Madera District Fair

What Madera District Fair does

Madera District Fair is a California state agency operating under the legal entity 21A District Agricultural Association, established in 1937 and self-funded through its own revenue generation (no tax money). The organization manages a 116-acre fairgrounds property at 1850 West Cleveland Ave in Madera, California, and is governed by nine community volunteers appointed by the Governor of California. Its core product is the annual four-day Madera Fair held in September, attracting over 53,000 attendees and featuring carnival rides, concerts, livestock exhibitions, fair food, and vendor booths (25+ food booths, 38+ outdoor vendors, 50+ indoor spaces). Year-round, the fairgrounds operates as a diversified venue and event complex through facility rentals (Hatfield Hall, Home Arts Building, Van Alen Hall, Lumbertown, Outdoor Facilities, Livestock Barns), an RV campground with 35 sites, the Wednesday/Sunday Madera Flea Market with ~400 vendors, and year-round tenants including Madera Speedway (motorsports, nearly 50 years) and Good Times Quarter Midget Club.

Technology infrastructure is built on the Saffire event management and ticketing platform (SaffireTix), which powers online ticket purchasing for fair admission and special experiences such as the Sunrise Ferris Wheel Experience. The organization also operates the Digital Ag Studio, an agricultural education tool funded by a 2020 CalAgPlate grant. Ticketing for specific events is distributed through Eventbrite, RV reservations through Camplife, and vendor applications via CognitoForms. The organization has no public-facing API or AI/ML capabilities.

The business model is multi-streamed: (1) transaction fees from the annual fair (admissions, vendor booth fees ranging $70-$100, carnival revenue), (2) facility rental fees across multiple venues ($1,215-$2,815 per event plus a $4,000 base grounds buyout), (3) RV camping at $65/night, (4) flea market admission and vendor fees, (5) long-term tenant lease income from Madera Speedway, Madera Flea Market, and Good Times Quarter Midget Club, and (6) managed-services revenue from The Commons at Madera Fair, a joint retail partnership with Newman Development Group featuring Lowe's, Petco, Dollar Tree, T-Mobile, GameStop, Grocery Outlet, and Marshalls. Customer segments span general community/families, commercial vendors, event organizers/private party renters, RV campers/travelers, and flea market shoppers/vendors. The organization operates with a lean staff including CEO Barbara Leach (since March 2024 after Tom Mitchell's 16-year tenure), Deputy Manager, Exhibit Representative, two office assistants, and three maintenance staff, supplemented by seasonal fair-time hires.

Name

Madera District Fair

Legal name

21A District Agricultural Association

Website

https://maderafair.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Madera District Fair is a self-funded California state agency operating the annual four-day Madera Fair and a 116-acre year-round fairgrounds venue in Madera County, serving general public attendees, commercial vendors, facility renters, RV campers, and flea market shoppers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fairground and Event Venue Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (72121)

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), Festival, Fair & Event Mobile Concessions (THAFAHAI)

Keywords

• Community fair events
• Event venue rentals
• Agricultural exhibitions
• RV camping resort
• Motorsports facility

Headquarters

HQ city

Madera

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Annual Madera Fair: Primary revenue driver - four-day annual fair in September featuring carnival rides, concerts, livestock exhibitions, fair food, vendor booths (25+ food booths, 38+ outdoor vendor booths, 50+ indoor spaces). Attracts over 53,000 attendees.
2. Facility Rentals: Rental revenue from event halls and venues - Hatfield Hall ($2,815), Home Arts ($1,815), Van Alen Hall ($1,215), Lumbertown ($2,815), Outdoor Facilities, and full grounds buyout ($4,000 base). Includes rental of stages, barns, and amphitheater spaces.
3. RV Camping: 35 RV campsites with full hook-ups and water/electric sites. $65/night. Open year-round except August 1 - September 30. Also offers dump station access for $17.
4. Madera Flea Market: Swap meet operating every Wednesday and Sunday with approximately 400 vendors across 35 acres. Admission $2 for adults, children 12 and under free. Closed during annual Madera Fair in September.
5. Year-round Tenants: Long-term rental agreements with Madera Speedway (motorsports), Madera Flea Market, and Good Times Quarter Midget Racing Association.
6. The Commons at Madera Fair Retail Partnership: Partnership with Newman Development Group providing retail, dining, and service tenants on fairgrounds property. Generates revenue for facility development and upgrades.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Madera District Fair operates a 116-acre fairground that hosts an annual four-day community fair in September drawing more than 53,000 attendees, featuring carnival rides, concerts, livestock exhibitions, vendor booths, and fair food. Year-round, it rents out event halls and outdoor venues (Hatfield Hall, Home Arts, Van Alen Hall, Lumbertown, amphitheater, livestock barns), operates a 35-site RV campground, hosts the Wednesday/Sunday Madera Flea Market across 35 acres, and supports year-round tenants including Madera Speedway and the Good Times Quarter Midget Club. The organization is a California state agency (21A District Agricultural Association) that generates its own revenue without tax funding.

Product overview

Madera District Fair is an annual four-day fair event and year-round event venue operated by the 21A District Agricultural Association. The organization offers a diverse portfolio including the flagship Madera Fair (September 10-13, 2026) with carnival rides, concerts, livestock exhibitions, and food vendors; multiple facility rental options (Hatfield Hall, Home Arts Building, Van Alen Hall, Lumbertown, Outdoor Facilities, and Livestock Barns) for private events; and recurring operations including the Madera Flea Market (Wed/Sun), Madera Speedway racing, and Good Times Quarter Midget Club. Community programs include the READ TO RIDE literacy initiative, Junior Fair Board youth leadership, and Heritage Foundation. The organization generates its $2M annual operating budget through the fair, facility rentals, and tenant agreements without tax funding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Madera Fair (Annual Fair) The annual four-day community fair held in September featuring carnival rides, live entertainment, livestock exhibitions, food vendors, concerts, and community activities. Attracts over 53,000 attendees per year and serves as the organization's flagship event and primary revenue driver.
• Hatfield Hall

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and primary.

