Kern County Fair
The Kern County Fair, operated by California's 15th District Agricultural Association, runs a 12-day annual fair and year-round event center on 168 acres in Bakersfield, serving 350,000+ attendees, corporate sponsors, vendors, and 4-H/FFA youth exhibitors through facility rentals, concerts, livestock shows, and educational programming.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1916
- HeadquartersBakersfield, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Kern County Fair does
The Kern County Fair is operated by the 15th District Agricultural Association, a California state agency, and provides a year-round event center on a 168-acre property at 1142 South P Street in Bakersfield, California. Its flagship product is a 12-day annual fair (late September through early October) drawing 350,000+ attendees, featuring agricultural exhibitions, livestock shows, competitive exhibits, concerts at the Budweiser Pavilion, and carnival attractions. Year-round, the facility generates revenue through indoor and outdoor venue rentals (capacities from 50 to 3,700), the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon Concert Series, weekly swap meet operations, jackpot livestock shows (Pacific Coast, Harvest Moon, Holiday Classic), the junior livestock auction, KC's Farm educational programming, and a sponsorship program with 40+ corporate partners across tiered barn sponsorships and naming rights. The underlying technology stack is powered by Saffire for ticketing, with ShoWorks managing livestock entries, FairWire handling auction registrations, and EventHub processing vendor applications.
The entity's revenue streams are diversified across one-time ticket sales (adults $15, seniors $10, children 6-12 $6, with military free), multi-year sponsorship contracts ($25-$5,000+ per item), facility rental fees, vendor/concession transaction fees, and livestock auction proceeds. Distribution occurs through the official Saffire-powered website, Sully's discount retail outlets, on-site box office, and direct office sales (661-833-4900). Marketing leverages Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, email, SMS, and earned media. The organization is governed by a board of directors appointed by the Governor of California and is currently undergoing leadership transition, with CEO Michael Olcott retired in January 2026 and a new CEO appointed in June 2026, alongside a new Board Chair (NaTesha Johnson) appointed March 2026.
Kern County Fair firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kern County Fair
- Legal name
- 15th District Agricultural Association
- Website
- https://kerncountyfair.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1916
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- The Kern County Fair, operated by California's 15th District Agricultural Association, runs a 12-day annual fair and year-round event center on 168 acres in Bakersfield, serving 350,000+ attendees, corporate sponsors, vendors, and 4-H/FFA youth exhibitors through facility rentals, concerts, livestock shows, and educational programming.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Kern County Fair is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bakersfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kern County Fair business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Event Tickets: Admission tickets to the annual Kern County Fair sold online through website and at physical outlets, as well as concert/event add-ons.
- Sponsorships: Annual sponsorships from local and regional businesses including tiered barn sponsorships (Gold $2,500, Silver $1,500, Bronze), buckle sponsors, award sponsors, and species sponsors ranging from $25-$5,000.
- Facility Rentals: Year-round rental income from 168-acre event center including indoor venues (Buildings 1-4, Harvest Hall, Sales Pavilion), outdoor venues (Budweiser Pavilion, 805 Grandstand, Jimmy Rogers Arena, carnival lot, Bolthouse Courtyard, Main Plaza, open grounds), and livestock facilities.
- Vendor and Concession Fees: Fees collected from commercial vendors, concessionaires, and independent exhibitors at the fair and year-round events.
- Swap Meet Operations: Weekly swap meet operating fees from vendors at Union Avenue Parking lot, with different pricing for Tuesday ($1.50), Saturday ($1.75), Sunday ($2.50), and Friday nights.
- Junior Livestock Auction: Auction sales of market livestock (beef, goats, lambs, hogs, rabbits, poultry) from junior exhibitors, supporting youth agricultural education programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 2025 Fair Admission - Adults |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 2025 Fair Admission - Seniors |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 2025 Fair Admission - Children |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Military Admission |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Parking |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Swap Meet - Tuesday |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Swap Meet - Friday Night |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Swap Meet - Weekend |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pacific Coast Livestock Show |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Buckle Sponsor |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Award Sponsor |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Grand Champion Banner Sponsor |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Champion Banner Sponsor |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Gold Barn Sponsor |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Silver Barn Sponsor |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Bronze Barn Sponsor |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Species Sponsor |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Kern County Fair product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Kern County Fair operates an annual multi-day agricultural fair featuring livestock exhibitions, competitive exhibits, carnival rides, live entertainment, and food concessions on its fairgrounds in Bakersfield, California. The fairgrounds also function as a year-round event and meeting venue, hosting third-party events, trade shows, and private rentals operated by the 15th District Agricultural Association.
