Taking advantage of the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the annual Santa Barbara County Fair has added three days this year to create a two-part event.
The fair, with the theme “Stars, Stripes and American Nights” at the Santa Maria Fairpark, will be open Friday through Sunday.
After closing for two days, the fair will resume for the typical five days, July 8-12.
Fairpark CEO Todd Ventura said the fair was split because of the Fourth of July weekend colliding with the 250th anniversary of the United States.
“By just having that extended run, it gives everybody more availability and more time to enjoy the fair,” Ventura said. “If you’re busy one weekend, then maybe you can come the next weekend.”
The gates will be open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from noon to 10 p.m. on weekends.
Participants can expect traditional fair attractions such as 60 carnival rides and games, food vendors and commercial vendors.
However, 4-H, Grange, FFA and other independent youth exhibitors won’t arrive with their agricultural and livestock projects for the annual competition until early next week.
The biggest thing participants can expect this year is “change,” Ventura said, adding that organizers have reprogrammed the entire layout.
Ventura noted that a goal for 2026 aimed at lowering prices compared with last year to improve access for attendees.
Fair tickets are $4 on the Fourth of July for all ages. On July 8, tickets will cost $5 before 5 p.m., while senior citizens will be admitted for free.
Otherwise, general admission ticket prices have been reduced to $12 compared with $17 last year.
“We want the fair to be a community event, and we want the fairpark to be accessible. Economically, a lot of people are challenged right now, so one thing that we can do to help that out is lower some prices and try to make things easier for people to attend,” Ventura said.
During both periods, the fair will include still exhibits, including fine arts, homemade wine, photography and more.
Both Sundays are designated “Fiesta Day” with a variety of Latino performers, including Jaripeo, Banda MP, Clave Privada, Banda Maguey and Los Caimanes De Sinaloa.
Next week, the fair’s concert series performers will include alternative rock band Everclear and special guest Billy Williams on Thursday, while country artist Dylan Scott and Moonshine Crazy will hit the stage Friday.
On Saturday, country artist Rodney Atkins will perform along with Pryor Baird, who grew up in Orcutt and competed on “The Voice” during the competitive reality show’s Season 14.
In addition to free grandstand seating with paid admission to the fair, this year’s event includes a VIP section, with those tickets ranging from $15 to $40 depending on the seat.
Among other improvements, a new public parking lot has been made available off of Depot Street, adding 428 spaces, along with a new entrance at the back of the fairgrounds.
In addition, a new self-service ticket kiosk intends to reduce the wait time at the entrance. Wi-Fi access also will be available on site.
Ventura said the ultimate goal this year was to reimagine the fair in a way that is “more in line with what our community wants and believes.”
“The thing I most look forward to is people coming in and looking at all that they have with the change, the excitement that it’s going to bring,” Ventura said.
For additional information, ticket sales and event schedules are available on the Santa Maria Fairpark website.