Community Corner
California's County Fair Guide: Where To Find The Fun In 2021
Can't go another summer without corn dogs & Ferris wheels? Fairgrounds statewide are gearing up — in various venues — for upcoming season.
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.
Find out what's happening in San Rafaelfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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 fairs near you. Do any merit a mini road trip? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Find out what's happening in San Rafaelfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
NOTE: It's a good idea to to double-check with organizers for the latest updates, as events can change. And if you know of other fairs and 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-STATE FAIR: July 21-Aug. 1, Paso Robles. Organizers are planning to host an in-person, on-site extravaganza with "carnival rides, livestock, exhibits, corn dogs, live music and cold beer." Follow the website for updates as dates near.
----------
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."
-----------
PLUMAS SIERRA COUNTY FAIR: Aug. 11-15, Quincy. With a theme of "Celebrating Fair's Past," the event is scheduled — as of now — with entertainment, carnival, camping and staying socially distanced at "one cow apart."
------------
RAMONA COUNTRY FAIR: July 30-Aug. 1, Ramona. Returning with animals, entertainment, demos, rides & more.
-----------
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 & 11-13, Victorville. With rides, 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: JULY 28-AUG. 8, Santa Rosa. Carnival, PRCA Rodeo & Monster Trucks and Destruction Derby all returning.
------------
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
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.