Colusa County California Fair Schedule

The Colusa County California Fair Schedule brings together the agricultural traditions, livestock programs, family entertainment, competitive exhibits, carnival rides, live music, and community activities of California’s Sacramento Valley farming region. Held in the city of Colusa, the fair has a particularly strong agricultural identity because the surrounding county is known for farming, ranching, rice production, orchards, seed crops, and other agricultural industries.

The 2026 Colusa County Fair is scheduled for June 11 through June 14, 2026, at the Colusa County Fairgrounds on 10th Street along Highway 20. The 2026 fair theme is “Neon Dreams.” The event combines a traditional county-fair program with youth livestock competitions, a Junior Livestock Auction, carnival attractions, children’s activities, pageants, live entertainment, and two major derby events.

The 2027 fair schedule should be checked separately as the new season approaches. While the annual event is expected to continue at the Colusa County Fairgrounds, exact 2027 dates, ticket prices, entertainment, special-day programming, and competition schedules should not be assumed to be identical to 2026.

Fair Overview and Fast Facts

The Colusa County Fair is held at the Colusa County Fairgrounds, 1303 10th Street, Colusa, California 95932. The fairgrounds sit along Highway 20 and serve as a year-round community and agricultural event center in addition to hosting the annual county fair.

For 2026, the public fair operates Thursday, June 11 through Sunday, June 14. On Thursday and Friday, gates open at 5:00 p.m. and remain open until 11:00 p.m., with the fair closing at midnight. On Saturday and Sunday, gates open at 3:00 p.m., with the same 11:00 p.m. gate closing and midnight fair closing schedule.

General 2026 admission is $10 for adults age 13 and older, $5 for children ages 6–12, and $5 for seniors age 65 and older. Children 5 and under are free. A four-day adult season pass costs $20, while a four-day children’s pass costs $10.

Thursday is Kids’ Day, when children 12 and under receive free admission. Friday includes Senior Day activities, while the fair also provides free admission throughout the week for active-duty and retired military personnel and first responders who present appropriate identification.

Parking at the Colusa County Fair is free, which makes the event relatively convenient for families traveling to the fairgrounds by car.

History and Origins

The Colusa County Fair developed from the agricultural and community traditions of the Sacramento Valley. Like many California county fairs, its roots are closely associated with local farmers, livestock producers, youth agricultural organizations, and community groups that wanted a place to display agricultural achievements and bring residents together.

The fairgrounds have also developed into a year-round agricultural gathering place. The same property that hosts the county fair is used for the Colusa Farm Show, an important regional agricultural event that showcases farm machinery, irrigation equipment, technology, crop production services, and other products used by farmers and ranchers.

This agricultural connection is particularly appropriate for Colusa County. Rice, almonds, walnuts, tomatoes, seed crops, cattle, and other agricultural products play important roles in the county economy. The fair provides a public setting where residents can see agricultural production represented through livestock competitions, farm and garden exhibits, youth projects, and agricultural demonstrations.

The fair’s modern program has expanded beyond agriculture to include carnival rides, live music, children’s entertainment, pageants, food vendors, derbies, and other attractions. Even with these additions, agriculture remains one of the defining features of the Colusa County event.

Visitors comparing California county fair traditions can explore the Calaveras County California Fair Schedule alongside the Colusa County California Fair Schedule to see how two communities combine agriculture, youth programs, family entertainment, and distinctive local traditions. Calaveras County’s fair in Angels Camp is known for livestock competitions, 4-H and FFA activities, rodeo events, carnival attractions, agricultural exhibits, and its famous International Jumping Frog Jubilee, while Colusa County’s fair highlights livestock shows, Junior Livestock Auction activities, youth agricultural programs, carnival rides, family competitions, live entertainment, and its Combine and Destruction Derbies. Comparing both schedules shows how California’s county fairs can preserve agricultural heritage while developing unique attractions that reflect the character of their local communities.

Agricultural Competitions and Livestock Shows

Livestock is one of the central parts of the Colusa County Fair, particularly through the youth livestock program. The Junior Department provides opportunities for 4-H, FFA, Grange youth, and independent junior exhibitors to participate in livestock competitions.

The 2026 livestock program includes hogs, steers, lambs, goats, turkeys, rabbits, and chickens in the Junior Livestock Auction. The program also includes market and breeding classes, showmanship competitions, county-bred classes, and champion selections.

Livestock activities begin before the public fair opens. Exhibitors bring their animals to the grounds, complete required check-in and weigh-in procedures, and prepare for judging. This makes the livestock portion of the fair a multi-day program rather than something that begins when the carnival opens.

