California Mid-State Fair Reports 12% Jump in 2026 Attendance
PASO ROBLES, Calif. (KEYT) - The California Mid-State Fair (CMSF) has reported its 80th anniversary was a rousing success, showing an impressive jump from the past year in both the amount of people who attended the fair and grandstand entertainment.
According to the CMSF, 433,208 fairgoers attended the 12-day event, which ran from July 15 through July 26.
This year's attendance marked a 12% increase from last year's amount, which drew 366,216 guests.
In addition, CMSF said grandstand entertainment drew 90,527 concertgoers, marking a 9% increase from 2025.
The amount does not include the sold out performance of Chris Stapleton, who appeared during a special pre-fair show on Tuesday, July 14, the night before the fair officially opened.
Stapleton drew more than 14,000 spectators to the Chumash Arena, pushing the overall total this year for grandstand entertainment to 105,011, a 26.5% increase over last year.
Musical acts this year who performed in the Chumash Arena was Old Dominion, Ice Cube with Warren G, Lainey Wilson Eric Church, Megadeth, Howard Jones with Wang Chung, Willie Nelson, Treaty Oak Revival and Three Dog Night.
Other metrics included a 3% increase in food and beverage concessions, which the CSMF indicated may be due in part to the success of the new Happy Hour promotion, a pilot program that included every food and beverage vendor offering a $5 menu item at the start of each day.
The Junior Livestock Auction enjoyed immense success, generating a record-breaking $4.02 million in sales.
Nearly half that amount, $2.4 million went towards Market Steers, Hogs, Lambs and Goats, while $1.1 million was raised for 117 Replacement Heifers.
The Industrial Arts Auction brought in $203,150 for 59 projects.
The CMSF said majority of sales generated by the live auctions go directly back to local students with a small portion going back to the Fair to help fund operations.
While most fair numbers were up from 2025, the carnival did report a small dip.
The Helm & Sons Carnival generated $1,621,93, a slight decrease of 4% from last year.
However, fair officials said the "free carnival rides on Opening Day" promotion continued to be very well attended, and Carnival Wristbands hit an all-time high with 15,036 wristbands sold by local non-profits.
"This year's Fair had a special kind of magic," said Colleen Bojorquez, CMSF 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."
While the 2026 CMSF is now completed, officials said planning is already underway for the 2027 California Mid-State Fair, which is scheduled for July 14-25, 2027.
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