For generations, the El Dorado County Fair has marked the arrival of summer in the Sierra foothills, bringing together agriculture, community, entertainment and family traditions that span decades. While visitors may come for the carnival rides, concerts or grandstand attractions, many return year after year because the fair remains one of the few places where nearly every aspect of El Dorado County life comes together under one roof.
Widely regarded as one of El Dorado County’s largest and most anticipated annual events, the fair draws visitors from throughout the region each summer and continues to serve as a showcase for the people, traditions and talents that help define the county.
Held at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds at 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville, the annual event returns June 18-21 under this year’s theme, “Good Ol’ Fashioned Fun,” bringing four days of live entertainment, livestock competitions, exhibit halls, carnival attractions, contests, grandstand events and family activities to the heart of the county.
For many families, attending the fair is an annual tradition that spans generations. Whether it’s visiting the livestock barns, cheering on contestants in the Wheelbarrow Races, browsing award-winning exhibits, enjoying a concert under the lights or simply sharing fair food on the midway, the event has become a summertime rite of passage for countless El Dorado County residents.
The annual event has long served as a showcase for the county’s agricultural roots, creative talents and community spirit. From livestock barns and auction rings to exhibit halls, concert stages and carnival midway attractions, fairgoers will find something happening around nearly every corner of the fairgrounds throughout the four-day run.
While live entertainment and grandstand events continue to attract large crowds, organizers say the fair remains deeply rooted in the traditions that helped build El Dorado County. That connection can be seen in the livestock barns, exhibit halls and auction rings where local youth and residents proudly display the results of months—and often years—of hard work.
One of the fair’s most cherished traditions remains the Junior Livestock Show and Auction, a longstanding showcase of the dedication, responsibility and agricultural skills developed by local youth through 4-H and Future Farmers of America programs.
Throughout the year, young exhibitors raise and care for market animals while learning lessons in animal husbandry, business management, responsibility and commitment. The fair provides an opportunity for those exhibitors to present their projects to the public while competing against their peers.
The experience culminates with the Junior Livestock Auction, where buyers have the opportunity to support local youth exhibitors while purchasing premium locally raised livestock. For many participants, the auction represents the culmination of months of work and serves as a meaningful milestone in their agricultural education.
The Junior Livestock Auction will take place Friday, June 19, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Auction Show Ring. Buyer registration is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Admission is free for buyers.
The livestock barns are only part of the story. The fair’s exhibit halls continue to showcase the creativity and talents of residents from throughout El Dorado County.
Competition exhibits provide opportunities for participants of all ages to display their skills and craftsmanship in a wide range of categories. Entries include Fine Art, Crafts, Clothing and Sewing, Canned and Dried Foods, Flowers and Plants, Minerals and Mining, Photography and numerous additional categories.
The exhibits have long been a favorite destination for fairgoers, offering a chance to view award-winning projects while celebrating the artistic, agricultural and creative talents found throughout the region. Organizers encourage community members to participate and share their work as part of one of the fair’s most enduring traditions.
Together, the livestock barns and exhibit halls continue to serve as the backbone of the fair, connecting visitors to the agricultural and creative traditions that have helped shape El Dorado County for generations.
While agriculture and exhibits remain at the heart of the fair, organizers are encouraging visitors not to simply attend the fair, but to become part of it through contests, competitions and hands-on activities offered throughout the four-day event.
Special events and contests throughout the celebration invite fairgoers to test their skills, compete for prizes and create lasting memories with family and friends. Returning attractions include Mutton Bustin’, the Pee Wee Rodeo, the John M. Studebaker Wheelbarrow Races, the Funnel Cake Eating Contest, Bubble Gum Blowing Contest, Family Look-a-Like Contest, daily game shows and opportunities to experience the Rubicon Challenge.
