El Dorado County Fair
The mild weather throughout Northern California this weekend will be just right for a visit to the El Dorado County Fair. Grab your partner (and a jacket or two) and head up to Placerville for great rides, tasty food, live music, and much more.
Fair Schedule:
Date: Today through Sunday
Time: Noon to Midnight
Adults $10.00
Kids $7.00
Wristbands – $30.00
Transportation: Free Shuttles courtesy of El Dorado Transit
What You Can Expect This Year
- Rodeo Fun
- Animals and Livestock
- Games
- Agricultural and Local Exhibits
- Live Musical Entertainment
- Homemade Foods
- Arts and Crafts Exhibits
- Amazing Rides
- Delicious County Fair Food and Drinks
- and a whole lot more…!
El Dorado County Fair History
The first fair in El Dorado County’s recorded history occurred in Coloma in 1859. Before 1939, the Fair was held at various locations, including Downtown Placerville, Coloma, and Diamond Springs.
The Fairs were held in Coloma in 1859, 1860 and 1864. Placerville and Diamond Springs were also the home of the Fair in the earlier years. The downtown regions of these charming little towns were transformed into fairgrounds every time the County Fair was hosted.
With no facilities until 1939, the County Fair typically used whatever venues it could find. In the old days, the whole town where the Fair was to be held became the venue for the Fairgrounds. When the Fair came to Placerville, some venues included Sigwart’s Opera House, Confidence Hall, the Stockyards, and Central House Hotel and Ballroom.
The original County Fair at the current location on Placerville Drive, off old Highway 50, began in 1939. It was organized by the American Legion via a contract with El Dorado County. The American Legion organized the County Fairs through 1952. After that, the current Fair Association was created. The Fair did not operate during World War II. After the war, the American Legion reactivated the Fair in 1947.
County Fairs are great for the community. It gives folks a chance to show off their unique talents. It describes in beautiful detail the lovely expression of a country’s character. For native residents, the county fair can bring back memories of the past. It is a fantastic way to introduce younger generations to cotton candy, Ferris wheels, and wholesome, old-fashioned fun.
Please Be Prepared to Follow All Fair Rules and Regulations
- No pets
- No gang clothing
- No bikes, skateboards, or quads
- No weapons or guns (No CCW permits allowed)
- Prepare to be checked by security personnel (metal wanding)
- No food or beverages from the outside are allowed into the fairgrounds
- Closed and sealed water bottles are allowed (they must be unopened)
- No alcohol
- No coolers
- Baby food and dietetic foods will be allowed.
- No smoking or puffing
- Age and height requirements for fair rides
- No photographs or videos may be taken
Location of Fair:
El Dorado County Fair, 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville, CA 95667
For More Information Call:
Fair Office: Monday – Friday
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Phone: 530.621.5860
Email: [email protected]
Image Attribution: By Jean-François Gornet (Flickr: Barbe à papa (couleurs)) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Source of El Dorado County Fair – ElDoradoCountyFair.org
Additional Sources:
- YouTube – El Dorado County Fair & Event Center
- Airshotz for this super awesome video of the El Dorado County Fairgrounds (drone footage)