California Fairs Alliance

09/24/2026

JOIN US — EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

You do not have to be a current member of the California Fairs Alliance to attend!

We welcome fair managers and industry professionals from throughout California to join us for three days of learning, networking, collaboration, and connection.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

CEO Orientation to WFA & CFA

Fairgrounds as a Year-Round Business

Public Speaking & Media Training

Surviving a Critical Community

CFA Area Networking Lunch & Board Update

Free Speech at the Fairgrounds

The True Cost of Concessions

Managing Up: Building a Strong CEO–Board Relationship

Budgeting for the Unexpected

Plus, enjoy the Industry Open House, Managers’ Night Out, networking opportunities, and time to reconnect with colleagues from across California.

November 2–4, 2026 | Sacramento, California

Fairgrounds: Everyday Essential — One Place. Every Purpose. All Year Long.

https://www.westernfairs.org/p/attend/fair-managers-conference

09/21/2026

BIG NEWS FOR CALIFORNIA FAIRS!
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed CFA-sponsored AB 1711 into law!
Authored by Assemblymember Damon Connolly, AB 1711 creates greater accountability and transparency for the Fair and Exposition Fund, establishes clear funding-allocation timelines, and expands the critical safety, maintenance, and improvement projects eligible for support.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Assemblymember Connolly and the bill’s coauthors—Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Juan Alanis Jeff Gonzalez, Heather Hadwick, and Esmeralda Soria—for standing with California fairs.
Special thanks also go to CFA’s legislative advocates, Louie Brown and Norm Towne, and every CFA member who advocated, shared their fair’s story, and helped move this legislation across the finish line.
This is a tremendous victory for California’s network of fairs and the communities they serve.
Fairgrounds: Everyday Essential.

09/19/2026

BIG NEWS FOR CALIFORNIA FAIRS!

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed CFA-sponsored AB 1711 into law!

Authored by Assemblymember Damon Connolly, AB 1711 creates greater accountability and transparency for the Fair and Exposition Fund, establishes clear funding-allocation timelines, and expands the critical safety, maintenance, and improvement projects eligible for support.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Assemblymember Connolly and the bill’s coauthors—Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Juan Alanis Jeff Gonzalez, Heather Hadwick, and Esmeralda Soria—for standing with California fairs.

Special thanks also go to CFA’s legislative advocates, Louie Brown and Norm Towne, and every CFA member who advocated, shared their fair’s story, and helped move this legislation across the finish line.

This is a tremendous victory for California’s network of fairs and the communities they serve.

Fairgrounds: Everyday Essential.

09/14/2026

🎡 FAIRS ARE FAMILY FRIENDLY! 🐸❤️

There’s something special about a day at the fair—it’s one of those places where every generation can have fun together!

From little ones seeing farm animals for the first time 🐷🐮, to kids enjoying carnival rides 🎠, teens cheering on their friends, and parents and grandparents sharing traditions they grew up with, fairs bring families together.

At the fair, families can:

🎠 Ride, laugh and make memories together
🐄 Learn about agriculture and meet the animals
🎶 Enjoy live music and entertainment
🍿 Share favorite fair foods
🏆 Cheer on local youth and exhibitors
🎨 Explore exhibits, contests and demonstrations
❤️ Spend quality time together—away from the everyday routine

County fairs are more than rides and funnel cakes. They are about community, tradition, agriculture, education and making memories that can last a lifetime.

Some of the best family stories begin with…

“Remember that time at the fair?” 🎡❤️

🐸 Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee
Where families, traditions and community come together!

09/11/2026

🇺🇸 September 11 — We Remember 🇺🇸

Today, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and the families whose lives were forever changed.

We honor the firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics, dispatchers, military personnel, and everyday citizens who responded with extraordinary courage and compassion.

We also recognize our veterans and service members, whose commitment and sacrifice remind us of the strength found in service to others and to our country.

May we never forget those we lost. May we always remember the bravery of those who ran toward danger to help others. And may we continue to support the veterans and first responders who serve our communities and our nation.

We remember. We honor. We are grateful. 🇺🇸

09/04/2026

🇺🇸 LABOR DAY — HONORING THE PEOPLE WHO BUILT AMERICA 🇺🇸

Labor Day is more than the unofficial end of summer. It is a day set aside to recognize the hard work, dedication and contributions of American workers.

The holiday grew out of the labor movement of the late 1800s, when workers across the country advocated for better wages, reasonable working hours and safer working conditions. The first Labor Day celebration was held in New York City on September 5, 1882, and in 1894, Labor Day became a federal holiday.

Our fairgrounds themselves are a celebration of that spirit. Agriculture, craftsmanship, livestock, industry, food, entertainment and community all come together because of people willing to roll up their sleeves and get the job done.

This Labor Day weekend, we celebrate the hands that build, grow, teach, serve, protect and care for our communities.

To everyone who works hard to make Calaveras County and our country a better place — thank you, and Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

09/01/2026

08/27/2026

🎡 California Fairs: Where Local Talent & Local Business Shine! 🌟

California fairs are more than a few days of fun—they are a showcase for the people, talent, agriculture, and businesses that make our communities special.

From young exhibitors and local artists to musicians, food vendors, small businesses, farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs, fairs provide a place to be seen, build connections, and grow.

When you attend your local fair, you’re supporting your neighbors, celebrating homegrown talent, and helping dollars stay right here in our communities. ❤️

California Fairs: Everyday Essential—supporting local talent, strengthening local businesses, and bringing communities together.

08/26/2026

🎡 CALIFORNIA FAIRS, EVERYDAY ESSENTIAL TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY! 🐸

County fairs are more than a few days of fun each year—they are economic engines for our communities.

When people attend a fair, the impact reaches far beyond the fairgrounds. Visitors stay in local hotels, eat at restaurants, shop in our stores, purchase fuel, hire local services, and support businesses throughout the region.

Fairs also create jobs, provide opportunities for local vendors and nonprofits, showcase agriculture, support youth programs, and bring thousands of visitors into our communities.

When you support your local fair, you're supporting local jobs, local businesses, agriculture, tourism, and your community.

🐸🎡 California Fairs, Everyday Essential.

08/24/2026

CALIFORNIA FAIRS: EVERYDAY ESSENTIAL 💙🎡

California fairs are more than a few days of rides, livestock shows, exhibits, and family fun each year. Fairgrounds are Everyday Essential.

They are places where communities celebrate together—and come together when it matters most.

Throughout California, fairgrounds serve their communities year-round as:

🐴 Emergency livestock evacuation centers
🔥 Fire camps and emergency response hubs
🏠 Temporary shelter for displaced residents
🚒 Staging areas for firefighters and first responders
🤝 Gathering places for community organizations
🌾 Homes for agriculture, youth programs, 4-H and FFA
🎓 Places where young people learn leadership, responsibility, and hard work
🎡 And, of course, places where generations of families make memories together

Recent wildfire response efforts have once again reminded us just how important California's network of fairgrounds is. When disaster strikes, the same barns that house fair animals can shelter evacuated livestock. The same grounds that welcome families can support emergency crews and displaced neighbors.

California fairs don't just serve their communities during fair week. We serve them every day.

That's what it means to be EVERYDAY ESSENTIAL.

💙 Proud to be part of California's fair industry.