The Pee Wee Rodeo returns Friday, June 19, at 2 p.m. in Henningsen Arena, offering younger participants a chance to experience rodeo-style competition. Following the rodeo, Mutton Bustin’ once again gives adventurous youngsters an opportunity to climb aboard sheep and test their riding abilities in front of cheering crowds. Registration opened June 1 through the fair office, and participants must be present for weigh-ins.
Registration information for many contests and participation events can be found through the competitions section of the fair website.
These interactive events help transform visitors from spectators into participants, reinforcing the fair’s reputation as a hands-on community celebration rather than simply an entertainment event.
Beyond the contests and competitions, entertainment can be found throughout the fairgrounds from opening until closing each day. Roaming performers, animal attractions and family activities provide continuous entertainment between concerts, contests and exhibits.
Jeremy the Juggler will be traveling throughout the fairgrounds daily, entertaining visitors with his juggling skills and audience interaction. Families can also encounter Trixie the Magical Clown and the patriotic Uncle Sam and Miss Liberty Stilt Walkers from Animal Crackers Conspiracy during daily appearances.
The popular Racing Pigs return to the Main Lawn with races scheduled daily at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. An additional 12:30 p.m. race is scheduled Saturday.
Circus Imagination and Clown College also return as major family attractions. Circus performances are scheduled daily at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., while Clown College activities run from noon until 8 p.m. each day.
Families can also visit Freckle Farms Petting Zoo and Pony Rides on the Main Lawn. The attraction operates daily from noon until 9 p.m., with pony rides available for an additional fee.
For visitors seeking larger-scale action, several popular grandstand events return to the fair schedule.
The Truck and Steam Tractor Pulls roar into the grandstands Friday, June 19, beginning at 6 p.m. Gates and ticket booths open at 5 p.m. The event has become one of the fair’s most anticipated attractions, drawing competitors and spectators from throughout the region to witness powerful trucks and tractors battling for distance and bragging rights.
Saturday brings another fair tradition with the John M. Studebaker Wheelbarrow Races at 5 p.m. The unique competition has become one of the fair’s most recognizable events and is included with fair admission.
On Sunday, June 21, the Rubicon Challenge takes center stage in the grandstands beginning at 2 p.m. Included with fair admission, the challenge showcases off-road driving skills while giving participants the opportunity to test themselves and their vehicles.
While agriculture, exhibits and community traditions remain at the heart of the fair, live entertainment continues to be one of its biggest attractions, with dozens of performances scheduled across multiple stages throughout the four-day celebration.
Thursday’s entertainment lineup begins with the Miss El Dorado County Scholarship Pageant at 5:30 p.m. on the Mountain Valley Health Plan Stage. Earlier in the day, Road Crew Band brings country, country rock and variety cover tunes to the El Dorado Stampede Stage with performances at noon, 1:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Rhonda Lynn and Edgewood Station follow with country music favorites at 4 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., before The Last Call Band Nor Cal closes the evening with country and rock dance music at 8:15 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.
Entertainment continues across the fairgrounds Thursday as The Tritones perform R&B, Motown, blues and gypsy jazz at 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. on the El Dorado Hills Casino Stage. Group Therapy follows with classic rock and R&B at 4:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., while Jimmy and the Deadlies close the stage with surfer rock performances at 8:15 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
At the Red Hawk Resort & Casino Stage, Let the Horses Run Band performs western swing and traditional country at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Michelle Lambert follows with pop and country selections at 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., while Brisco County wraps up the evening with country dance favorites at 8 p.m., 9:15 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Friday’s entertainment schedule is highlighted by The Spazmatics, whose high-energy tribute to the music of the 1980s takes the Mountain Valley Health Plan Stage at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Elsewhere on the grounds, Frankie Soul and No Control perform classic rock, blues and soul at noon, 1:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. on the El Dorado Stampede Stage. The Junbugs bring their blend of high-energy pop and rock with Pacific Northwest folksy influences at 4 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., before Darth Mozart closes the stage with classic rock performances at 8:15 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.
