Marin Voice: County fair a representation of Marin’s community values

The Marin County Board of Supervisors invites you to join us at the award-winning Marin County Fair, which is open from now until Sunday.

The Marin County Fair is an annual celebration of our vibrant community, drawing more than 120,000 attendees. The fair is fun for everyone and includes carnival rides, film festival screenings, grounds entertainment, community stage productions, the barnyard and petting zoo, art and food exhibit hall, concerts and fireworks.

The fair has a rich history. It dates back to 1879, when the Marin County Journal newspaper mentioned W.T. Coleman’s plans for a fairground and racetrack. The first Marin County Fair and Harvest Festival took place in 1925. It stopped after four years. In 1946, the fair started again at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross. In 1956, the county purchased 140 acres to create the Civic Center campus in San Rafael. By 1971, the space was ready to host the first Marin County Fair. For more than 50 years, the people of Marin have enjoyed the fair at its current location against the backdrop of Marin’s rolling hillsides.

Each year, the fair continues to grow and adapt, reflecting Marin’s values of art, agriculture, environment and connection to our community. Since 2008, the Marin County Fair has been setting the standard for sustainability, earning the title of the Healthiest and Greenest County Fair on Earth. Today, the fair proudly showcases a carousel ride and performance stage both powered by the sun, as well as an impressive 92% waste diversion rate. The fair also features the first wind turbine installed at a fairground in California, with the propeller-free vertical turbine demonstration project outside the entry of the Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium. It also offers various fresh and healthy food options, alcohol-free sponsorships and a smoke-free and inclusive environment for all to enjoy.

You can help contribute to keeping the fair green by taking free Marin Transit to the fairgrounds, take the SMART train, or ride your bike and check out the bike valet service.

On Wednesday, I officially opened the fair with the annual ribbon cutting. I look forward to visiting the information and educational booths at the fair from our local nonprofits and county agencies. I also enjoy visiting the exhibit hall to see the creativity of our communities, from the youth submissions to the fine arts, photography, crafts and clothing and textile entries.

I am grateful every year to witness the rich agricultural heritage of the county on display in the Barnyard. Marin’s agricultural community continues to inspire and involve the next generation by providing information and resources about our local food sources and sustainability.

The Community Stage will showcase local talent from around the Bay Area each day. Friday will feature family-friendly LGBTQ+ acts for Fair Pride Day and, on Sunday, the Community Stage will showcase Latin artists all day long as part of Latin Heritage Day.

The concert lineup includes a world-class roster of bands. Opening night kicked off with En Vogue. Join in the fun tonight at the Splashback Music Fest. It features fan favorites Forever Land, Petty Theft, Super Diamond and Tainted Love. Daya joins the lineup on Friday and will be followed by eight-time Grammy winner, Emmy winner, musician, producer, activist, and humanitarian Ziggy Marley on Saturday. Closing out the Fair festivities on Sunday is Grammy-winning multi-platinum band Los Lonely Boys.

The fair is made possible each year by the dedicated team of public servants led by Gabriella Calicchio and her team in the Department of Cultural Services along with Marin County Parks, Public Works, County Counsel, Risk Management, Sheriff and Fire, and partners from the City of San Rafael. This year I want to recognize the amazing effort of the Department of Public Works. That staff worked diligently to finish the parking lot in time for the fair.

Thank you to everyone who makes this event happen each year, I hope to see you at the Fair.

Marin Supervisor Dennis Rodoni represents District 4, which encompasses West Marin, Corte Madera, San Quentin Village, East Novato and West San Rafael, as well as parts of Mill Valley and Larkspur.