History of Tehama District Fair (30^th DAA)

Information for 75^th Anniversary - July 13, 14, 15 & 16, 1995

Resolution Presented by Senator Maurice Johannessen

The officials of the Fair from 1921 - 1926 were as follows:

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The first minutes of the 30th District Agricultural Association were recorded on May 21, 1927.  At this meeting J. F. Eller was elected as Secretary/Treasurer and the Tehama County Fair dates were set for September 28, 29, 30, and October 1, 1927.

On May 28, 1927 the Board met to discuss the Fair budget.  A budget of $2,600.00 was approved for fair expenses and $1,500.00 for premium money.  The price for a family admission ticket was $3.00; single adult admission was 50¢; admission for children 6 through 16 years of age was 25¢.  There are no records of the Fair attendance, but it is guesstimated at 1,000 to 1,500 paid attendance.

On June 21, 1929 the Board changed the Fair dates to September 28 and 29, 1929.    On June 29, 1929 the Board met to discuss the Fair budget.  A budget of $3,410.00 was approved for fair expenses and $1,250.00 for premium money.  The price for a single adult admission ticket was 50¢ and 25¢ for children 6 through 12.  There are no records of the Fair attendance, but it is also guesstimated at 1,000 to 1,500 paid attendance.

During this period of time the last recorded meeting of the Board is on June 29, 1929.  Minutes are recorded 4 years later on August 29, 1933 stating Donald M. Smith is the newly elected Secretary/Treasurer.

On May 25, 1939 Jens Pedersen was elected Secretary/Treasurer and held this position until his death in 1945.  On March 30, 1945 Mrs. Helen Hickman was elected Secretary/Treasure to replace Jens Pedersen after his death.  On August 6, 1945 A. E. Snider, Chief, Division of Fairs and Expositions, stated a Manager should be hired to look after anticipated improvements to fairgrounds.  Sam Ayers was appointed as Manager sometime between August 6, 1945 and  September 24, 1945 and held this position until October 22, 1946.  On February 26, 1946 George F. Blake was elected Secretary/Treasurer.  At the October 22, 1946 Board meeting, the Directors felt that due to the large improvement program planned for 1947 that it would require all of Mr. Blake’s time, so in order to have a more efficient organization the Board felt Mr. Blake should be appointed Secretary/Manager effective November 1, 1946.  Mr. Blake held this position until his resignation effective March 15, 1949.  Mrs. Edith Blake was appointed at this time as acting Secretary/Manager until a new manager was selected. Sam Ayers was retained as Construction Superintendent.   R. R. “George” Noble was appointed the new Secretary/Manager effective June 21, 1949 and held this position until 1951.  Secretary/Managers after 1951 are as follows:

Many improvements were made to the fairgrounds in 1946 and 1947.  Additional livestock barns were constructed, perimeter of the fairgrounds was completely fenced, additional pipe line was laid, a new exhibit building and a new grandstand were constructed.  Throughout the years to follow many more improvements were made to the fairgrounds by constructing new buildings, upgrading existing structures, purchasing more land for additional expansion, paving parking areas and roadways, landscaping, and horse stalls.  Today the Tehama District Fair stands on 93 acres with ten (10) major buildings containing 187,000 square feet of space.  The main grandstand seats 2,800 with bleacher seating accommodating 5,000.  There is a ½ mile race track, 146 horse stalls, parking to accommodate 5,300 and 90 RV hook-ups.  The Fair’s major interim events are Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale in January and the Red Bluff Round-Up in April.  The Red Bluff Round-Up has been associated with the Fair since the 1920's.  The Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale has been held at the fairgrounds since 1941.

Admission fees for the 1954 Fair remained the same as the 1929 admission fees; adults 50¢ and children 12 and under 25¢.   Fair admission prices have changed over the years since 1954.  Admission fees for the 1961 Fair were $1.00 for adults, 50¢ for children 6 through 14, and children under 6 free.  Admission fees for the 1979 Fair were $2.50 for adults, $1.00 for children 6 through 14, and children under 6 free.  Admission fees for the 1986 Fair were $3.75 for adults, $1.00 for children 6 through 14, and children under 6 free.  Admission fees for the 1988 Fair were $4.00 for adults, $1.50 for children 6 through 14, and children under 6 free.  Admission fees for the 1990 Fair were $4.00 for adults, $2.00 for children 6 through 12, and children under 6 free.  Admission fees for the 1992 Fair were $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for children 6 through 12, and children under 6 free.  Admission fees for the 1995 Fair are $6.00 for adults, $2.00 for children 6 through 14, and children under 6 free.  Fair attendance has increased over the years since 1921 and is presently at 20,000 paid attendance.

On October 18, 1951 the 1952 Fair dates were set for August 15, 16 and 17, 1952, and remained in August through 1957.  On December 4, 1957 the 1958 Fair dates were changed to July 24, 25 and 26, 1958.  On August 7, 1958 tentative Fair dates for 1959 were set as follows: First choice 3^rd weekend in August 1959; Second choice 2^nd weekend in August 1959.  On September 4, 1958 the 1959 Fair dates were set for August 6, 7 and 8, 1959, and remained in August through 1966.  On October 6, 1966 the 1967 Fair dates were set for July 20, 21 and 22, 1967 (the 3^rd weekend in July) and remained in July through 1980.  On May 13, 1980 the 1981 Fair dates were changed to June 25, 26, 27 and 28, 1981 (4^th weekend in June).  On August 11, 1981 the 1982 Fair dates were changed to July 22, 23, 24 and 25, 1982 (3^rd weekend in July) where they remain today.

It was first noted the Tehama County Fair was renamed Tehama Totem Fair in 1963.  The exact date of the name change was approved is unknown.  Sometime in 1971 the Fair name was changed back to the Tehama County Fair.  On January 13, 1981, the Board of Directors approved the Fair’s name change to Sun Country Fair.   The current Board of Directors approved the new Fair name of Tehama District Fair on August 16, 1994.  The name change was made in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Fair in 1995.   The 75th anniversary is in celebration of the first fair held in 1921.