• Madera County LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership with Madera County Library for the Read to Ride program encouraging students K-6th grade to read books over summer in exchange for fair ride tickets.
• SkydreamsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Drone show provider for the 2025 Fair's nightly drone show performances with behind-the-scenes guided tour experiences.
• Madera City Parks DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership with Madera City Parks Department for Fair Camp youth programming. Collaborative team brings fair-related activities to Madera's youth for summer programming.
• Madera Flea Market (Jim Wilson)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1987Year-round tenant operating the Madera Flea Market swap meet every Wednesday and Sunday with approximately 400 vendors on 35 acres.
• Valley Children's HealthcareprimaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the Madera Fair. Valley Children's Healthcare logo appears throughout fair marketing materials and is featured on official fair pages. Provided free admission on Valley Children's Healthcare Day at the 2022 fair.
• 21A District Agricultural AssociationcoreOthersThe governing body of the Madera District Fair. Governed by nine community volunteers appointed by the Governor of California.
• Newman Development GroupprimaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Commons at Madera Fair partnership providing retail, dining, and service hub. Includes Lowe's, Petco, Dollar Tree, T-Mobile, GameStop, Grocery Outlet, Marshalls, and food tenants. This partnership has provided needed revenue for future development and upgrades.
• Midway of FunminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarnival/ride operator partnership for the Read to Ride program providing single ride tickets to participating students.
• Madera Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPomegranate Festival presented by Madera Chamber of Commerce. Chamber also partners on Business Extravaganza events at the fairgrounds.
• Comité Guelaguetza MaderaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partnership for Taste of Oaxaca event celebrating Oaxacan traditions and vibrant culture at the Madera Fair.
• Greater Madera KiwanisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization hosting the 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular at the fairgrounds. Free community event with food, games, and live music.
• NOS ProductionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEvent promoter for the Spring Fling VW Show - the West Coast's largest VW car show and swap meet held annually at Madera Fair.
• M&M ProductionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEvent promoter for Raider Nation Xplosion - a family entertainment event featuring live music, food, collectibles, and characters.
• Madera Speedway (Kenny Shepherd)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYear-round tenant operating Madera Speedway (nearly 50 years of racing) at the fairgrounds. Operated by President and GM Kenny Shepherd.
• Good Times Quarter Midget ClubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYear-round tenant providing youth racing program teaching handling of mechanical devices, coordination, and sportsmanship for families.
• SaffirecoreTechnology or IntegrationEvent management and ticketing platform powering the Madera Fair website, online ticket sales (SaffireTix), and venue management system.
• Madera CountycoreOthersLocal government entity. The fairgrounds are located in and serve Madera County, California. Partnership on community events and services.
• Heritage FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit support organization providing funding for projects, equipment, and improvements for the Madera District Fair. Mission to bring community and businesses together promoting family entertainment and historical heritage.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• National Western Stock Show: Major livestock exhibition and rodeo held annually in Denver with year-round facility operations. Similar agricultural fair roots, livestock exhibition focus, and heritage-based positioning, though at significantly larger scale.
• Eastern States Exposition (The Big E): Largest agricultural fair in the Northeast operated by a nonprofit on a similar event-driven, multi-tenant fairgrounds model. Comparable in operating a major annual exposition plus year-round facility rentals, though larger in scale and geographic footprint.
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: One of the largest livestock shows and rodeos in the world, held annually at NRG Park in Houston. Comparable event-driven revenue model with carnival elements, concerts, and livestock exhibitions, though at much greater scale.

Regional players

• Cow Palace: California fairgrounds venue in Daly City operating under a Joint Powers Authority. Similar California fairgrounds business with annual exhibitions, facility rentals, and motorsports tenants (including races), but serves Bay Area market rather than Central Valley.

Direct peers

• The Big Fresno Fair: Operated by the 21st District Agricultural Association, this is the largest fair in the Central Valley and the closest geographic peer. Both are California DAAs running annual fairs with year-round facility rentals, similar governance structures, and overlapping target audiences in the San Joaquin Valley.
• Merced County Fair: 35th District Agricultural Association in Merced, California. Direct DAA peer with the same governance structure, similar annual fair format, and overlapping San Joaquin Valley market.
• Stanislaus County Fair: Operated by the 38th District Agricultural Association in Turlock, California. Comparable Central Valley DAA fair with annual fair operations, facility rentals, RV camping, and motorsports tenant relationships.
• Kern County Fair: 15th District Agricultural Association in Bakersfield, California. Another California DAA fair with comparable scale, fair programming, and facility rental business model in the southern Central Valley.
• California Exposition (Cal Expo State Fair): California's official state fair operated by a state agency in Sacramento. Same regulatory structure (state-managed fair), similar business model combining annual fair events with year-round facility rentals and commercial partnerships.
• Tulare County Fair: Operated by the 24th District Agricultural Association in nearby Tulare County, California. Directly comparable as a regional Central Valley agricultural fair with similar livestock exhibitions, carnival operations, and community focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MaderaFair
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3FlMBBQ3fHp6zl0uGMklig
• Facebookfacebook.com/maderafair
• Instagraminstagram.com/maderafair
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/madera-district-fair

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Madera District Fair