Silver Dollar Fair

What Silver Dollar Fair does

Silver Dollar Fair is a nonprofit 3rd District Agricultural Association operating a 60-acre state-owned fairgrounds at 2357 Fair Street in Chico, California. The organization produces an annual 5-day fair (May 21-25, 2026 in the upcoming cycle) featuring carnival rides by Butler Amusements, junior livestock exhibitions, grandstand auto racing through its wholly-owned Silver Dollar Speedway subsidiary, free concerts at the new Redwood Amphitheatre, and a broad vendor marketplace. Beyond the annual fair, the fairgrounds rents indoor venues (Commercial Building at 14,000 sq ft, Jack Vanella Hall at 11,200 sq ft, Harvest Hall at 4,000 sq ft), outdoor spaces (Carnival Lot, Pavilion, Livestock Barns), grandstands with 4,000-seat capacity, and RV spaces for private and public events accommodating groups of 50 to over 3,000 attendees. The organization operates with a Board of Directors governance structure (President Cindy Heffren, Vice President Robert Vanella) and is currently recruiting a Chief Executive Officer.

The organization monetizes through four primary streams: ticket sales for the annual fair ($15 adult, $12 senior/military, free for children 12 and under); facility rentals with tiered pricing by venue type; vendor and concessionaire fees (23% take rate with minimum guarantee plus health inspection fees, and $450-$1,100 per 10x10 booth space); and special events insurance intermediation through the California Fair Services Authority (CFSA) at $60-$310 per day based on attendance category. Customer segments are general public/families, junior livestock exhibitors (4-H and FFA-affiliated youth), commercial vendors and concessionaires, and event organizers hosting private/corporate/public events. There are no disclosed revenue figures, headcount, or funding rounds; the organization appears self-sustaining through event revenues.

The technology stack consists of third-party platforms rather than proprietary systems: Saffire powers the silverdollarfair.org website, ticketing, vendor applications, and rental request processing; showman.app powers the Junior Livestock Auction buyer registration and add-on payments; and Butler Amusements' MagicMoney platform handles carnival wristband sales. Marketing is multi-channel across website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and email newsletter. The organization is exploring or developing a new Resilience & Event Center to expand year-round rental capacity. No AI, API, or proprietary technology capabilities are disclosed.

Name

Silver Dollar Fair

Legal name

3rd District Agricultural Association

Website

https://silverdollarfair.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Silver Dollar Fair operates a 60-acre state-owned fairgrounds in Chico, California as a nonprofit 3rd District Agricultural Association, producing an annual fair, livestock expo, and Silver Dollar Speedway racing while renting indoor/outdoor venues to event organizers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fairground and Event Venue Services

NAICS

Racetracks (711212)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Race Tracks, Circuits & Motorsport Venues (MPAKAGAE)

Keywords

• Annual fair events
• Livestock exhibition
• Fairground venue rentals
• Auto racing events
• Community event hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Chico

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: General admission tickets for the annual fair ($15 adults, $12 seniors/military, free for kids 12 and under). Also includes carnival wristband sales through Butler Amusements.
2. Facility Rentals: Rental income from indoor venues (Commercial Building, Jack Vanella Hall, Harvest Hall), outdoor venues (Carnival Lot, Pavilion, Livestock Barns), grandstands, and RV spaces. Rental rates based on attendance categories and event type.
3. Vendor and Concession Fees: Revenue from commercial vendors, concessions, and exhibitors. Indoor vendor spaces range from $450-500 per 10'x10', outdoor spaces $650-1,100. Concessionaires pay 23% with minimum guarantee plus health inspection fees.
4. Special Events Insurance: Insurance services offered through California Fair Services Authority for event renters requiring General Liability ($1,000,000) and Liquor Liability ($1,000,000 if alcohol sold).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Silver Dollar Fair produces an annual multi-day fair featuring carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, live concerts, and motorsports at its 60-acre fairgrounds in Chico, California. It also runs a Junior Livestock Expo and Auction, operates the Silver Dollar Speedway dirt track for auto racing, and rents indoor and outdoor fairground venues to event organizers and private clients year-round. Revenue is generated through consumer ticket sales, vendor and concessionaire fees, facility rental fees, and livestock auction services.

