Pleasanton, Calif. – The Fair is a 108-year old tradition for nearly a half million people in the community and signals the start of summer. Due to the Alameda County Public Health Department current shelter-at-home order and the State of California’s order with no expiration date, the 2020 Fair has been canceled due to the COVID-19 public health crisis.
Following the California Roadmap to Recovery, mass gatherings such as County Fairs, are going to be one of the last things allowed by the state, and events such as a County Fair will not be permitted until Stage 4 of the Roadmap is complete and the shelter-at-home order ends.
“The Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association has actively been following state and county officials in an effort to comply with public health mandates,” stated Fair CEO Jerome Hoban. “The health and safety of guests, staff, and partners continues to be our number one priority, our team is updating protocols and guidelines so that when allowed, we can safely welcome the community back to the venue.”
The 18-day Fair, previously scheduled June 19 – July 12, is the largest event in Alameda County. The Fairgrounds is also home to nearly 300 year-round events. The venue brings a significant economic impact to the region with more than $32 million in revenue generated locally as well as nearly 900 additional jobs during Fair. The event also increases local business such as hotels, restaurants, and shopping.
“As much as we love putting on the Fair and bringing the community together, it is clear that it is best to postpone Fair this year, we will celebrate together again in 2021,” stated Board President, Gordon Galvan. “Canceling the Fair is devastating to our team and partners who come from across the country to entertain the Alameda County community.”
Although the Fair is canceled, Alameda County Fair continues to work on making live Horse Racing, Contests and the Jr. Livestock Auction available this summer, while following mandates set by the state and county.
- Live Horse Racing may occur without spectators
- Competitive Exhibits and Contests will continue virtually, for categories and more information visit: alamedacountyfair.com
- Virtual Livestock Show and Auction, for more information visit: alamedacountyfair.com
Information on refunds is available at: alamedacountyfair.com
Looking ahead to the Fall, the Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association is exploring the idea of hosting a community celebration in October should conditions allow.
Currently, the Alameda County Fairgrounds is participating in a regional partnership with Stanford Health Care – ValleyCare (SHC – VC) and the Cities of Pleasanton, Dublin, and Livermore as a regional drive-through testing site and we stand ready to support additional COVID-19 efforts for our community.
The Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association, a 501c3 non-profit organization, produces the annual Alameda County Fair without any tax funding from the government. It is ranked one of the top 50 North American Fairs and the 7th largest fair in California. International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) named the Alameda County Fair a Top 100 Fair. The Fairgrounds is home to the Oldest One-Mile Race Track in America.
2 comments
For the first time in this lockdown I am really ticked! No racing, no cheesy exhibitors selling me junk I don’t need, no Asian massage people to pummel me in the massage chair, no frosty cone, and no roasted corn-on-the-cob! SOMEone needs to DO something! Oh….the HUMANITY
No $12 beers! What will we do?? ?
And thank goodness they finally stopped letting the bums from over the hill who were using the place as they’re all day camp ground, selfishly hogging all the space!
See it next year!
Comments are closed.