PASO ROBLES, Calif. — The California Mid-State Fair welcomed 433,208 guests during its 2026 run (a 12%
increase over 2025), marking another successful year celebrating agriculture, entertainment, competition, youth
achievement and community participation. Nearly all areas of the Fair saw increases in participation, in some
cases significant increases. All figures below are preliminary and unaudited.
Fair Grandstand attendance totaled 90,527, up 9% over 2025. Including the sold-out Chris Stapleton pre-Fair
concert, total Grandstand attendance was 105,011 - a 26.5% increase over last year.
The Helm & Sons Carnival generated $1,621,937, down 4% from last year. The “free carnival rides on Opening
Day” promotion continues to be very well attended, and Carnival Wristbands hit an all-time high with 15,036
wristbands sold by local non-profits.
Food and beverage concessions saw a 3% increase over 2025. The relatively small increase may be due in part to
the success of the Happy Hour promotion, a pilot program that had every food and beverage vendor offering a $5
menu item at the start of each day.
Agriculture remained at the heart of the Fair, with the Junior Livestock Auction generating a record-breaking
$4.02 million in sales (over $2.4 million for Market Steers, Hogs, Lambs and Goats and $1.1 Million for 117
Replacement Heifers) with the top 5 buyers spending over $100,000 each. The Industrial Arts Auction total was
$203,150 for 59 projects. The majority of sales generated in Fair auctions go directly back to the kids with a small
portion going back to the Fair to help fund operations.
More than 1,000 exhibitors showcased their talents through 6,000+ exhibit entries (i.e. baking, sewing, art,
photography, etc.) while the Fair’s commercial competitions highlighted the quality of California's wine, olive oil
and craft spirits industries.
Community participation continued to define the Fair experience. A total of 180 Friends of the Fair volunteers
donated 3,197 hours to support Fair operations, while local nonprofit organizations earned $52,626 from selling
carnival wristbands—a 7.7% increase over last year. Nearly 40 free demonstrations and classes presented by
local businesses, organizations and individuals added even more opportunities for guests to learn, create and
connect throughout the Fair.
This year's Back to the '80s theme inspired guests to do more than just attend. From skating at the free roller rink
and competing in the inaugural Mullet Contest to dressing up throughout the Fair's themed days, visitors
embraced the experience in record numbers. The free roller rink welcomed 3,600 participants, and the Mullet
Contest proved so popular it may become a new Fair tradition.
The Fair always recognizes excellence across its exhibits and competitions, which see high participation and
attendance each year. 2026 highlights included:
• Miss California Mid-State Fair Pageant crowned Queen Gabby Bodenshot and Princesses JoDee Jones and
Iris Ratzat.
Paso Robles Event Center, Home of the Award-Winning California Mid-State Fair
• Diablo Paso was named Winery of the Year at the Central Coast Wine Competition.
• Rock 12 of Lompoc earned Distillery of the Year honors at the California Craft Spirits Competition.
• Sunshine Olive Oil was named Producer of the Year in the Central Coast Olive Oil Competition.
• Aubree Jennings was named Women's All Around Rodeo Champion and Cody Mora earned both the
Country Rodeo All Around Cowboy title and the Fair's High Point Award.
• 4-H/FFA Open Youth Horse Show top awards went to Macie Munroe, Brooklyn Agapay and Charlie
Garcia.
• Horse Show champions across multiple disciplines were Natalie Werlhof, Robyn Schiller, Tina Robinson,
Charlie Roden, Ashley Salter, Colette Barnicoat, Cathy Bardos, Elizabeth Miranda and Brodie Scoville.
• The beloved Exhibits program named Cindy Morris as Top Adult Exhibitor, Aymie Evenson as Top Youth
Exhibitor, Sophie Pittman as Top 4-H/FFA Exhibitor, and Everett Boggs as Top Special Stars Exhibitor.
"This year's Fair had a special kind of magic," said Colleen Bojorquez, Chief Executive Officer. “Between
celebrating our 80th anniversary and an ‘80s theme, an incredible entertainment lineup and a community that
showed up in a big way, it felt like people were excited to be here. That's what the California Mid-State Fair is all
about - holding on to the traditions that define the Fair while continuing to add fun new twists year after year. We
have to thank everyone who made it happen – our Board of Directors, the Heritage Foundation, our staff,
volunteers, sponsors, vendors, exhibitors, auction buyers, competitors, entertainers and most of all our
attendees. I have to say it was a blast.”
2026 By the Numbers*
• 433,208 Fair guests
• 105,011 Grandstand entertainment attendees (including the pre-Fair concert)
• $4.02 million Junior Livestock Auction (including Replacement Heifer sales of $1.1 million, plus add-ons)
• $203,150 Industrial Arts Auction
• $1,621,937 Carnival
• 6,006 exhibit entries
• 1,007 exhibitors
• 784 Commercial Competition entries
• 180 volunteers
• 3,197 volunteer hours
• 546 employees (temporary and regular)
• 82,180 staff hours
• 15,036 nonprofit carnival wristbands sold
• $52,626 earned by local nonprofit organizations
Planning is already underway for the 2027 California Mid-State Fair, scheduled for July 14-25, 2027. Additional
announcements about next year's Fair will be made in the coming months, including the theme and Exhibits class
schedule.
*All numbers are preliminary and unaudited.
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