This event was so much fun, I was really excited I had a free ticket to attend. So many vendors, trucks and booths. I took my time to narrow down my food options. I must say I'm already looking forward to the next Lumpia Festival. It was $10 to park, but it was so convenient and accessible who could complain. The heat knocked me down outside, I went inside to cool off and eat they had everything I needed under one roof. This was absolutely amazing!!!!! read more

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Went to the county fair. It's been a few years since I've been and still enjoyed myself. I always enjoy looking at the farm animals, though was surprised that there were no chickens, ducks, and other feathered friends. Going during the day is a must if you like going on the carnival rides. No lines. It's awesome. The flower displays were amazing. Also, there were a lot of interesting displays throughout all of the buildings. There's something for everyone. read more

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I love this fair, been going ever since we moved to SR, going on 20 plus years, I'm not reviewing the rides because I don't ride them anymore. So let's start with the flower show, always a great experience, the horse races were fun( no longer) the new tractor pull was fun. A nice big bar with the bird serving food inside, many great food options. Parking can be expensive, we uber, we always buy tixs in advance, save 7 dollars each. The animal and reptile exhibits are nice and the best ribbon exhibits are cool to look at ( bakery, photography, legos, quilts) read more

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I've been going to this fair or the fairgrounds in Santa Rosa since I was a child. It always feels safe and has all the goodies like the excellent fair food that everybody wants; You got your turkey legs, your corndogs, ice cream, funnel cakes, and deep-fried everything lol Our favorite is going to the horse track to get bandstand seating, watch the horse races, and make bets. They have their own food inside the betting area. We got smash burgers and garlic fries at Hop Monk delicious! Also, a bar area is right next to the smash burgers and garlic fries. You can get a delicious, delicious margarita on the rocks, another favorite of mine and my friends and family. It's a good time. Bring your friends, bring your family, and have a blast. It's only once a year, so be sure to look for me because I'll be there drinking my margarita and eating all that good junk food. SYOY cheers all read more

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I went to this location last month for their annual Hot Air Balloon festival. It was quite honestly a mid-level experience. Seeing the hot air balloon show was the highlight of the event, it eventually got too windy so no individual flights were allowed... we left pretty quickly into the event. It was from 4am-10:30am, I was gone by 7am. They had local food vendors that were very good but the lines were just too long. Definitely glad I brought me girlfriend along but more than likely won't attend again. Side note: parking and exiting was very quick read more

The first time I came here was for Emerald Cup in 2015. Since then I've gone back for the cup every year, which happens in December. 2018 cup is coming up in a couple weeks. The best growers, innovators, educators, entrepreneurs in the industry come from all over. Thank goodness we live in a state that mostly supports cannabis. This is the best type of event put on in the industry for the recreational and mmj patients alike. I'll be there again. Wouldn't miss it. I've also experienced the Sonoma County fair which was so much fun. Compared to other fairgrounds, I think the layout is really easy to get around. Great place for family events like the fair. I definitely want to check out other ones they do here. Sonoma is a beautiful place to live. The fairgrounds makes a nice addition to North Bay. read more

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This was my first year attending with my daughter. She had an absolute blast! What 5 year old wouldn't? Now when it comes to the adult interactions that she obviously would not understand, some of the employees were just downright rude and didn't give a flying Fuk about customer service. We bought 25 tickets to start, my mistake I should have bought the bracelet from the get. When we went to the ticket booth closest to the where the kids rides were I stood right at the window to purchase her the bracelet. The woman was on her cell phone. Paid no mind I was staring right at her. When she put the phone down, nothing out of her mouth. No, can I help you nothing. I asked to purchase the bracelet get done, no thank you, no enjoy your day no nothing. A worker that was doing the kids car ride didn't speak English, made no attempt to buckle in any of the kids. The worker on the tugboat ride was shoveling potato chips down his throat making the kids wait in line until he turned the lays chips tube upside down to get every single crumb out. As a parent it was quite frustrating but bottom line is my daughter had a really good time. I just dislike when you're in an environment that requires customer service to the public from employees and you get nothing. read more

Sonoma County Fairgrounds-Santa Rosa - Fair time! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

