Annual tradition in nearby Roseville celebrates Placer County’s 175th anniversary with free concerts, racing pigs, circus acts, carnival attractions and agricultural showcases
ROSEVILLE – The sights, sounds and flavors of one of the region’s most anticipated summer traditions return this week as the 88th annual Placer County Fair opens Thursday at @the Grounds in Roseville.
Running June 25 through June 28, the four-day celebration will once again transform the fairgrounds into a bustling showcase of entertainment, agriculture, community pride and family fun. This year’s event carries added significance as it coincides with the 175th anniversary of Placer County, bringing together the county’s rich agricultural heritage and modern-day attractions in one of Northern California’s largest annual community gatherings.
The fair will be open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy free concerts, carnival rides, livestock competitions, family attractions, educational exhibits, community performances, contests, fair food and a variety of special events spread across the expansive fairgrounds.
Music Takes Center Stage
One of the fair’s biggest attractions each year is its free concert series, and organizers have assembled a diverse lineup of performers that spans everything from country and rock to dance music and tribute acts.
The music begins Thursday evening when Garden Groove takes the stage at 6 p.m., followed by Uptown Funk at 8:30 p.m. Known for recreating the energy and excitement of a Bruno Mars concert experience, Uptown Funk has become one of the most sought-after tribute acts in the country and is expected to draw one of the fair’s largest opening-night crowds.
Friday’s entertainment lineup features Guilty As Charged with performances at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. before Wonderbread 5 takes over the Attaway Pavilion at 8:30 p.m. A Northern California favorite for decades, Wonderbread 5 is known for its colorful costumes, audience participation and high-energy performances that blend hits from multiple generations into one nonstop party atmosphere.
Saturday delivers the busiest day of music at the fair. Christian DeWild opens the day’s entertainment at noon, followed by Four Barrel at 2:15 p.m. Country fans can catch Lainey Wood at 6 p.m. before Radio Ready closes out the evening at 8:30 p.m. with a crowd-pleasing mix of dance hits, pop favorites and party anthems.
The final day of the fair begins with Trestles at noon, followed by Billy Williams at 3 p.m. and Sons of Rock n’ Roll at 5:15 p.m. The concert series concludes Sunday evening with The Outlaw Mariachi at 7:30 p.m., bringing its unique blend of traditional mariachi music and classic rock to the fair’s final night.
In addition to the featured concerts, entertainment can be found throughout the fairgrounds all weekend long, with local performers, dance groups, musicians and community organizations taking part in a variety of scheduled appearances.
More Than Just Music
While the concert lineup may grab headlines, visitors will quickly discover that the Placer County Fair offers far more than live music.
Returning this year are the popular All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, a longtime fair favorite that draws enthusiastic crowds throughout the day. The racing pigs compete in a series of spirited races that have become one of the most beloved attractions for children and adults alike.
Also back is Los Moralitos Circus, bringing acrobatic performances, balancing acts and family-friendly circus entertainment to fairgoers throughout the weekend. Visitors will have multiple opportunities each day to catch the colorful performances as the circus presents shows across the fairgrounds.
Another attraction expected to draw attention is Violin on Fire, a high-energy performance blending electric violin music, audience interaction and theatrical showmanship. The act performs several times daily and has become a popular stop for visitors exploring the grounds.
Families with younger children can participate in the Kids Pedal Tractor Show, while those looking for a little friendly competition can join pie-eating contests, watermelon-eating contests and other classic fair activities scheduled throughout the weekend.
The fair also serves as a showcase for local talent and community organizations. Dance academies, martial arts schools, youth performance groups and musicians from across the region will perform throughout the event. Among those scheduled to appear are Auburn Hip Hop Congress, Elevation Dance Center, Precision Dance Center, Headliner Music Academy, Lincoln Family Martial Arts Academy and numerous other local groups.
Beyond the entertainment, Butler Amusements returns with a large midway featuring carnival rides, games and attractions for all ages. Thrill seekers can experience larger rides while younger guests enjoy family-friendly attractions designed specifically for children. Midway games provide opportunities to test skills and win prizes, while food vendors throughout the grounds offer fair favorites ranging from funnel cakes and corn dogs to barbecue, lemonade, ice cream and other treats synonymous with the county fair experience.
Visitors can also explore exhibits highlighting local businesses, community organizations, educational programs and county services. New this year is the Placer AgTech & Innovation Expo, an interactive exhibit designed to showcase emerging agricultural technologies and provide hands-on experiences demonstrating how innovation continues to shape the future of farming and food production.
Agriculture Remains at the Heart of the Fair
While rides, music and entertainment draw large crowds, agriculture continues to be the foundation upon which the Placer County Fair was built.
Throughout the weekend, local 4-H and FFA members will showcase the animals they have spent months raising and preparing for competition. Livestock barns provide visitors an up-close look at the dedication and hard work invested by young exhibitors while also offering insight into the agricultural traditions that remain an important part of Placer County.
The schedule includes meat goat competitions, dairy goat shows, sheep competitions, swine events, rabbit and cavy exhibitions, dog shows and numerous showmanship contests. These events highlight both the skills of the exhibitors and the importance of agriculture within the region.
Saturday features some of the fair’s most anticipated agricultural traditions, including the Pig Calling Contest, Hay Bucking Contest and Barn Dance. The day also includes livestock auction activities that provide opportunities for community members and businesses to support local youth agricultural programs.
Sunday concludes the livestock competition schedule with family livestock events and the annual Livestock Awards Ceremony, recognizing outstanding exhibitors from throughout the county.
As part of this year’s celebration of Placer County’s 175th anniversary, visitors will also find exhibits and displays highlighting the county’s history, growth and contributions to California. Together, those exhibits serve as a reminder that while the fair has evolved over nearly nine decades, its mission of bringing communities together while celebrating local agriculture remains unchanged.
Whether visitors come for the free concerts, carnival rides, racing pigs, circus performances, livestock shows, exhibits or simply a funnel cake and an evening with family and friends, organizers say there will be no shortage of things to see and do during the four-day celebration.
The Placer County Fair runs June 25-28 at @the Grounds, 700 Event Center Drive in Roseville. Additional information, admission details and complete schedules are available at placercountyfair.org.
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