Product overview

The Silver Dollar Fair is a 60-acre fairgrounds complex in Chico, California operated by the 3rd District Agricultural Association. The organization's primary offerings include the annual Silver Dollar Fair (a 5-day fair featuring carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, live entertainment, concerts, and auto racing events) and year-round facility rentals. The facility offers multiple venue spaces including indoor halls, outdoor areas, the Redwood Amphitheatre for concerts, and the Silver Dollar Speedway for auto racing. The annual Livestock Expo program supports junior exhibitors with market animals and auction services. These offerings are supported by vendor and concession programs, event ticketing services, and event staffing operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 2026 Annual Silver Dollar Fair Flagship annual five-day community fair for the general public featuring carnival rides by Butler Amusements, agricultural exhibits, live entertainment and concerts, grounds attractions, vendor marketplace, and grandstand motorsports events.
• Facility Rentals Year-round rental of fairground venues for private and public events, including indoor halls (Commercial Building, Jack Vanella Hall, Harvest Hall), outdoor areas (Carnival Lot, Livestock Barns, Pavilion), grandstands with 4,000 capacity, and RV spaces. Targeted at event organizers, wedding planners, corporate event coordinators, festival promoters, and trade show organizers.
• Silver Dollar Speedway Quarter-mile dirt track auto racing venue at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds hosting Friday night auto racing and the annual Gold Cup Race of Champions, with grandstand events during the fair including 360 Winged Sprints, Hobby Stocks, Tractor Pulls, and Destruction Derby.
• Junior Livestock Expo and Auction Annual junior livestock exhibition program for 4-H and FFA youth, featuring market animal showing, YQCA certification, and an online Junior Livestock Auction powered by showman.app for buyer registration and add-on payments.
• Grandstand Events Program Annual grandstand entertainment and motorsports program presented during the Silver Dollar Fair, including 360 Winged Sprints and Hobby Stocks (May 21-23), Tractor Pulls (May 24), and Destruction Derby (May 25), with race nights included with fair admission.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• California Fair Services Authority (CFSA)coreOthersCFSA provides Special Events Insurance rates for facility renters. Required insurance: General Liability $1,000,000 minimum, Liquor Liability $1,000,000 if alcohol sold. CFSA rate card effective January 1, 2019 covers categories A-F based on attendance (100-5,000+). CFSA also offers master list insurance programs for vendors.
• Silver Dollar SpeedwayflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuarter-mile dirt track in Chico, California home to Friday night auto racing and the Gold Cup Race of Champions. Presents grandstand events during Silver Dollar Fair including 360 Winged Sprints & Hobby Stocks (May 21-23), Tractor Pulls (May 24), and Destruction Derby (May 25). Race nights included with fair admission.
• Butler AmusementsflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily-owned carnival operation (founded 1970 by George 'Bud' Butler) providing rides at annual Silver Dollar Fair. Largest, safest, most award-winning carnival in Western United States. Fourth generation family operation. Carnival wristbands sold through Butler's MagicMoney platform.
• showman.appcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline livestock auction platform used for Junior Livestock Auction buyer registration and add-on payments. All new and previous buyers must register through showman.app. Card payments processed through the platform.
• California Highway PatrolcoreOthersCHP Form 398 (Permit Application for Activity on State Property) required for events. Applicants fill out form online, print and sign, then take to CHP office at 413 Southgate Ave, Chico for signature before submitting to fair office.
• MLM MotorsportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresents the Truck and Tractor Pull event on May 24th at the fair grandstands. MLM Motorsports provides ground-pounding entertainment with best truck and tractor pulling on the West Coast. Driver/entry registration through MLM Motorsports website.
• SaffirecoreTechnology or IntegrationWebsite and ticketing platform provider powering silverdollarfair.org. Provides event management, ticket sales, vendor application processing, and rental request functionality. Powers the fair's online presence including mobile-responsive design.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Redwood Acres Fairgrounds: Humboldt County fairgrounds in Eureka, CA operating the Redwood Acres Fair. Comparable small-scale regional fairgrounds with annual fair, livestock shows, and facility rentals, but located further north and serving a different immediate geographic market than Silver Dollar Fair.

Direct peers

• Petaluma Speedway: Northern California quarter-mile dirt track hosting weekly sprint car racing. Direct competitor to Silver Dollar Speedway for Friday night racing fans, Gold Cup-level events, and Northern California motorsport sponsorship dollars.
• Cal Expo / California State Fair: California's state-owned fairgrounds complex hosting the annual California State Fair in Sacramento. Most directly comparable as another California agricultural association-operated fairgrounds with year-round event rentals, livestock programs, and grandstand racing. Operates at significantly larger scale (350+ acres).
• Big Fresno Fair: 21st District Agricultural Association operating the annual Big Fresno Fair. Comparable regional California fairgrounds with annual fair, livestock programs, grandstand motorsports, concert series, and year-round facility rentals for events in California's Central Valley.
• Butte County Fair (Gridley): Butte County Fair operated by the 24th District Agricultural Association in Gridley, CA. Geographic competitor within Butte County offering annual fair, livestock expo, and venue rentals — directly competes for the same Chico-area community and youth exhibitor base.
• Sonoma County Fairgrounds: Sonoma County Fair & Exposition, Inc. operating the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Direct regional fairgrounds peer with annual fair, livestock exhibitions, racing events, and multi-venue facility rentals in Northern California — overlapping geographic market with Silver Dollar Fair.
• OC Fair & Event Center: 32nd District Agricultural Association operating the OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA. Direct structural peer as another California agricultural association with annual fair, year-round facility rentals, equestrian/livestock programs, and Pacific amphitheatre concerts — virtually identical operating model.
• Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds: Gold Country Fairgrounds operator hosting annual fair in Yuba City, CA. Closely comparable scale and operating model — small-to-mid California agricultural district fair with livestock auctions, motorsports, and facility rentals in a Northern/Central California market.
• Placerville Speedway: El Dorado County Fairgrounds dirt track hosting sprint car and winged sprint racing. Comparable Northern California short-track motorsport venue competing for touring series dates and regional fan attendance against Silver Dollar Speedway.

Others

• Western Fairs Association: Industry trade association serving California and Western U.S. fair operators. Not a direct competitor but a key industry body that Silver Dollar Fair belongs to, providing shared services, advocacy, and benchmarking data across the regional fair ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/silverfair
• Facebookfacebook.com/Silver-Dollar-Fair-300518271121
• Instagraminstagram.com/silverdollarfair
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/silver-dollar-fair

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Silver Dollar Fair