Stanislaus County Fair

What Stanislaus County Fair does

The Stanislaus County Fair is a quasi-governmental agricultural fair and venue-management organization operated by the 38th District Agricultural Association (38th DAA), a California state agency chartered in 1935 and governed by a Governor-appointed Board of Directors. Headquartered at a 89-acre fairgrounds at 900 N Broadway in Turlock, California, the organization runs an annual 10-day fair (scheduled July 10-19, 2026) featuring entertainment, livestock exhibitions, competitive exhibits, carnival rides, and youth development programs through 4-H, FFA, and Grange. Its history traces to the 1911 Turlock Melon Carnival, and the property's Arch Gate was designated a California State Point of Historical Interest in 1999. Record attendance reached 261,089 in 1989, with over 245,000 visitors at the 2011 centennial.

The organization monetizes through seven primary revenue streams: per-attendee admission ($15 adults, $7 seniors/children 6-12), carnival Pay-One-Price wristbands ($40 weekday, $45 weekend), concessions and vendor space rentals, corporate sponsorships (Chicken Ranch Casino Resort, Oak Valley Community Bank, Food Maxx, Valley Wide Beverage, Ridge Hill Maple Products, 104.1 the Hawk), the 62nd annual Junior Livestock Auction, and year-round facility rentals covering a 4,413-seat arena, four exhibit buildings, livestock barns, the Floriculture Area, RV camping, and a new LED digital sign at Golden State Blvd and Fulkerth Road. Supporting products include the official Stan Co Fair mobile app (iOS/Android), marketing packages for event organizers, and a JLA Drive-Thru Dinner Fundraiser.

The Fair's operating model blends event-driven direct-to-consumer sales (online ticketing via etix.com and at-gate purchases) with a year-round B2B rental business coordinated through a dedicated Event Rentals Manager. Distribution is regional (Stanislaus County and Central Valley), and the organization's primary technology surface is a content/marketing mobile app rather than proprietary software. The 38th DAA is self-supporting, receiving only partial funding from California AB 1499, and operates with 11-50 full-time year-round staff supplemented by seasonal labor, community volunteers, and a Junior Fair Board youth leadership program.

Name

Stanislaus County Fair

Legal name

Stanislaus County Fairgrounds - 38th DAA

Website

https://stancofair.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Stanislaus County Fair is a California state-chartered agricultural fair (38th DAA) operating a 10-day annual event and year-round facility rentals from an 89-acre fairgrounds in Turlock, serving Central Valley families, event renters, youth exhibitors, and corporate sponsors since 1911.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Fair and Event Venue Services

NAICS

Amusement and Theme Parks (71311)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Community & Multi-Category Fairs (MPAGAFAO), Family, Kids & Education Fairs (MPAGAFAH), Amusement Parks (Regional/Local Ride Parks & Funfairs) (THAJAEAD)

Keywords

• Agricultural fair events
• Facility rentals
• Livestock exhibitions
• Community entertainment
• Carnival operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Turlock

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Admission Tickets: Adult admission $15, Seniors/Children (6-12) $7, Children 5 and under free. Pre-sale tickets available online with prices increasing at Fair opening.
2. Carnival Rides: Carnival Pay One Price wristbands: $40 weekdays, $45 weekends. Revenue from carnival ride operations during 10-day Fair.
3. Facility Rentals: Year-round rental of exhibit buildings (E-1, E-2, E-3, E-5), arena, livestock facilities, grounds, and Floriculture Area. Arena rental $5,500/day. Buildings range from $800-$1,650/day.
4. RV Camping: Daily RV space rental at fairgrounds, closed during Fair period (June 19-July 31).
5. Concessions and Vendors: Vendor and concession space rental for Fair vendors, food vendors, and commercial exhibitors.
6. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships including naming rights, signage, digital/social media exposure. Current sponsors include Chicken Ranch Casino Resort, Oak Valley Community Bank, Food Maxx, Valley Wide Beverage, and 104.1 the Hawk.
7. Junior Livestock Auction: Annual auction of market animals (beef, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep, swine) raised by youth exhibitors. 58th Replacement Heifer Sale, 62nd Market Beef Sale, 62nd Junior Livestock Auctions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Stanislaus County Fair operates an annual 10-day agricultural fair (July 10-19, 2026) featuring entertainment, livestock exhibitions, competitive exhibits, carnival rides, concerts, and community celebrations. The organization complements this with year-round facility rentals of exhibit buildings, arena, livestock buildings, grounds, RV camping, and LED sign advertising for events, weddings, corporate functions, and community gatherings. Additional offerings include the Junior Livestock Auctions program supporting 4-H/FFA/Grange youth and the official Stan Co Fair mobile application for visitor planning.

