The 2023 California Mid-State Fair by the numbers and official competition winners
PASO ROBLES, Calif. – The 77th annual California Mid-State Fair has completed its 12-day run with its "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" theme.
California Mid-State Fair CEO Colleen Bojorquez said, “On behalf of the Staff and the Board of Directors, we are delighted with the results of the 2023 California Mid-State Fair. The support from the community
to celebrate the traditions of San Luis Obispo County and to see the staff’s hard work is truly inspiring. We couldn’t do it without you.”
A summation of various aspects of the jam-packed California Mid-State Fair are below.
Total attendance was unofficially over 334,000 people. An increase of 0.5% over last year.
There were 7,673 adult and youth exhibit entries an increase from last year's 6,206 exhibits.
Fairs the world over are known for their concessions and the California Mid-State Fair was no exception! Slightly over 50 food and non-alcoholic beverage vendors reported a gross revenue of just over $3 million.
The Fair has over 95 total business and individual sponsors that gave over $1.3 million in cash and in-kind donations.
The Queen of the California Mid-State Fair was awarded to 20-year-old Kerrigan Jensen of Santa Margarita. Runner Up for the crown was 18-year-old Jenna Wilshusen of Paso Robles and 17-year-old Natalie Boyd of Paso Robles was the 2nd Runner Up.
This year's Livestock Auction unofficially raised $2,689,519 on 770 animals. Of that total, $672,000 came from the Replacement Heifer Sale and $2,017,519 came from the Junior Livestock Auction, amd the new Small Animal Auction brought in $7,737.
Add-ons for the animal auctions will close on Aug. 6 so auction totals will only increase as those are added.
The Michelob Ultra Concert Series in the Chumash Main Grandstand saw over 91,000 guests, an increase of a couple of thousand ticket buyers over last year. Notable perfomers included Luke Bryan, Pitbull, Tim McGraw, Nelly, and Los Tucanes de Tijuana.
This year's Industrial Arts Auction brought in $225,550 through 61 projects, an increase of $34,000 over last year and the most ever raised in a single year. Over $1.1 million has been brought in since the auction began over 23 years ago.
Helm and Sons Amusements, Inc. of Colton, California generated $1,670,000 in total revenue, an increase of 4% from last year, and notably that included an Opening Day featuring a day of completely free day of rides.
The Central Coast Wine Competition named Peachy Canyon Winery as the 2023 Winery of the Year. The Paso Robles-based winery had 17 entries that placed this year.
The California Craft Spirits Competition had two divisions at this year's competition, one for spirits made in California and the other for those made elsewhere. Each of those has 64 classes available.
The Fair announced this year's San Luis Obispo County Agriculture Award winners. George Donati was awarded Agriculturist of the Year. Suze Evenson was awarded Cattlewoman of the Year and Mike Massey was awarded Cattleman of the Year.
The San Luis Obispo County Wine Industry Awards were also announced during the Fair.
- Wine Industry Person of the Year was Mike Sinor, founder/co-founder of Sinor-LaValee Wine Co. and Ancient Peaks Winery.
- Wine Grape Grower of the Year was Erin Amaral, vineyard manager at Pacific Coast Farming
- Winemaker of the Year was Matt Trevisan, owner and winemaker at Linne Calodo
- Lifetime Achievement Award winner was Linda Cooks the wine and liquor manager at Albertsons of Paso Robles
The Country Rodeo Competition is also a major draw every year. This year's All-Around Cowboy was Cody Mora. Other category winners included:
- Team Penning: Quinn Tannehill, Misty Tartaglia, and Janalee Johnsen
- Barrels: Kathryn Varian
- Ranch Rope & Brand: Franky Martinez, Danny Leslie, Colter Negranti, and Francisco Cruz
- Mixed Ribbon Roping: Colton Negranti and Brittany Kelly
- Match Roping: Dugan Kelly and Danny Leslie
- Double Mugging: Tristen Schmidt and Edgar Machado
- Ladies Breakaway Roping: Becca More
The Paso Robles Main Street Association and the California Mid-State Fair's Annual Free Pancake Breakfast served around 1,500 people breakfast, an increase of over 750 people fed from last year.
The 2024 California Mid-State Fair is already scheduled for July 17 to 28. See you there!