The Red Hawk Resort & Casino Stage hosts Born and Raised Band performing modern blues rock and California rock at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. DJ Grant follows with party dance favorites and line dancing at 4:45 p.m., 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., while Shauna Lea & the Hired Guns close the evening with country and classic rock performances at 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Friday’s El Dorado Hills Casino Stage lineup features Tony Quinn Soloist at 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.; Smokin’ Violets at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.; and The CarTunes Band performing classic rock from the 1960s through the 1990s at 8:15 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.
Saturday’s entertainment schedule begins with the Miss El Dorado Little Royals Pageant at 10:30 a.m. on the El Dorado Stampede Stage. The Dried Mangos perform rock favorites at 5:30 p.m. on the Mountain Valley Health Plan Stage before Outlaw Mariachi delivers its unique blend of high-energy rock and traditional mariachi influences at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
The El Dorado Stampede Stage also hosts Dream and the Dreamer at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., followed by Southbound’s southern rock performances at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. One of Saturday night’s featured acts, North Forty, closes the stage with country dance favorites at 8:45 p.m., 9:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Red Hawk Resort & Casino Stage features Colton Mountain at 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; Line Dancing with Lynnette Souza at 1:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.; and Outlaws and Angels performing outlaw country favorites at 4:45 p.m., 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
Fools Gold rounds out Saturday’s entertainment on the El Dorado Hills Casino Stage with performances at 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.
Father’s Day closes the fair Sunday with another full day of entertainment. Encore performs classic rock and roll favorites at noon and 1:30 p.m. on the El Dorado Stampede Stage before Ride Captain Ride brings yacht rock classics to the stage at 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. The Rhythm Vandals conclude the weekend with classic rock performances at 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
DJ Grant returns to the Red Hawk Resort & Casino Stage at 2 p.m., 3:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. before Straight Shooters close the stage with Bad Company and 1970s rock favorites at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Sunday’s El Dorado Hills Casino Stage lineup features John Covert & Crystal Image at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., Heirloom at 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and Cadillac Rodeo performing 1990s country favorites at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
For visitors planning their trip, the fair opens Thursday and Friday from noon to midnight, Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. Carnival hours are noon to midnight Thursday and Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Several special admission promotions are scheduled throughout the event. Thursday serves as both Kids’ Day and Seniors’ Day, with free admission until 6:30 p.m. for children ages 12 and younger and adults ages 60 and older. Friday is Teen Day, offering free admission until 4 p.m. for ages 13 through 19. Children ages 6 and younger receive free admission throughout the fair.
Advance admission purchased through June 17 is $11.39 for adults ages 13 and older and $9.11 for juniors ages 7-12 and seniors ages 60 and older. During the fair, admission increases to $14.80 for adults and $12.53 for juniors and seniors. All listed prices include ticketing fees.
Season passes are available through June 17 for $31.88 for adults and $26.19 for juniors and seniors. Unlimited one-day carnival ride wristbands are available in advance for $39.32, while the Golden Ticket four-day unlimited ride wristband is available for $91.07.
A special Father’s Day Package valid Sunday is available for $52.78 and includes two general admission tickets, one junior admission ticket and one unlimited one-day carnival wristband. Children ages 6 and younger remain free.
Truck and Tractor Pull tickets are sold separately from fair admission. Advance grandstand tickets are $11.39 through June 17 and increase to $17.08 during the fair.
From the livestock barns and exhibit halls to the midway lights, concert stages and grandstand attractions, the El Dorado County Fair continues to offer a uniquely local celebration of agriculture, creativity, entertainment and community. Whether visitors come to support a young exhibitor at the livestock auction, compete in a contest, enjoy an evening concert or simply continue a family tradition, organizers say the goal remains the same as it has for generations: bringing the community together for four days of “Good Ol’ Fashioned Fun.”
For tickets, schedules, contest registration and additional information, visit the El Dorado County Fair website HERE.
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