The Junior Livestock Auction takes place on Saturday, June 13, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The sale order includes hogs, steers, lambs, goats, turkeys, rabbits, and chickens.

The auction represents months of work by young exhibitors. Buyers from local businesses, agricultural organizations, families, and the wider community can support these exhibitors through purchases. The fair emphasizes that auction proceeds help support the educational efforts of local youth groups.

Showmanship is another important part of the livestock program. Exhibitors are judged not only on the quality of the animal but also on their ability to handle, present, and care for it. This makes the livestock program an educational experience as well as a competition.

Fair Schedule Structure

The 2026 Colusa County Fair follows a four-day public schedule, but livestock exhibitors and competition participants are involved before the gates open to the general public.

Thursday, June 11, is Kids’ Day, making it particularly attractive to families with children. The fair combines free children’s admission with carnival attractions, the Kids Zone, competitions, food, exhibits, and entertainment.

Friday, June 12, features Senior Day. Seniors over 65 receive free admission, and a Senior Luncheon is scheduled at noon in Festival Hall. The day also includes livestock and entertainment activities.

Saturday, June 13, is one of the busiest days for agricultural participants. The Junior Livestock Auction begins at 9:00 a.m., while the public fair opens at 3:00 p.m. The afternoon and evening program combines family activities, entertainment, carnival rides, and the Combine Derby.

Sunday, June 14, provides the final day of the fair. The major evening attraction is the Destruction Derby, with gates opening at 3:00 p.m. and the derby beginning at 5:00 p.m.

The daily schedule also includes special competitions and family attractions such as the Wiener Races, Kids Power Wheels Derby, Diaper Derby, King and Queen of Freckles, Lego Competition, pageants, live music, and the Kids Zone.

Entertainment, Rides, and Midway

The carnival midway is one of the main attractions for visitors who attend the Colusa County Fair primarily for family entertainment. Unlimited ride wristbands are available for individual days, while a four-day Golden Ticket provides unlimited rides throughout the fair.

For 2026, a pre-sale daily unlimited ride wristband costs $35. During fair week, the on-site daily wristband price increases to $47. Ride coupons are also available for visitors who do not want an unlimited wristband.

The fair’s entertainment program extends beyond carnival rides. The Morning Star Packing Company Kids Zone provides free children’s shows with paid fair admission, including performances by Lanky the Clown and additional family entertainment.

The fair also features the Wiener Races, Kids Power Wheels Derby, Diaper Derby, King and Queen of Freckles, Lego Competition, pageants, and live music.

The entertainment program is spread across several areas of the fairgrounds, allowing visitors to move between agricultural exhibits, carnival attractions, food vendors, children’s activities, and stage performances.

Open Class and Amateur Competitions

The Colusa County Fair provides opportunities for community members to participate through competitive exhibits as well as livestock. The current fair program includes opportunities for agricultural, creative, educational, and family-oriented entries.

Farm and garden exhibits are particularly appropriate for Colusa County because of the region’s strong agricultural economy. Exhibitors can showcase products and projects connected with gardening, crops, food production, and rural life.

Home and creative categories allow residents to participate through cooking, crafts, arts, photography, and other personal projects. These competitions give the fair a broader community character because participation is not limited to professional farmers or livestock exhibitors.

Youth exhibitors can also participate in junior departments. The fair’s agricultural youth program allows young people to enter projects through organized groups such as 4-H and FFA as well as through the independent exhibitor program.

Independent junior exhibitors are specifically accommodated by the livestock rules. This is useful for young people who have agricultural projects but are not members of an established club or organization.

Exhibitors should use the current Colusa County Fair guidebook for exact class descriptions, entry deadlines, fees, and receiving times because these details can change between fair years.

Demolition Derby, Tractor Pulls, and Motorsport Events

The Colusa County Fair is particularly notable for its two derby events. The 2026 schedule includes a Combine Derby on Saturday, June 13, followed by the Destruction Derby on Sunday, June 14.

The Combine Derby begins at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, with gates opening at 5:00 p.m. General admission for the Combine Derby is $15, separate from regular fair admission.

The Destruction Derby takes place Sunday, with gates opening at 3:00 p.m. and the derby beginning at 5:00 p.m. General admission for the event is $25. A two-day derby pass covering both the Combine Derby and Destruction Derby is available for $35.

The fair also includes the Kids Power Wheels Derby, giving younger visitors a smaller-scale version of the motorsport experience.

A traditional full-size tractor pull is not identified as one of the principal 2026 grandstand attractions. The Combine Derby and Destruction Derby are the confirmed major motorsport events for the 2026 fair.

