New Santa Maria Fairpark CEO ready to lead facility into new era
SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- New Santa Maria Fairpark Chief Executive Officer Caitlin Miller is ready to lead the facility as it enters a new era where it pushes forward into normal operations.
Miller, a Righetti High School graduate, was appointed by the 37th District Agriculture Association Board of Directors last week and is already settling into her new position.
"I am so excited," said Miller. "I grew up in the Fairpark raising sheep and chickens, so I'm excited to be on the other side and be instrumental in putting on and creating a fun place for our community."
After two years working through the COVID-19 pandemic, Miller said the Fairpark is ready to reestablish its two longtime marquee events, the Santa Barbara County Fair and Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival.
"It's a bit of a transition year," said Miller. "The last couple of years events were cancelled and then a little bit modified. We're excited this year to be back to 'normal.' I'm sure I'll be hearing that word a lot. In-person events, food vendors, rides, and really getting to spend time with family. It will be a little bit of a transition year, but we're excited for what's ahead."
With the Strawberry Festival and Fair both set to return to more traditional formats, Miller is hoping the community will support the two events, both of which are critically important to the Fairpark's annual finances.
"We're really encouraging everyone to come out for both the Strawberry Festival and Santa Barbara County Fair," said Miller. "We really can't do it without you. We're a state-owned facility, but our revenue and income comes from all of the events that we have here, so we encourage you to come out, give it a try, bring your friends and family, as we're kind of back in action after Covid."
According to Rebecca Barks, Fairpark Public Relations/Sponsorship Coordinator, there is already increasing community excitement and demand for the two events.
"What we're finding is people want to get out," said Barks. "They want to do stuff, but with the cost of everything today, and with traveling, it really makes it hard for them, so having this in their backyard, and having this be very accessible to them is going to be fun for the whole family, and we just can't wait to welcome everybody back to our grounds."
Looking further ahead, Miller is eyeing the creation of potential new events, with the thought of establishing new annual traditions.
"I'm excited to see some new interim events," said Miller. "I was doing a little bit of brainstorming, and maybe we can have a BBQ festival or maybe highlight some of the wonderful wineries locally, so looking to bring in some of those different aspects of food and agriculture back into the fairgrounds."
As for this year, there is growing optimism this will be a big comeback season for the Fairpark that will set the stage for a very bright future.
"Whether it's from the festivals to work related conferences, we are really booking in 2022 and we're really embracing it all," said Barks. "We are needed now more than ever, with our community having this kind of facility right in their own backyard."
The Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival runs April 29-May 1. The Santa Barbara County Fair is scheduled for July 13-17.
For more information on the Santa Maria Fairpark, click here.
