Despite the drop in overall fair attendance, the community’s unwavering support for youth programs like the Junior Livestock Auction signals a desire to preserve local traditions. Logo courtesy of Butte County Fair

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Butte County Fair is a beloved tradition, but behind the cotton candy and carnival lights lies a sobering truth: it takes more than nostalgia to keep the fairgrounds alive.

The Gridley Fairgrounds span 26 acres and once served as a military base during World War II before becoming a year-round hub for agriculture, youth development and emergency response. Today, the fairgrounds host dog shows, fly ball competitions, concerts, weddings, quinceañeras and private events. Yet, activity alone is not enough to sustain the site, said Chief Executive Officer Matt Reed. The fairgrounds need more than scattered bookings, but community sponsored events that Gridley residents are willing to host, plan and attend year after year, with the kind of commitment that keeps the grounds open long after the carnival leaves.

“We’re not just planning a four-day event,” Reed said. “We’re trying to keep a 26-acre facility running year-round with minimal staff and unpredictable revenue.”

This year’s fair experienced a 28% drop in attendance, with only about 11,000 visitors over four days, well below the usual 15,000 to 17,000. Reed attributed the decline to relentless heat, which reached 103 degrees daily, and to shifting consumer habits, as families tighten budgets and increasingly prioritize digital entertainment, travel, or other outings over local events.

One event, however, bucked the trend. The Junior Livestock Auction increased about 11.2% to approximately $794,000, up $80,000 from the previous year with only 265 animals sold.

“We were up, which was great, but that money goes back to the kids,” Reed said.

The Junior Livestock Auction primarily benefits 4-H and FFA participants, with nearly all proceeds going directly to the youth who raised the animals. While the fair facilitates the auction, it typically receives only a small percentage to cover basic costs.

The Destruction Derby in August drew solid crowds, and team roping remained popular, especially as the only arena event not ticketed. Some events had fewer attendees, and Reed said new insurance and liability issues might force future cancellations of some interactive events.

“The fair itself very rarely covers the cost of the fairgrounds,” Reed said. “What keeps us afloat all year is the fact that we basically run on a staff of three.”

Unlike state-run District Agricultural Associations, the Butte County Fair operates as a nonprofit. The county provides the land, but no operating budget.

“We get zero money from the budgeted item,” Reed said. “Only emergency funds if needed, with a six-month wait.”

The facility does receive some state racing funds but rely on competitive grants, off-season rentals, and community donations to stay afloat.

“We try to keep our rental fees right under Chico and Yuba City so that people have a reason to come here,” Reed said. “The fair is open year-round for rentals and other events.”

Volunteerism remains critical, but participation has declined in recent years. In an agricultural community where many residents work six days a week, finding time to volunteer has become increasingly difficult. Volunteers, who once ran the gates, were the first familiar faces people saw before enjoying what the fair had to offer. Without them, the fair lost more than labor - it lost part of its identity.

“We have a volunteer day, one of our bigger events, where about 250 to 300 people come from the community,” Reed said, noting that LDS groups, 4-H clubs and FFA chapters still show up to paint, repair and refresh the grounds. But the steady, year-round help has waned.

The lack of nearby hotels also limits the ability to attract multi-day or large-scale events.

“We don’t have hotels here,” Reed said. “Until the population reaches 10,000, you do not get hotels. We are probably sitting right at 8,000 people, so we need growth.”

The fairgrounds have served as emergency shelters during past disasters, but FEMA funding from the Camp Fire - nearly $500,000 - has been expended, leaving limited resources for future infrastructure upgrades.

“I’ve told my board, no more projects until we find grant funding,” Reed said. “Back in the day, they would say, ‘Here’s the money.’ Now, you go through nine months of review, then approval and then you show all the work you’ve done.”

Despite the drop in overall fair attendance, the community’s unwavering support for youth programs like the Junior Livestock Auction signals a desire to preserve local traditions, making new, family-friendly events an essential part of that effort.

Plans are underway to organize a community inclusive tractor pull and a standalone rodeo outside of fair season. One idea gaining traction is a low-cost, ticketed drive-in movie night, a nostalgic offering aimed at reconnecting younger generations with a piece of Americana. Once a staple of small-town life, drive-ins brought families, couples and dating teens together under the stars. Reviving that tradition, even briefly, could offer affordable entertainment while honoring the past.

“This is part of American history that young people should be able to experience at least once,” Reed said.

The fairgrounds include Farmers Hall, the largest building on site, and host a mix of interior commercial vendors, grounds vendors and food vendors. The board overseeing operations has eight members, all appointed by county supervisors.

The annual Holiday Jubilee has moved to Nov. 15 at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Gridley now that the Butte County Fairgrounds Association has taken over management of that facility. With multiple venues now under local stewardship, there’s hope that residents will continue to utilize both spaces for private celebrations and community events that keep Gridley’s spirit alive.