I attended the Saturday 6/4/22 event in Sonoma County Fair Grounds. It was big enough space for all the balloons there. At first we parked at the wrong place and wondered where's everyone, but then finally found the right spot by following the signs "EVENT PARKING" it didn't show where the disabled parking was but we saw it after parking at the main lot. It was a cold morning (the gate opened 3:50am although the event starts at 4am, so wake up earlier if you want to get a good parking). We were ready with blankets and hoodies. There were a lot of vendors for food and to keep your bellies full: coffee, hot cocoa, burgers, hotdogs and funnel cakes...there was even a vegan stall that served organic vegan coffee and such. Bathroom (decent) and porto-potties were available. At 5am most of the balloons (8-10 balloons at the time) were up. At 5:05am they started the Glow Show. It was magical for us first timers!!! Like every other review here there's not enough balloons to accommodate hundreds of people (so expect that, it's just facts) wanting to experience the tethered balloon rides. A lot of waiting in the line if you really wanted to do that. Weather permitting event always is depending on guess what? The weather. This time the balloons were not able to launch at the planned 6:30am because of the weather. We understood, it's for everyone's safety. All in all it was a great show. Will plan to do it again. read more

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Was here for Hall of Flowers and really enjoyed the atmosphere and layout. The facilities were basic but nice. They got us all in quick even doing a covid check. I would love to go back for the actual fair read more

Review #244 - 2018 This was my first time attending the county fair and I was prepared to walk until my feet fell off, which almost came true; but I decided to take a break half way through my four hour walk-a-thon. We showed up around 3 PM and it was burning hot. Thank goodness we all had our ice, cold drinks to help cool down some before entering the fair. Quite surprisingly, they allowed us to bring our drinks in which was very nice since most places nowadays won't let you bring your own food or beverages. There's definitely lots to do and see; but when you're dying out in the heat, you just want to stay inside a building with some shade and running fan as much as possible. My two older nieces went their own separate ways to ride the bigger kids's rides and we took the younger kids around to check out the flowers, lizards/animals, meet a veteran and watch the parade. We didn't want them to be out in the sun just yet so we did all the indoors stuff first. When we finally decided to go out and enjoy the kids's ride, I come to find out that most of the rides are made for kids that are taller than 36 inches, even if they're riding with an adult, so my poor baby only got to ride on the carousel once. This place is pretty nice, but I'm not sure if I'll be back. Although, my sister has taken her family here three years in a row so she must have really enjoyed it to invite me to come along this year. Plus, she only lives about 15 minutes away whereas I made a 1.5 hour drive out in the scorching heat. read more

Sonoma County Fairgrounds-Santa Rosa - 08/09/2018 - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

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Oh the famous Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Many locals are quite familiar with this spot, as it hosts countless events throughout the year. Events range from the famous cheese festival, dog and cat shows, emerald cup, horse races, the annual fair, etc. It really is a nice spot that almost anyone can find an event to attend, but we all know its downfalls. The most obvious downfall is the aged facilities and grounds, which they do small cosmetic changes time to time, but overall it could really use a complete overall. I am not offended by it in the least, just pointing out the main downfall, but another could be the limited parking during large events (Country summer comes to mind). They have two large lots, but can fill up quick, so most end up having to park in overflow or on the street in a residential neighborhood (Sucks for the residents nearby). If you are unfamiliar with the grounds, it can be confusing to navigate though as you can enter in many different entrances, and once crowded it can be hard locating your final destination. To sum it all up, the Sonoma County Fairgrounds serves its purpose in providing local and distant guests a nice location to attend an event, but it could be improved compared to some other fairgrounds I have visited. read more

I saw an online ad for the Artisan Cheese Festival taking place at the end of March 2023 and was so excited purchase tickets to attend until I went to the fairgrounds website and saw the list of prohibited items and guest conduct. Extremely authoritarian. They will tell you its for your own safety when really you feel like being in an HOA with a bunch of nonsensical rules made by stuffy people. Stay away from this highly toxic venue and environment. read more

Attended the California Deer Association banquet dinner tonight. This event is always great! My husband and I have been attending for several years now. Great way to support a fantastic cause!! read more

Sonoma County Fairgrounds-Santa Rosa - California Deer Association Banquet!! Let's win a gun!!! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

