Tri-Valley Innovation Fair — robots, drones, buses

Pleasanton’s Tri-Valley Innovation Fair returns Saturday, April 18, with free admission and a full day of hands-on robots, drones and electric transit displays. (kqed.org) Quest Science Center is presenting the 8th annual event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, with exhibits spread across the Court of Four Seasons buildings. Organizers say visitors can enter through Gate 8 or 12 off Valley Avenue. (quest-science.org; alamedacountyfair.com) The fair lists more than 70 exhibits from local companies, schools and community groups. KQED reported the lineup includes robot demonstrations, drones, an electric bus and engineering challenges alongside science activities for children. (quest-science.org; kqed.org) The event is built as a hands-on science and engineering expo, not a trade show. Quest Science Center says families can meet scientists, engineers and creators from across the region and try activities indoors and outdoors. (quest-science.org) That format matches the group’s broader mission in the Tri-Valley, where Quest Science Center has been developing public science programming while working toward a permanent science center. The Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce calendar says the fair is expected to draw thousands of visitors. (business.pleasanton.org; quest-science.org) Admission is free, but parking at the fairgrounds is $15 and the venue says payment is credit, debit or mobile tap-to-pay only. Quest’s attendee page says all exhibits and activities are at 2005 Valley Ave. in Pleasanton. (alamedacountyfair.com; quest-science.org) The program page says drivers should use Gate 12 at 2005 Valley Ave., while people arriving on foot or by bike can use the Yellow Gate at 4601 Pleasanton Ave. The same page says parked vehicles do not have in-and-out privileges. (quest-science.org) For visitors, the pitch is simple: show up Saturday, try the exhibits and see how local schools, transit agencies and tech groups are turning science lessons into something people can touch. (kqed.org; quest-science.org)