4-H and FFA Youth Programs

Youth agriculture is central to the Colusa County Fair. The livestock department specifically provides divisions for 4-H and FFA members, while also accommodating Grange youth and independent junior exhibitors.

The 2026 livestock program includes market and breeding competitions involving hogs, steers, lambs, goats, poultry, rabbits, and other eligible projects. Youth exhibitors compete in showmanship classes as well as market and breeding categories.

The program also uses age-based 4-H divisions. Primary members begin at age five, while junior, intermediate, and senior categories provide age-appropriate participation as young people progress through the program.

The fair’s independent exhibitor option is particularly useful for youth who want to participate without belonging to 4-H or FFA. The fair requires independent junior exhibitors who intend to show and sell to register with the entry office by the specified annual deadline.

The Junior Livestock Auction is the culmination of much of this youth work. Buyers can support the young exhibitors financially while recognizing the time and responsibility involved in raising and preparing animals for the fair.

The fair also provides non-livestock youth opportunities through competitions such as the Kids Power Wheels Derby, Lego Competition, Diaper Derby, King and Queen of Freckles, and other children’s activities.

Fairgrounds Facilities and Layout

The Colusa County Fairgrounds occupy an important position within the community because the property supports both the annual fair and other agricultural and public events throughout the year.

Major facilities include livestock barns, exhibit halls, arena and grandstand areas, the TK Marshall Pavilion, community spaces, outdoor lawns, carnival areas, and areas for vendors and agricultural displays.

The livestock facilities are arranged to support the arrival, housing, judging, and sale of animals. The TK Marshall Pavilion and related livestock areas are used for major livestock competitions and the Junior Livestock Auction.

The fairgrounds also provide facilities for the Colusa Farm Show, which brings agricultural equipment manufacturers, suppliers, farmers, ranchers, and agricultural professionals together each year.

Other community events held at the grounds demonstrate that the property functions as more than a temporary fair site. The facilities are used for meetings, fundraisers, family activities, agricultural programs, performances, and other local events.

Visitors attending the county fair should follow posted signs because livestock areas, exhibitor-only spaces, vendor areas, carnival operations, and public entertainment areas can change according to the day’s program.

Getting There: Directions and Logistics

The Colusa County Fairgrounds are located at 1303 10th Street, Colusa, California 95932, directly along Highway 20. This location makes the grounds accessible to visitors from Colusa as well as surrounding Sacramento Valley communities.

Because the fair is held during the evening hours on Thursday and Friday and later in the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday, visitors should expect traffic to increase as the carnival and evening entertainment become active.

Parking is free, providing an advantage for families traveling by car. Visitors should still arrive early for popular programs because parking demand increases during the weekend and around the derby events.

Livestock exhibitors need to plan separately from general visitors. Animals arrive before the public fair opens, and exhibitors must follow specific check-in, weigh-in, health, and housing procedures.

The fairgrounds also host commercial vendors, food concessions, agricultural exhibitors, livestock trailers, and carnival equipment. Visitors should follow designated pedestrian routes and remain outside restricted exhibitor areas.

Volunteer and Vendor Opportunities

The Colusa County Fair relies on local exhibitors, volunteers, businesses, agricultural organizations, sponsors, and community members. These groups contribute to the fair’s agricultural competitions, children’s activities, entertainment, livestock programs, and community events.

The fair specifically invites vendors and exhibitors from throughout the county and surrounding region. Commercial businesses can use the fair as an opportunity to present products and services directly to local residents, while agricultural exhibitors can display equipment, projects, and products.

Food vendors are another visible part of the event. Fair visitors can purchase meals, snacks, desserts, and beverages while moving between the carnival, livestock areas, and entertainment stages.

Volunteer participation is particularly important for livestock competitions and youth programs. Judges, ring stewards, livestock helpers, youth leaders, auction supporters, and other volunteers help ensure that the agricultural program operates smoothly.

The fair also depends on sponsorship support from local businesses and agricultural organizations. Sponsorship helps support entertainment, youth activities, livestock programs, and other parts of the annual celebration.

Economic and Community Impact

The Colusa County Fair provides an important annual economic and social gathering for Colusa and the surrounding Sacramento Valley agricultural region. The event brings residents together while also attracting visitors who spend money on admission, carnival rides, food, merchandise, and other local services.

Agriculture is especially important to the fair’s economic role. The livestock program connects local youth with farmers, ranchers, agricultural businesses, and buyers through the Junior Livestock Auction.

The fairgrounds’ year-round agricultural role strengthens this impact. The same property hosts the Colusa Farm Show, one of the region’s major agricultural equipment and technology events. This creates a year-round connection between the fairgrounds and the farming economy rather than limiting their importance to four days in June.