THE RACETRACK CAN BE LIKE DEL MAR AND SARATOGA IN THE SUMMER RACING SCENE "Where Horse Racing is Fine like Wine" During the summer the events people love to go to are the county fairs. I felt the best county fairs in the Bay Area tended to be those where there is live horse racing. The best county I had been to was the San Mateo County when the used to be live horse racing at Bay Meadows. When that racetrack closed there weren't a lot of county fairs in Northern California that had venues for live horse racing. Just this year alone the racetrack in Stockton will closed down where there will be no more live horse racing. Think of all the Bay Area counties such as San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Marin, Solano, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Napa only Alameda (Pleasanton) and Sonoma (Santa Rosa) having live horse racing at their county fairs. (Besides the San Mateo County Fair the Solano County Fair in Vallejo used to host live horse racing until the racetrack closed in 2009.) Even though I liked to watch horse racing at county fairs I agree with Bay Area's leading thoroughbred trainer Jerry Hollendorfer that the circuit county fair horse racing has hurt the quality of horse racing in Northern California. I feel one of the reasons why is that most circuit county fair horse racing do not have grass racing as normal thoroughbred racetracks. However I do think there's one racetrack in the Bay Area that could help the quality of horse racing during the summer. A prominent thoroughbred handicapper (I forgot the name) said if not for summer racing in Del Mar, CA or Saratoga Springs, New York he definitely go to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa for summer racing. I agree with his assessment. The Sonoma County Fairgrounds has an elegance atmosphere that is appropriate for summer racing. Whereas Del Mar Racetrack's motto odds "Where the Surf Meets the Turf" since that racetrack is next to the beach, due to the proximity of the Sonoma County Fairgrounds to Wine County the motto should be "Where Horse Racing is Fine like Wine". Unlike Solano and Alameda County Fairgrounds there is live horse grass racing at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. I feel that the grass racing adds an elegance to the summer atmosphere. Statistics have shown when racetracks in this country have run horse racing during specific seasons instead of year round those racetracks tend to do better in attendance and wagering. That's why racetracks such as Del Mar in Del Mar, CA, Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, NY, and Monmouth Park in Oceanport, NJ are popular because they run live horse racing only during the summer. During the summer in the Bay Area there are popular festivities such as festivals and county fairs that people attend. I also feel what would make an interesting yet lively summer event in the Bay Area is if there is live horse racing for two months at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. read more

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It's a fairgrounds .. nothing spectacular, but depending on the time of year it can be a bit treacherous. Been rained out, walked on planks that sank into the mud. Hopefully the emerald cup in December of this year doesn't get soaked again. The parking can be a longer walk than you bargained for, so consider taking an Uber/Lyft/cab read more

Sonoma County Fairgrounds-Santa Rosa - Hall of flowers with Seed to Soul Cannabis - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

The Sonoma County Fairgrounds is not only for the fair and barn animals. But also provides a venue for a variety for events. The Sonoma County Fair comes annually. Each year with a theme that changes. The fair is in our home town for about 3 weeks and is closed on Mondays. Enjoy a corn dog and sit back at the track. Or grab a cold brew and walk through the hall of flowers. There is a lot of live stock to visit. You can go to the clover stand for a free ice cream cone and you make your way back to the bunnies, swine house and cows. You might catch the sheep shearing in action on your way. The Grace Pavilion provides a variey of shopping for your preferred interests. Sonoma County Fairgrounds is also is also home to the annual Harvest Fair. On the off season, you can go enjoy the dogs running at the agility trials, watch a cat show in February. Explore the Emerald Cannabis Cup in December. Mothers can meet and shop during the baby expo. Or you can find your favorite Rock Hound buddy and hunt at the gem fair. The list goes on and on....... read more

Sonoma County Fairgrounds-Santa Rosa - The Emerald Cup 2016 - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

Even thought the host did awesome with their party the building lack on air conditioner. The ambiance was so miserable. Everyone was using paper plates to cool down themselves. I hope the rent for this place wasn't much since it sucks with out acc. read more

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5 stars for the Heirloom Expo, 4 stars for the fairgrounds. We came here from out of town for our first experience. The signage for the fairgrounds, from the freeway is pretty minimal compared to other fairgrounds we've been to, so plan on really knowing where you are going before coming here. The parking? $10 and we were lucky to get there early enough to find a spot not too far away. The expo halls are abundant and during this heat wave we were happy to have AC. The bandstand was great but there was definitely a shortage of picnic tables for areas to eat around the food vendors. Both in the main area and not far from the barn. Speaking of the barn, maybe the heat was unexpected or unusual but I felt bad for the animals who looked like they were overheating as well. Maybe they could set up some misters or something to make it more comfortable for them? As far as the size, this place is huge.With my health challenges, I knew that I couldn't walk it, so I called the grounds to inquire about wheel chair rentals.The operator said that they didn't do them for this event, so I brought my own (picked one up for cheap on Craigslist). The grounds were very friendly/accessible. Thank you!! It was easy to get around and we had a great time. read more

