El Dorado County Fair
The El Dorado County Fair [1] is held in Placerville, California Every Father's Day weekend. Started in 1859 (current site 1939).
El Dorado County Fair | |
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Genre | fairs, festivals |
Dates | Third week in June ending on Father's Day |
Frequency | Annually |
Venue | El Dorado County Fairgrounds |
Location(s) | 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville, California |
Coordinates | 38.726°N 120.832°W |
Country | United States |
Years active | 1859–1916; 1919–41; 1946–2019; 2021– |
Established | 1859 |
Attendance | 65,000 people over its four day run each June |
Filing status | 501 (c) 3 |
Website | http://eldoradocountyfair.org |
The El Dorado County Fair features four full days of exhibitions[2] contests and competitions, concerts and events, carnival rides, and Fair food galore.[3] Junior Livestock Auction and still exhibits,[4] such as photography, food items, artwork, homemade wine and homebrew are all on display throughout the Fair's four-day run. Friday night events in the grandstands usually consist of Mutton Bustin' and Humpz and Hornz Bull Riding. Other favorite and traditional activities, such as cooking demonstrations, Free Kid Workshops (usually sponsored by Home Depot) and games including Funnel Cake Eating Contests (for young and old alike), bean spitting contest, Big Wheels Races (usually sponsored by Gold Country Ace Hardware & Hobbies) and more all hosted by Flo the Clown! The famous Annual John M. Studebaker Championship Wheelbarrow Races take place on Sunday evening in the Grandstands.[5] The Father and Child Look-A-Like Contest happens on the main stage Sunday as part of the Father Day activities. The Fair concludes Sunday night at 10 p.m. on Father's Day.[6]
The fair was cancelled in 1917–18 because of World War I, 1942–45 because of World War II & 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic was to blame.
Other Events
The large range of events held at the Fairgrounds include the County Fair, the annual Cowboys and Cornbread Event (sponsored by El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce and the El Dorado County Visitors Authority, and El Dorado County Fairgrounds.), the popular Crab & Chowder Gala [7] the Fourth of July Family Blast, Art & Wine & Something MORE, Hangtown Halloween Ball, El Dorado County Fair Open Wine Competition [8][9][10][11] weddings, cultural events, family reunions, non-profit fundraising events and more. The Fairground’s Mark D. Forni building (capacity 2285 persons) and the grandstand (capacity 1800 persons) make it the only facility along the highway 50 corridor fitting these requirements. Approximately 600 events are held during the year resulting in 267,000 visitors to the Fairgrounds annually.
Other Businesses on the Fairgrounds
References
- Howser, Huell. "California's Golden Fairs - EL DORADO COUNTY FAIR video documentary". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzzB6Sm7n0Q. External link in
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(help) - "Submit entry forms now for the El Dorado County Fair" (April 10, 2014). Tahoe Daily Tribune.
- "El Dorado County Fair offers healthier options" (June 6, 2014). Tahoe Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
- Chirbas, Kirt (12 July 2013). "Appetizers: El Dorado County inmates' baking continues to win ribbons". blogs.sacbee.com. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- government office of El Dorado County (n.d.). "John Mohler Studebaker". edcgov.us. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- Chaddock, Don (1 June 2011). "El Dorado County Fair garners TV show interest". folsomtelegraph.com. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- Newell, Laura. "Start cracking; crab season has arrived" (Nov 12 2014). The Folsom Telegraph. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
- Dunne, Mike. "Mike Dunne on Wine: What's new, good and vintage from California vineyards" (01/27/2015). Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- Dunne, Mike. "Gwinllan makes a statement in the Sierra foothills". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- "Sierra Starr strikes gold at El Dorado wine competition" (May 27, 2014). The Union. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- Cervin, Michael. "Michael Cervin to be Official Wine Judge: The Mountain Democrat Wine Competition Welcomes Wine Judges". PR.com. Retrieved 3 February 2015.