Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation

The Fairgrounds continues to serve the community during this pandemic

Did you have your graduation ceremony at the County Fairgrounds? What's your story? Thanks Todd Boehmer for sharing your photo.

Lou's Village Catering 1956 Fairgrounds Expo Hall. 2400 served efficiently with quality meals. I was there for this one. It was huge. Huge. Job's Daughters. Photo from Tom Muller

Do you have a ferris wheel story??

Save the Date for the Santa Clara County Fair Drive Thru and Livestock Auction

Save the Date for the 2021 Santa Clara County Fair!

The aerial photo was taken during the 17th Annual Fair Sept 11-17, 1961. The Administration building on Tully Road has not been built yet. Gateway Hall is still a tent in this photo. Gateway Hall was built in 1971. What is your story?

What is your story? We'd love to hear it

The replica was moved from downtown San Jose to the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in 1950. The building has seen many uses during it's lifetime at the Fairgrounds. The building was first used as a year-round historical museum curated by Clyde Arbuckle. Many elementary school children had a field trip to learn about San Jose History. The museum contents relocated to Kelley Park and became History San Jose. Since then, the building has been meeting rooms, art displays, hospitality and reception. The building is still located on the Fairgrounds property.

Do you remember having the time of your life as a teenager at the Santa Clara county fair we looked forward to it coming to town

Preserve, promote, and build the Santa Clara Fairgrounds to be the premiere, community-gathering-place for diverse communities, residents, businesses, corporations, and visitors of the Silicon Valley.

We love seeing our history. Thanks to everyone who shares Fairgrounds stories.

Queen Mary Miss Santa Clara County 1949, Mary Cozan of San Jose, at the 5th Annual Santa Clara County Fair, Sept 12 - 18. Do you know anything about Mary Cozan? Is she still in the area? Are you related to her?

Mr. Narango training his horse at the Santa Clara County fairgrounds. Do you know someone who trained horses here? or worked at the racetrack? Want to share your story?

A 1963 ad for the SANTA CLARA COUNTY FAIR.

Fairgrounds Speedway. Dennis Mattish asks "did it give you goosebumps?"

This is a map of the 3rd Annual County Fair, Sept 15-21, 1947. Frank C. Mitchell was President and Russell E. Pettit was Manager.

Did you spend time visiting the State House replica while at the Fair? The replica was moved from downtown San Jose to the Fairgrounds property in 1950. The building became the History Museum. The museum soon outgrew this building and the Annex was built to the left of State House in 1957. During the school year, many children took a field trip to visit Clyde Arbuckle, the Historian, and Curator. This museum was the beginning of History San Jose. When the museum outgrew this space it moved to its current location on Senter Road. After the museum relocated, the building was converted to fair hospitality, VIP lounge and meeting rooms. Many of the Fair departments held their planning meetings here. Did you attend any meetings here? What is your State House story??

Today is the anniversary of the 22nd Annual County Fair, Aug 19-28, 1966. Some fun facts: -General Admission $1.00; Juniors 13-16 $.75; Children $.50. Kid's Day was Aug 23 and 26, youngsters under 16 will be admitted free. -Skyride - this was the 1st year for the cable ride. Passengers traveled over the heart of the fairgrounds. Entrances were at the north end of Exposition Hall, and between Marie Campbell Pavillion and Fiesta Hall.... -Sue Reller, Mountain View, was crowned Miss Santa Clara County. -Entertainment was The Hoosier Hotshots Show featuring Niccolini's Chimps; Ford & Williams comedy duo; Bob Hart & Delores; and The Duane Dancers. -Floricultural exhibits, headed by Mrs. Eleanor Vennum, and approximately 50 volunteers have created a wide variety of exhibits that includes over 2,500 fresh flowers "from the daintiest African violets to the rugged succulents of the desert". "Mrs. Vennum has a lifetime of experience in the field in both commercial work and as a leader in garden clubs. She conducted a radio program for five years on gardens, has been chairman for numerous flower shows, and is nationally accredited as an iris judge." Thank you to Mrs. Eleanor Vennum for her many years dedicated to the Floricultural Exhibits and our Fair. See more

1954 was the 10th Annual Fair. Miss Santa Clara County Fair was Sanda Bistline from Cupertino. Junior King and Queen were Allan Wasserman, 10, and Mary Gayle Foley, 10, 5th graders from San Jose Schools. The Exposition Hall was completed and had displays of fruit and vegetables, photographs, paintings, and all the preserves, cakes and quilts.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1232176163795024 Join in on the First Santa Clara County Virtual Jr. Livestock Auction this morning. Still time to become a buyer. Register at www.thefair.org

Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation - The 2020 Virtual Auction is happening now. Check it out and support our youth

Today is the anniversary of the 66th Annual Fair in 2010. Did you attend, volunteer, enter baked goods, jam or quilt in the stills exhibit, or have a livestock animal? The Fair dates were Aug 5-8, 2010. The theme was Steppin' Out With Your Boots On! The Lonnie Toensfeldt Memorial Junior Livestock Auction was Sunday, Aug 8. The Fair couldn't happen without the many hours of the dedicated volunteers.