Matt Reed, Butte County Fair Ceo, speaks to Gridley Rotary Club regarding upcoming events and other upgrades at the fairgrounds expected for the year. Photo by Seti Long

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - As the year moves toward spring and warmer weather, annual activities and events are preparing for their 2026 premiere, including the Butte County Fair.

Butte County Fair CEO Matt Reed briefed Gridley Rotary Club members on some of the events coming up at the fairgrounds, available partnerships and what can be expected at the 2026 county fair.

Reed spoke about upcoming events such as the Monster Truck Show that will be held in the grandstands on April 11, and the new Gridley Gearhead Classic Car Show scheduled for June 20.

Reed reminded the group of businesspeople that the Butte County Fair operates as a nonprofit, so interim events are key to the health of the fairgrounds. Reed has been championing and expanding event offerings, which can be challenging due to the size of Gridley and rival fairgrounds in larger metro areas such as Chico and Yuba City.

Meanwhile, planning for the fair continues.

One of the most notable potential changes Reed discussed was that Butte County Fair board members are considering a date change for the 2027 fair. Board members are considering potentially moving the fair to the second week in August, which is listed on their March 10, 2026, agenda.

Reed said the mentality behind the possible date change would be to give students who participate in animal showing and auctions additional time before the start of the school year to prepare.

Traditionally, the fair is held at the end of August, with students going straight from fair weekend into their first day of school the following Monday.

“We’re trying to separate from school start,” said Reed.

There are some caveats to that plan, concerning the “loop,” or E. Hazel Street, that runs in front of the main entrance to the grounds and around in front of Gridley High School, which is owned by the fairgrounds.

Reed explained that if the fair board voted to move the dates of the fair, the school was planning to advance its start date, beginning earlier than the last week of August, which Gridley Unified School District has been doing for more than 40 years.

“There are some issues… If we move up, school’s following us and they’re moving up with us,” said Reed, explaining that the fairgrounds owns the streets in front of the school and that passage cannot be made during fair time.

“Do we rock the boat by moving or do we stay with the quirks and continue our path?” questioned Reed.

Changing the fair dates also creates other concerns, notably weather conditions that can exceed 100 degrees during August. High temperatures typically do not yield high carnival attendance, Reed said.

To combat potential heat issues, the fairgrounds has had air conditioning installed in Farmers Hall.

Other changes at the Butte County Fair will be seen at the grandstands, with the free Becker-Mardesich Team Roping event kicking off the festivities on Friday.

“Last year we had 100 teams,” said Reed of participation turnout for the event. The event will begin earlier, with preliminary rounds held throughout the day so that all teams have a chance to participate.

Saturday night, the Butte County Fair will host a new sport at the grandstands, flat-track motorcycle racing, followed by the Destruction Derby on Sunday night.

Join the Butte County Fair, themed “Golden Days & Country Ways,” Aug. 27-30. Information on upcoming events and how to participate in the Butte County Fair is available at buttecountyfair.org.