Product overview

The Stanislaus County Fair operates as a multi-faceted event and facility management organization. Its core product is the annual Stanislaus County Fair (July 10-19, 2026), a 10-day agricultural fair featuring entertainment, livestock exhibitions, competitive exhibits, and carnival attractions. The organization complements this with year-round facility rental services including exhibit buildings (E-1 through E-5), arena rentals, livestock buildings, grounds rentals, RV camping, and LED sign advertising. Supporting products include the Stan Co Fair App for visitor planning, Junior Livestock Auctions supporting youth exhibitors, marketing packages, and special events like the JLA Drive-Thru Dinner Fundraiser. The portfolio functions as an integrated venue and event management operation serving both seasonal fair attendees and year-round renters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stanislaus County Fair Event Annual 10-day agricultural fair held in July featuring entertainment, livestock exhibitions, competitive exhibits, carnival rides, concerts, and community celebrations for families and the general public in Stanislaus County and the Central Valley region.
• Facility Rentals Year-round rental of fairgrounds facilities including exhibit buildings (E-1, E-2, E-3, E-5), arena, livestock buildings, grounds, RV camping, and LED sign rental for events, weddings, corporate functions, and community gatherings.
• Stan Co Fair App Official mobile application for iOS and Android providing schedules, interactive maps, entertainment listings, food vendor tracking, ticket purchasing, real-time updates, Kids Club scavenger hunt, and photo booth features.
• Junior Livestock Auctions Annual auction program supporting local youth in 4-H, FFA, and Grange through market animal sales including beef, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep, and swine with custom purchase, resale, and add-on contribution options.
• Marketing Options LED board and social media advertising packages for events held at the fairgrounds, including graphic design, Facebook and Instagram posts, and calendar event creation.
• RV Camping Daily RV space rental at the fairgrounds with full hookups, subject to availability. Closed during the annual fair period (June 19 - July 31).
• LED Sign Rental High-visibility LED digital sign rental at Golden State Blvd and Fulkerth Road for event promotion, sponsor recognition, and community announcements.
• Arena Rentals Outdoor arena venue with 4,413 total seating capacity (2,300 reserved grandstands, 374 box seats, 922 side bleachers, 817 east bleachers) for concerts, rodeos, motorsports, monster trucks, and community events.
• Exhibit Buildings (E-1, E-2, E-3, E-5) Indoor venue rentals including E-1 (14,800 sq ft, 900 dining capacity), E-2 (14,788 sq ft with commercial kitchen, 900 dining), E-3 (1,950 sq ft with kitchen), and E-5 (5,500 sq ft, 300 dining) for banquets, meetings, trade shows, and community events.
• JLA Drive-Thru Dinner Fundraiser Annual livestock department fundraiser featuring drive-thru dinner service to support exhibitor awards, scholarships, and merit awards.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• American Legion Post 88coreOthersVeterans service organization dedicated to supporting veterans, military families, and community programs. Long-standing partnership with the fair dating to fair's origins. Helps strengthen patriotism and promote community well-being through volunteerism.
• Turlock Lions ClubcoreOthersPart of Lions Clubs International, one of the world's largest service organizations. Supports local community service, vision care, youth services, hunger relief, and disaster assistance. Benefits from parking fee revenue at fair.
• Ceres Lions ClubcoreOthersLocal Lions Club chapter serving Ceres community. Community service organization providing hands-on service, leadership, and commitment to helping others through volunteerism and charitable outreach.
• VFW Auxiliary Post 5059minorOthersVeterans of Foreign Wars auxiliary organization committed to assisting worthy comrades, preserving history of American war dead, and maintaining allegiance to the Constitution and laws.
• Kiwanis Club of Greater TurlockminorOthersService organization dedicated to improving lives of children and families in the community. Supports youth leadership programs, education, arts, athletics, and inclusive opportunities.
• Arrowhead Club of TurlockminorOthersCommunity service organization supporting youth athletics and promoting good sportsmanship, health, teamwork, and self-confidence. Helps empower young people through volunteer efforts.
• Rotary Club of TurlockminorOthersGlobal service organization bringing together business, professional, and community leaders committed to service above self. Promotes integrity, goodwill, and positive change through local and international projects.
• Friends of the Fair FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization (Tax ID: 27-3822037) enhancing opportunities at fairgrounds for community, agriculture, education, and youth. Raises funds for facility improvements, exhibitor support, and educational programs. Membership levels: Corporate ($2,000), Platinum ($1,500), Diamond ($750), Volunteer.
