Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation

08/21/2026

Unlock the doors to our fairgrounds vibrant past at the free Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation Exhibit, now open! Be inspired by the remarkable stories that have shaped our valley's history over 80+ years. Discover the roots of your community, and share your own Fairgrounds story with us! You still have the chance to experience it live at the 82nd Annual County Fair, running through Sunday, August 23. For fair information and tickets, https://thefair.org/

2026 Heritage Exhibit.

08/21/2026

Join us at Heritage Hall at 2:00pm on Sat Aug 22 for a fascinating presentation looking at the Fairgrounds Motorsports History, led by esteemed local historian Dennis Mattish. At 2:00pm on Sun Aug 23 Dan Orloff, Chief Rock Officer of San Jose Rocks will give a presentation on the Fairgrounds Music and Concert History. These informative sessions are free and open to the public during the 82nd Annual County Fair. Dennis and Dan possess extensive knowledge of these two significant aspects of the fairgrounds story and history. They will showcase items from their personal collection and present an informative slide show. There will be plenty of time for stories and Q&A. The Cheery Farmer says "Hi Neighbor, See you at the Fair"

08/21/2026

Thank you Supervisor Betty Duong for your support of the fairgrounds and Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation

08/21/2026

08/20/2026

History San José is proud to be exhibiting at the Santa Clara County fair! Visit Heritage Hall to see a 1952 Farmall Cub tractor from the Sakauye Family Collection.

The tractor was used at the Sakauye Family Farm, originally located at the crossroads of Seely Avenue and Montague Expressway. The land was purchased by Yuwakichi Sakauye in 1907, just before the 1913 Alien Land Act outlawed Asian ownership or leasing of agricultural land. Later, during WWII, the Sakauye family was able to retain their land despite their forced incarceration at Heart Mountain Concentration Camp, thanks to the stewardship of their close friends and neighbors, the Seely family. After WWII, the Sakauye Family farmed their land through the 1980s.

To see the tractor, a piece of Santa Clara Valley agricultural history, visit the Santa Clara County Fair from August 19-23 at 344 Tullly Road in San Jose!



Citations:
https://www.kqed.org/news/11999500/historic-japanese-american-family-farm-is-about-to-fade-into-much-needed-housing-in-san-jose
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/executive-order-9066"

08/20/2026

Join us today at 4:00pm in Heritage Hall for an unforgettable Miss Santa Clara County, Youth Focus, and Royal Court Meet and Greet! Meet Kathy Esteves Bates, Miss Santa Clara County 1976, and others to reignite the spark within! Dust off your crown, pins, medals, and sashes and photo albums. Bring those items with your friends and family to share stories, rekindle lifelong friendships, and be inspired by the incredible journeys of others! 💫

08/14/2026

Join us in celebrating the rich history of the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds at Heritage Hall during the 2026 Fair, August 19-23. Don't miss special events featuring local historians and community leaders. Support our efforts to preserve this history through sponsorship opportunities starting at $100. Together, we can keep our local traditions alive.

Email from Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation of Santa Clara County Special Guests, Local History and Fair Fun Await     Hi Neighbor! Summer Update! August 2026 The Fair is "Fired Up and Hare to Stay!" T

08/10/2026

Get ready to be inspired! 🌟 Last week was a whirlwind of creativity and innovation as we prepared for the Heritage Exhibit during the annual Santa Clara County Fair, Aug 19-23, 2026. We're thrilled to unveil our revamped exhibit, featuring fresh displays, new themes, and a bold new layout that's sure to spark imagination and curiosity. We're also honored to showcase remarkable artifacts on loan from San Jose Fire Museum and History SJ. Join us to explore 80+ years of fairgrounds history, relive cherished memories, and share your own story with a Heritage Ambassador. See you there!

08/07/2026

Get ready to rev up your passion for motorsports history! 🏎️

Join us at Heritage Hall on Sat., Aug. 22, 2026, at 2:00 as local author, photographer, and historian Dennis Mattish takes us on a thrilling journey through the Fairgrounds' rich racing heritage. With his incredible photography and insider knowledge, Dennis will inspire us to appreciate the power of our collective history. Bring your questions and get ready to be motivated!

Invite your fairgrounds raceway family and friends to join the excitement at the 2026 County Fair! To purchase fair tickets, visit https://thefair.org/ticketing/. 🎟️

08/04/2026

👑 A Royal Reunion Awaits! 👑

Calling all former Miss Santa Clara County titleholders, Royal Court members, and Youth Focus participants! Join the Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation for an afternoon of storytelling, nostalgia, and celebrating the legacy of the Court. Whether you participated in the program or want to chat with past titleholders about their defining experiences, everyone is welcome.

📅 Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Heritage Hall

✨ Special Request: Dust off your tiaras and sashes, and bring your favorite photo albums and memorabilia to share!

🎟️ Tickets & Admission: https://thefair.org/ticketing/
📧 Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

Tag your court family below and join us as we celebrate old memories and make new ones! 👇