History of California State Fair in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 12, 2025

The California State Fair (CSF), held annually at Cal Expo in Sacramento, is a 17-day event celebrating California's diverse industries, agriculture, and population. The fair includes award-winning animal exhibits, food and beverage, live music, a carnival, and nightly fireworks. Daily attendance ranges from 20,000 to 60,000 people, with food and beverage expenditures reaching approximately $8.5 million in 2018. The California Exposition and State Fair Police provide security for the event.

1909: Fairground Relocation

In 1909, the California State Fairground moved to a new 80-acre site just outside Sacramento city limits, northeast of the intersection of Stockton Boulevard and Broadway.

1915: Closure due to Panama–Pacific International Exposition

In 1915, the California State Fair was closed due to the Panama–Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco.

1917: Closure due to World War I

In 1917, the California State Fair was closed due to World War I.

1918: Closure due to World War I

In 1918, the California State Fair was closed due to World War I.

1922: Demolition of Agricultural Hall

In 1922, the original Agricultural Hall (1859) was torn down.

1937: Fairground Expansion

In 1937, the California State Fairground was expanded to 155 acres.

1942: Fair Discontinued for Military Purposes

From 1942, the California State Fair was discontinued while the site was used for military purposes in World War II.

1942: Closure due to World War II

In 1942, the California State Fair was closed due to World War II.

1947: Closure due to World War II

In 1947, the California State Fair was closed due to World War II.

1947: Fair Discontinued for Military Purposes

Until 1947, the California State Fair was discontinued while the site was used for military purposes in World War II.

1948: State Purchase of Cal Expo Site

In 1948, the state bought the Cal Expo site, encompassing approximately 1,000 acres.

1954: Sacramento County Fair Moved to Stockton Boulevard Site

In 1954, the Sacramento County Fair moved from Galt to the Stockton Boulevard site.

1963: Construction Began on New Fairground Site

In 1963, construction began on a new fairground site with a budget of $33 million.

1968: Installation of Monorail System

In 1968, a permanent monorail system designed by Habegger Maschinenfabrik and built by Universal Mobility, Inc. was installed at the California State Fairgrounds.

1968: State Fair Moved to Cal Expo

In 1968, the California State Fair moved to its current location north of the American River at Cal Expo.

1969: Hersheypark Monorail Installation

In 1969, the UNIMOBIL Type II minirail design was installed at Hersheypark.

1971: Magic Mountain Monorail Installation

In 1971, the UNIMOBIL Type II minirail design was installed at Magic Mountain.

2001: California State Fair Recognized as Fifth Most Visited

In 2001, California's state fair was recognized as the fifth most visited state fair, with cumulative attendance exceeding one million people.

2001: Sale of Monorail Trams to Magic Mountain

In 2001, two of the six monorail trams were sold to Magic Mountain before that park wound down its monorail operations.

2008: Attendance Figures

In 2008, the California State Fair attracted 790,000 attendees.

2009: Butler Amusements Takes Over Rides and Games

Since 2009, Rides and Games at California State Fair have been operated by Butler Amusements.

2010: Fair Schedule Adjustment

Starting in 2010, the California State Fair was held starting in mid-July because Sacramento schools are starting the school year in August, affecting State Fair attendance. Previously, the event was held annually beginning in mid-August and closing Labor Day weekend.

2018: Daily attendance and expenditures

In 2018, the California State Fair reported daily attendance between 20,000 and 60,000 people, with food and beverage expenditures reaching approximately $8.5 million.

April 24, 2020: Cancellation of 2020 Fair

On April 24, 2020, it was announced that the California State Fair for 2020 had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: CSF Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, the California State Fair was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in California, causing approximately $16 million in revenue losses and impacting over 800 seasonal workers. The Cal Expo site served as a temporary Covid-19 testing site, homeless trailer site, and a partner during wildfires.

2021: Postponement of Fair in 2021

In 2021, California State Fair was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: CSF Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2021, the California State Fair was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in California. The Cal Expo site served as a temporary Covid-19 testing site, homeless trailer site, and a partner during wildfires.