The Junior Livestock Auction also provides direct support to young people. Buyers who purchase animals help reward exhibitors for their agricultural work and encourage continued participation in youth programs.

The fair’s community impact extends beyond economics. Kids’ Day, Senior Day, pageants, children’s competitions, live music, and family entertainment create opportunities for residents of different ages to participate in the same annual event.

Comparing Colusa County Fair to Nearby Fairs

The Colusa County Fair has a particularly strong Sacramento Valley agricultural identity. Unlike some larger California fairs where concerts and commercial entertainment dominate the public program, Colusa continues to place livestock, youth agriculture, and local agricultural traditions near the center of its schedule.

Its Combine Derby and Destruction Derby also give the fair a distinctive motorsport identity. Having both events during the same weekend provides an unusual combination of agricultural competition and vehicle-based entertainment.

The fair’s agricultural focus is also visible through the Junior Livestock Auction, 4-H and FFA programs, agricultural exhibits, and its connection to the Colusa Farm Show.

Compared with the Butte County Fair in nearby Gridley, Colusa offers a similarly strong Sacramento Valley agricultural atmosphere but has its own combination of derbies, family competitions, pageants, and community programming.

The result is a fair that serves several audiences at once: agricultural families come for livestock and youth competitions, children come for the carnival and Kids Zone, motorsport fans come for the derbies, and local residents come for the community atmosphere and annual traditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates and hours of the Colusa County Fair?

The 2026 Colusa County Fair runs from June 11 through June 14, 2026. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Gates close at 11:00 p.m., while the fair closes at midnight each night.

Where is the Colusa County Fair held?

The fair is held at the Colusa County Fairgrounds, 1303 10th Street, Colusa, California 95932, along Highway 20. The fairgrounds include livestock facilities, exhibit spaces, carnival areas, entertainment areas, and agricultural event facilities.

How much does it cost to attend the Colusa County Fair?

For 2026, general admission is $10 for adults age 13 and older, $5 for children ages 6–12, and $5 for seniors age 65 and older. Children 5 and under are free. A four-day adult season pass costs $20 and a children’s season pass costs $10. Some special events, including the derbies, require separate admission.

Is there free parking at the Colusa County Fair?

Yes. Parking for the Colusa County Fair is free. Visitors should nevertheless follow the current parking signs and arrive early during the busiest weekend periods.

Can I bring my own food and drinks into the Colusa County Fair?

Visitors should follow the current fairground rules concerning outside food, drinks, alcohol, coolers, and containers. The fair provides food vendors throughout the grounds, so visitors have multiple options for meals and refreshments during their visit.

How do I enter an item in competition at the Colusa County Fair?

Exhibitors should review the current Colusa County Fair guidebook and identify the appropriate department and class. Youth livestock exhibitors can enter through 4-H, FFA, Grange, or the independent exhibitor program. Other competitive exhibits have their own entry forms, deadlines, fees, and receiving requirements.

Is the Colusa County Fair appropriate for young children?

Yes. The fair has a strong family focus, including Kids’ Day, free admission for children 12 and under on Thursday, a dedicated Kids Zone, carnival rides, the Diaper Derby, Kids Power Wheels Derby, Lego Competition, Wiener Races, and the King and Queen of Freckles competition.

Are pets allowed at the Colusa County Fair?

Visitors should check the current fairground animal policy before bringing pets. Livestock and other animals participating in authorized competitions are permitted under the fair’s rules, while ordinary household pets may be restricted. Service animals are handled under applicable accessibility requirements.

Does the Colusa County Fair have a demolition derby?

Yes. The 2026 fair has both a Combine Derby on Saturday, June 13, and a Destruction Derby on Sunday, June 14. The Combine Derby begins at 7:00 p.m., while the Destruction Derby begins at 5:00 p.m.

Who organizes the Colusa County Fair?

The Colusa County Fair is operated through the Colusa County Fairgrounds and its agricultural fair organization, with fair management, staff, exhibitors, volunteers, agricultural youth groups, vendors, sponsors, and community supporters contributing to the event.

Is there camping available at the Colusa County Fair fairgrounds?

Camping availability should be confirmed directly with the fairgrounds for the specific fair year. Because livestock exhibitors, vendors, carnival operators, and other participants may occupy the grounds before and during the fair, visitors should not assume that fair-week camping is available without advance confirmation.

What happens if the fair is cancelled due to weather?

Outdoor fair activities can be affected by severe weather, particularly carnival rides, livestock operations, and derby events. If weather requires cancellation, postponement, or modification, the fair organization can issue updated instructions regarding affected activities and tickets. Visitors should check the current fair announcement before traveling when significant weather is expected.