• Chicken Ranch Casino ResortmajorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Fair sponsor providing financial and marketing support in exchange for brand visibility and association with the regional fair event.
• Oak Valley Community BankmajorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Fair sponsor and Foundation leadership partner (Jamie Tavares serves as VP/Branch Manager). Provides financial sponsorship and community investment.
• Ridge Hill Maple ProductsminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Fair sponsor and sponsor of Ridge Hill Maple Kids Zone entertainment area. Local food product business supporting fair activities.
• Food MaxxmajorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Fair sponsor and sponsor of FoodMaxx Arena venue. Regional grocery chain providing significant sponsorship and marketing partnership.
• Valley Wide BeverageminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Fair sponsor - beverage distribution company providing sponsorship support for fair events and activities.
• 104.1 the HawkminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Fair sponsor - local radio station providing media partnership and marketing exposure through broadcast advertising and event promotion.
• Turlock Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization hosting July 3rd Independence Day Festival & Fireworks Show at fairgrounds venue. Presents event with Turlock Downtown Property Owners' Association.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ventura County Fair: Ventura's regional agricultural fair with livestock shows, carnival, and entertainment programming. Comparable as a California county fair with similar product mix (admission, carnival wristbands, livestock auction, facility rentals), but operates in a different Southern California geography.
• Alameda County Fair: Pleasanton's annual Alameda County Fair, one of California's larger regional fairs with a strong carnival, livestock, and concert program plus year-round racing and event rentals. Directly comparable as a multi-day agricultural fair with similar pricing structure and family entertainment positioning.
• Merced County Fair: Merced's annual fair in the neighboring Central Valley county. Closely comparable in size, audience (Central Valley families), governance model, and event format (livestock, junior auction, carnival, competitive exhibits), and competes directly for regional attendance and sponsor dollars.
• Mother Lode Fairgrounds: Tuolumne County's fair and event venue in Sonora, CA. Comparable as a Central Valley/Sierra foothill county fair with annual livestock shows, carnival, competitive exhibits, and year-round facility rentals serving a similarly regional audience.
• OC Fair & Event Center: Orange County's annual fair and year-round event venue in Costa Mesa, CA. Comparable product mix (annual fair with carnival, livestock, concerts, plus extensive year-round facility rentals) but a substantially larger Southern California operation that serves as an aspirational scale benchmark for year-round venue monetization.
• San Joaquin County Fair: Stockton's regional county fair, operated by the 2nd District Agricultural Association in the neighboring Central Valley. Highly comparable in scale, governance model (California DAA), event format (livestock, carnival, competitive exhibits, junior auction), and target audience, making it a direct competitor for Stanislaus County families and sponsors.
• The Big Fresno Fair: Fresno's annual 12-day agricultural fair operated by the 21st District Agricultural Association. Closest comparable in size, geography (Central Valley), event format (livestock, carnival, concerts, motorsports), and 4-H/FFA youth programming, making it the most directly competitive peer for Stanislaus attendees and sponsors.
• Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee: Angels Camp's smaller regional fair featuring the famous Jumping Frog Jubilee. Comparable as a California DAA-governed county fair with livestock, carnival, competitive exhibits, and junior auction, but at a smaller scale and more niche identity than Stanislaus.

Broad incumbents

• California Exposition & State Fair (Cal Expo): The state-level California fair held annually at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Comparable as a California DAA-governed agricultural fair with livestock shows, carnival, entertainment, and year-round facility rentals, but at a larger scale and broader geographic draw than Stanislaus's regional Central Valley footprint.

Regional players

• Cow Palace Arena & Event Center: Daly City's historic indoor arena and event venue hosting concerts, rodeos, expos, and livestock shows. Comparable as a regional fair-style venue with arena rentals and event programming, but operates primarily as a year-round event venue rather than a single annual fair.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/stancofair
• YouTubeyoutube.com/StanislausFair
• Facebookfacebook.com/stancofair
• Instagraminstagram.com/stancofair
• TikToktiktok.com/@stancofair
• Pinterestpinterest.com/stancofair
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stanislaus-county-fair

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stanislaus County Fair