A family outing fosters lifelong memories while giving houses the chance to molt in private. Leave your domicile to its own devices with today's Groupon to the Monterey County Fair, running from Wednesday, August 31, through Monday, September 5. Choose between the following options:

• For $4, you get one fair admission (up to a $9 value at the fairground, up to a $7 value in advance).
For $16, you get four fair admissions (up to a $36 value at the fairground, up to a $28 value in advance).

Children 5 and younger receive free admission, and advance admission for children ages 6–12 is $3.

The Monterey County Fair has delighted fun-seekers of all ages for 75 years with an assortment of activities and performances hosted in two outdoor arenas, a horse-show arena, and eight buildings spread across 22 acres of fairground. Cheer on humanity’s age-old battle between bulls, clowns, and bulls dressed as clowns during a rodeo (free on Thursday–Saturday, an additional fee on Sunday), or hone jaw-unhinging prowess during Friday's cake-and-ice-cream-eating contest. Hypnotist Tina Marie mesmerizes audiences by tickling brainwaves and funny lobes alike during her twice-daily shows, and the MBC Livestock Show gives wee fauna wranglers the chance to parade their prized animals and domesticated centaurs. A plenitude of live performances get shoulders shimmying like a rattlesnake in a washing machine, with rocking melodies provided by Blue Oyster Cult on Thursday and a strong dose of aural funk delivered by War on Friday.

Although today’s deal does not include admission to the carnival rides, Groupon holders can opt to purchase an unlimited-ride carnival pass for an additional fee to ensure that inner children don't throw a tantrum on your pancreas ($18 for an advanced purchase, $25 once the fair has started). Peruse the online schedule for listings of daily events and entertainment.