Return of annual festivities ‘better than normal’
After being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Butte County Fair returns this weekend with food, livestock showings, carnival rides and live entertainment.
The annual fair will open to the public at 4 p.m. today and wrap things up at 11 p.m. Sunday at the 199 E. Hazel St. fairgrounds in Gridley. Featured this year is the Midway of Fun Carnival, a demolition derby, puppet shows and big wheel races. General admission tickets are $12 while some events will require additional tickets. One-day unlimited carnival wristbands may be purchased for $35.
Butte County Fair CEO Stephen Kenny said the return of the fair was about making things feel “normal.”
“The object here was to make it normal, but it’s better than normal. It’s in the details that it’s better
than normal,” Kenny said. “We’ve had a lot of time to work on some things and make things a lot crisper.”
Kenny said one new change to the fair is the main gate entrance has been changed. What was formally the main gate in the ‘90s is once again being used.
“Our old main gate is now the new main gate,” Kenny said. “That’s kind of what we’re trying to do all the way through — improve the facility and experience for the guests.”
Livestock will be on display throughout the weekend. Included are lambs, cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys and rabbits. Fair-goers will be able to walk through the barns and view the animals.
Gridley High School’s Future Farmers of America adviser Matt Reed is serving as the fair’s livestock secretary this year. Between showings of pygmy goats, Reed said it was a great feeling to be back at the fair after last year’s cancellation.
“We’re excited to be back and we’re excited to have kids in the barn,” Reed said. “Entries are good this year for what’s been going on with pandemic so it’s exciting to see the entries are up too.”
Reed said every species typically seen at the fair has entered into competition. He added prior to the opening of the fair, some competitions for livestock are being held.
“It’s a great experience for the kids and we’re excited the communities back involved in doing what they’re supposed to be doing, showing animals and letting the youth do their thing,” Reed said.
The Butte County Fair is located at 199 E. Hazel St. in Gridley and will be open 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday; 3 p.m. to midnight Friday; noon to midnight Saturday; and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, contact the Butte County Fair at 846-3626 or visit the website at https://buttecountyfair.org.