Preliminary figures show paid attendance fell seven percent at this year’s Sonoma County Fair, with gate scans totaling just under 82,000.
The Press Democrat reports fair officials attribute the dip to a sluggish economy, local school start dates, and the loss of traditional horse racing. Vendors also reported slower weekday foot traffic, though the youth livestock auction set a record with over $2.7 million in gross sales.
Operators remain optimistic for a strong rebound next year as the fair moves back to its traditional mid-July schedule for 2027.