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West Sacramento News-Ledger

Yolo County Fair Opening Night Gala is Back

Jun 04, 2024 09:04AM ● By Yolo County Fair News Release

Food offerings are plentiful at the Yolo County Fair Opening Night Gala. Photo courtesy of Monique Garcia


YOLO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - This year’s theme is “Over the Moon” and we are truly over the moon to be back celebrating the Yolo County Fair Opening Night Gala and showcasing the Bounty of Yolo County! The Yolo County Fair is very excited to present this wonderful event, it’s such a fun way to kick off the fair, and fairgoers will not want to miss out on this unique experience to sample much of Yolo County’s bounty.

Since its conception in 2006, the Gala has made a name for itself as the place to be on the opening night of the fair. The Gala is scheduled on the first evening of the Fair, Wednesday, Aug. 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., an extra half-hour has been added to this year’s event to give guests more time to kick back and mingle with local community leaders, growers, and friends. Whether it is wine, beer, margaritas, olive oil, flavored vinegar, local honey, organic produce, fresh baked goods, or tastes of local restaurant fare, you will enjoy sampling while being entertained by the live acoustic music stylings of local band Little Wing, and running into others like you--it’s a party you will not want to miss.

“The Yolo County Fair Heritage Foundation is happy to be a sponsor of the Gala, it has become an important part of keeping the local communities of the county present at the Yolo County Fair. Fairs were originally designed for the members of local communities to come together and share their skills both in their hobbies and their essential works that kept things going and growing,” stated Darlene Thomsen, volunteer executive director of the Yolo County Fair Heritage Foundation.

Event Coordinator for the Gala, Monique Garcia, shared, “It has been a true honor to coordinate the Yolo County Fair Opening Night Gala. This event started by the Non-profit Capay Valley Vision and Capay Valley Grown was created to showcase Agriculture in Yolo County, and we have truly taken that to heart and continue to elevate the event every year. The local businesses being showcased are utilizing amazing local products or producing superior products right here, in Yolo County. We are thrilled to be back with our fabulous participants who have supported the gala over the years. We are utilizing a much larger space at the fairgrounds this year and are seeking additional local businesses to join us this year, in hopes of making this year’s event the biggest yet.”

If you’d like your local business to participate in this year's event, email event coordinator Garcia at [email protected].

“The Gala is my favorite kind of event,” said Elaine Yamaguchi, Yolo County Fair Board member. “It isn’t a fancy affair; people come as they are, sample some of the best of Yolo County’s products, and chat with old and new friends. It’s a great way to start the Fair, and I look forward to it every year.”

Tickets will be $35 each, on sale along with all of the fair’s featured events on July 8, online at https://www.yolocountyfair.net/p/tickets and available at the Fairgrounds office. The event sells out every year, so get your tickets early! The Yolo County Fair is the largest and oldest free-gate fair in California. We owe this continued success to the hundreds of dedicated volunteers, the support of the community, and our generous sponsors and partners. We hope to see you at the Gala! For more information, email event coordinator Garcia at [email protected] or contact the Fair Office by phone at 530-402-2222. Check out the Fair’s website at yolocountyfair.net for updates and program information or join the Facebook Event to receive updates.

Sponsorship opportunities are available.