Andy Keung Cheung declined to comment when the newspaper reached him by telephone.

Patton says animal service officials investigated after a citizen complained about the business. She says the owner is potentially facing animal neglect charges.