Product overview
The Kern County Fair operates as a 15th District Agricultural Association providing a year-round event and entertainment venue centered on its annual Kern County Fair event. The core offering is the annual 12-day fair (September 23 - October 4, 2026) featuring agricultural exhibitions, livestock shows, competitive exhibits, and concerts. Year-round operations include facility rentals across 168 acres with multiple indoor and outdoor venues, ongoing livestock programs (jackpot shows, junior auction), swap meets, and KC's Farm educational experience. The fairgrounds hosts events from small gatherings of 50 to large celebrations exceeding 3,000 attendees, with venues including the Budweiser Pavilion, 805 Grandstand, Buildings 1-4, Harvest Hall, and Jimmy Rogers Arena. The platform is powered by Saffire technology with integrated entry systems (ShoWorks, FairWire) and vendor management (EventHub).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 350,000+ annual attendees
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Kern County Fair
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Kern County Fair technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Kern County Fair partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Sullivan SupplycoreTriple Crown Points Series presenting sponsor - livestock supply company providing prize credits and awards for the three-show livestock exhibition series
- AgWest Farm Creditminor2025 Fair Sponsor - agricultural financial services provider supporting the Kern County Fair
- Bakersfield Family Medical Groupminor2025 Fair Sponsor - healthcare provider supporting the fair as a community event
- Berchtold Equipment Co.minor2025 Fair Sponsor - equipment company supporting the fair
- Boot Barnminor2025 Fair Sponsor - western apparel retailer
- BudweisercoreBudweiser Pavilion naming rights sponsor - major outdoor concert venue branding partner
- CA Lotteryminor2025 Fair Sponsor - California state lottery
- Cal Transminor2025 Fair Sponsor - California Department of Transportation
- California Resources Corporationminor2025 Fair Sponsor - energy company
- Dignity Healthminor2025 Fair Sponsor - healthcare system
- Eagle Mountain Casinominor2025 Fair Sponsor - tribal casino
- Friends of the Kern County FaircoreNonprofit organization supporting the Kern County Fair through advocacy and fundraising
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino TejoncoreHard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon Concert Series sponsor - presenting sponsor of 2026 Budweiser Pavilion concert lineup
- Valley Children's Health Careminor2025 Fair Sponsor - children's healthcare provider
- Jim Burke Fordminor2025 Fair Sponsor - automotive dealership
- Three-Way Chevroletminor2025 Fair Sponsor - automotive dealership
- Pepsiminor2025 Fair Sponsor - beverage company
- Modelominor2025 Fair Sponsor - beer brand
- Coors Lightminor2025 Fair Sponsor - beer brand
- DoubleTree by Hilton BakersfieldminorPreferred hotel partner for fair attendees - located at 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, Bakersfield with special rate code for fair visitors
- Kern County Public Worksminor2025 Fair Sponsor - county government agency
- Kern Family Health Careminor2025 Fair Sponsor - healthcare provider
- Water Association of Kern Countyminor2025 Fair Sponsor - water resource association
- US Air Forceminor2025 Fair Sponsor - military branch recruiting presence
- US Armyminor2025 Fair Sponsor - military branch recruiting presence
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Kern County Fair competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Kern County Fair social profiles
Digital presenceKern County Fair financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kern County Fair leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Kern County Fair funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kern County Fair M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kern County Fair
What does Kern County Fair do?
The Kern County Fair operates an annual multi-day agricultural fair featuring livestock exhibitions, competitive exhibits, carnival rides, live entertainment, and food concessions on its fairgrounds in Bakersfield, California. The fairgrounds also function as a year-round event and meeting venue, hosting third-party events, trade shows, and private rentals operated by the 15th District Agricultural Association.
Is Kern County Fair a public or private company?
Kern County Fair is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Kern County Fair founded?
Kern County Fair was founded in 1916. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Kern County Fair based?
Kern County Fair is headquartered in Bakersfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kern County Fair make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Event Tickets are the primary driver. The others are sponsorships, facility Rentals, vendor and Concession Fees, swap Meet Operations and junior Livestock Auction.
Does Kern County Fair have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kern County Fair.