3.5* Sonoma County Fairgrounds Golf Cute little 9 hole executive course in the middle of a race track Need to drive to the middle of race track and walk across the race track Friendly pro shop $12 weekday rate for seniors for 18 holes (2 nine holes, green and white tees) Mostly par 3's; two water holes Fun read more

Very clean RV area with full hook ups. However, sites are not available during the fair season. Not much to look at but well maintained and good enough for a stopping point since the Walmart in town does not allow overnite parking. read more

Sonoma County Fairgrounds-Santa Rosa - Can't stop here when the fair is in session but a good spot since he Walmart here does not allow overnite - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

Sonoran Dog & Horse Racing.....my life is complete :) read more

Sonoma County Fairgrounds-Santa Rosa - Sonoran hot dog! YUM! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

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The fairgrounds is a Sonoma County staple. It hosts the Sonoma County Fair in the summer, the Harvest Fair in the fall, and lots of concerts and events throughout the year. Year-round there is the Jockey Club and the Sonoma County Fairgrounds Golf Course. The fairgrounds is everything you'd expect from a fairgrounds. The facilities are fine for the events that take place here. There is ample parking on the grounds and in the surrounding neighborhoods. It can get a bit dusty on the grounds just as a heads up! read more

Sonoma County Fairgrounds-Santa Rosa - Fourth of July at the fairgrounds - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

I drive 30 miles to the fairgrounds to practice my swing and was greeted with a grumpy, rude man that sucked the fun out of the game. Customers were talking about him outside after a less than desirable interaction. Too bad for the fairgrounds to have such a representative. I'd return if it weren't for such a jerk. read more

Stupid Jockey Club (Michele) says it will be open this weekend when fires are better!! I think she has the brain of a moron. Obviously, fires are barely contained. read more

No AC @ the SANTA ROSA TOY CON ( 29 June 2013 ) = MASSIVE FAIL.People were leaving and NOT buying anything due to the heat.

The Sonoma County fairgrounds put our DelMar fairgrounds to shame. They have a ton of parking so you don't have to walk miles and miles to get in and they have a ton of great events. We recently came up to check out the Seed expo which was phenomenal and i enjoyed every bit of it. Its lush and green and there is plenty of shade to sit and enjoy a meal or just walk around. The exhibit halls were all clean and roomy, there was a ton of space for many different things. It was beautiful and I can't wait to go back! read more

This review is only for the Dinosaur exhibit that they had allowed to feature in the Fairgrounds. It was the worst show I have ever taken my kids to. If it as free, I still wouldn't give it a star. For entrance fees, they charged Kids $25 each and adults $20!!! For that price, I thought it would be full entertainment for my 10-year-old twin boys. I should've suspected something because st the door, as you pay, they had a sign on the table saying "NO REFUND". Who does that? Unless people have in the past complained what a rip off it was and they KNEW that they were putting on a bad show and charging an arm and a leg for it. They had mechanical Dinosaurs that looked so much like plastic toys, (just a lot bigger) with just the heads moving and some with arms moving. Then, you go to another area in the same building and they had some rides made for toddlers with 3 dinosaurs that don't move ( just the heads) while the kids just sit there for 3 minutes looking so bored. For that they charge an EXTRA $5!! They had a couple of tiny cars for again little kids and charge $5 for that too. What the heck? In the back outside, they had put 3 bouncy houses that didn't allow my kids because they're for ages 4-6. There was one that they could've gone to, but they had to wait and it didn't look exciting to them so we ended up leaving. I complained to the cashier in front and told her that they should advice people that it's better for young kids. I told her we were there for 5 minutes and now leaving and would like our money back since my kids were not allowed to do anything in there. Of course she points at the sign "NO REFUND " and I asked for the manager. She said he wasn't there and gave me his phone number. I left 2 messages and NEVER heard back. I spent $70 for a 10 minute walk through and my kids were very upset and disappointed. The biggest rip off ever. Especially ripping off kids is the lowest. T read more

Sit and relax as the cows moo and the pigs grunt. There are plenty of tree lined boulevards to dine on the food trucks serving their brand of fair fare. And you can still order a cherry snow cone dripping with syrup and so good they serve it with a straw. And the soft tacos are the bomb. One ticket for all midway rides is so nice and close by parking is the kicker. read more

Not very friendly towards horse events to be held at the fair. Expensive and arguments to make it work. Waste of horse facilities when fair is not in season. Didn't really open grounds to rescue operations such as the valley fire. I miss those days when we could just go to the fair to use the arena to ride, exercise, train horses. We could benefit a public arena with cover for community to use and horse clubs to use when their own arenas is too wet. read more