California's County Fair Guide: Where To Find The Fun In 2021

San Rafael CA

21 April, 2021

5:15 PM

Description

CALIFORNIA — Don't let this year's fair season pass you by! To reunite Golden State residents with their annual fix of corn dogs, cotton candy, carnival rides, farm critters and blue-ribbon exhibits, California fairgrounds are reconfiguring plans for the county fair season, as health-mandated restrictions ease for the summer of 2021. Roughly two dozen California county fairs abruptly were canceled last year, as coronavirus pandemic-related shutdowns took hold statewide. This year, locales' plans differ by region, and some did cancel, altogether. But some fairground venues are offering "hybrid" - online and in-person - events, with others featuring drive-thru foodie fairs or limited-capacity, "traditional" on-site extravaganzas. Check out our Patch guide to find the "fairest of the fair" near you. Do any merit a mini-road trip? Share your thoughts in the comments section. NOTE: It's s good idea to to double-check with organizers for the latest updates, as events can change. And if you know of other fairs & festivals not included in our guide, share details with fellow Patch readers in comments section. -------------- ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIR: Oct. 22-31, Pleasanton. In-person & on-site for 2021, with traditional dates moved from summertime to fall. ----------- BUTTE COUNTY FAIR: Gridley. Organizers are assembling a "summer of fun." No details yet, but stay tuned & check website for updates. ------------- CALAVERAS COUNTY FAIR: May 13-16, Angels Camp. This year's fair will be a "Back in the Saddle - Homecoming" version, scaled back a bit, but still with the youth parade, frog events, livestock & arena activities. ----------- CALIFORNIA MID-WINTER FAIR: March 4-13, 2022. Imperial. The 2021 event was canceled due to pandemic. Ready ahead for 2022 dates! ----------- CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR: Cal Expo, Sacramento. Plans and dates still pending for 2021 fair & food festival. Stay tuned ... ----------- CLOVERDALE CITRUS FESTIVAL: Feb. 18-21, 2022, Cloverdale. The popular extravaganza is next planned for 2022 in Sonoma County. ------------- CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FAIR: May 13-16, Antioch: Canceled for 2021. ------------ DIXON MAY FAIR: May 6-9, Dixon. "Reconfigured" for 2021 with virtual competitive exhibits. ------------ EL DORADO COUNTY FAIR: Sept. 23-26, Placerville. This year's theme: "Stars and Stirrups." Follow website for details. ------------ FRESNO COUNTY FAIR: Fresno. The "Big Fresno Fair" was held in April with "Drive-Thru Eats." Tune in here for more info going forward. ------------- HUMBOLDT COUNTY FAIR: Aug. 18-29, Ferndale. Tentative hopes are for a full fair with carnival rides, livestock, horse racing & exhibits. This year's theme: "County Fair with a Western Flair." ---------- KERN COUNTY FAIR: Sept. 22-Oct. 3, Bakersfield. Save the dates! Plans are in the works. --------------- LAKE COUNTY FAIR: Sept. 2-5, Lakeport. Confirm to see if proceeding as originally planned for Labor Day weekend. ------------ LOS ANGELES COUNTY FAIR: Sept. 3-26, Fairplex, Pomona. Canceled for 2021. Modified, smaller version may be held. --------------- MARIN COUNTY FAIR: July 2-4, San Rafael. Mostly virtual for 2021, with in-person, drive-thru food event planned. ---------------- MONTEREY COUNTY FAIR: Sept. 3-6, Monterey. "Fair Fun In 2021": Follow link for updates, as not many details yet released. ------------ NAPA TOWN & COUNTRY FAIR: July 7-11, Expo, Napa. Typically held in August, the fair's dates were moved several months ago to July. Further announcements or updates still pending. ------------ ORANGE COUNTY FAIR: July 16-Aug. 15, Costa Mesa. In-person at the fairgrounds: Food, animals, carnival games, rides, plus blue-ribbon competitions all on tap. Ticket capacity limited each day, so don't delay if interested. ---------- PLACER COUNTY FAIR: June 24-27, Roseville. Plans are in the works. This year's theme: "Mooving Forward Together." ----------- RAMONA COUNTRY FAIR: Ramona. No updates posted yet for 2021. ----------- RIVERSIDE COUNTY FAIR & DATE FESTIVAL: Indio. The 2021 event, set for Feb. 12-21, was canceled. Plans now focused on 2022. ----------- SACRAMENTO COUNTY FAIR: May 2021, Sacramento. The traditional event, typically held around Memorial Weekend, is canceled for 2021, but a livestock grading & husbandry expo is set May 26-31. ------------ SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FAIR: May 29-31 & June 4-6, Victorville. Drive-thru version with food & entertainment. ------------ SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR: June 11- July 4, Del Mar. On-site at the Del Mar fairgrounds: "Get outside for some real-life, in-person and down-home fun." ---------- SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY FAIR: Stockton. Updates not yet announced for 2021. Follow link for news. -------------- SAN MATEO COUNTY FAIR: June 5-13, San Mateo. In-person & such fair faves as animals, pig races, BBQ, funnel cakes, carnival rides & giant Ferris wheel are back. Tickets sales are online with scheduled entry. ----------- SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FAIR: April 28-May 2, Santa Maria. While it appears no definitive decision is yet made on the county fair, a five-day, Strawberry Cruzin' Drive-Thru is planned with food, drinks, free activity books for kids & "car-hop" service. -------------- SANTA CLARA COUNTY FAIR: July 29-31 & Aug. 1, 5-8, San Jose. Drive-thru format: Craving corn dogs, funnel cakes, candy apples & cotton candy? Enjoy two weekends to fill up on favorite fair foods. Advance ticket sales underway. ------------ SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FAIR: April 23-25 & April 30-May 2, Watsonville. Drive-thru food fest planned, featuring gyros, kettle corn, funnel cakes & more. ------------- SILVER DOLLAR FAIR: May 27-30, Chico. A limited-capacity, carnival-type version this year —the Memorial Day Weekend Carnival & Food Festival — with food, rides & traveling shark show. Online ticket sales begin May 3. ------------- SOLANO COUNTY FAIR: JUNE 17-20, Vallejo. Virtual for 2021 with livestock program. Viewing fun & contests planned. ----------- SONOMA COUNTY FAIR: Santa Rosa. Dates are yet to be announced if the 2021 fair will proceed. However, a junior livestock auction/exhibit is planned, either in-person or virtual. ------------ SONOMA-MARIN "HYBRID" FAIR: May 7 - June 27, Petaluma. Mix of in-person and online events. Among onsite activities: the Fair Food Drive-Thru; & Cars, Coffee & Cruise. ------------ VENTURA COUNTY FAIR: Ventura. Canceled for 2021. Next stop: 2022! ------------- WATSONVILLE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Watsonville. No announcement yet for 2021. -------------- YOLO COUNTY FAIR: AUG. 18-22, Woodland. Follow the link to see what events are planned. Few details released to date, but it's happening! ------------ ALSO SEE: Avocado's Time To Shine: New Recipes From CA Chef Brian Malarkey