Ventura Fair by the Sea 2025

Ventura County Fair History

Every summer, Ventura comes alive with the sights, sounds, and scents of its most cherished tradition: the Ventura County Fair. Nestled right on the Pacific coast at Seaside Park, this beloved event has been bringing the community together for generations, offering everything from livestock shows to rock concerts, deep-fried desserts to seaside fireworks.

From Harvest Celebration to Countywide Spectacle

The fair’s roots trace back to 1874, when Ventura hosted a local harvest celebration known as San Miguel Days. That early gathering included horse races, bullfights, and lively dances. By 1875, the first official fair was underway, with horse racing as its main attraction. Over the decades, the event grew in popularity, changing locations a few times—most notably relocating to Hueneme in 1891 before settling permanently on the oceanfront after E.P. Foster donated land to create Seaside Park in 1909.

Since then, with a few interruptions during global crises like World Wars and the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair has endured as a summer staple. In 1987, the fair shifted from its traditional fall schedule to August to take advantage of better weather, a change that’s helped attendance swell to more than 300,000 visitors annually.

Generations of Memory-Makers

For many Ventura residents, the fair is deeply personal. It’s where childhood memories are made, first crushes blossom, and family traditions thrive. Local legend Leo Vanoni recalls attending the fair in the 1920s with his parents in a 1919 Dodge truck—long before the fairgrounds grew into the bustling venue they are today. In 1956, he and his wife introduced “Uncle Leo’s Barn,” a popular attraction that continues to let kids experience the wonder of barnyard animals up close.

“I still come to the barn every day of the fair to chat with the children,” Leo says. “It’s my pride and joy.”

Love, Laughter, and Livestock

Beyond animals and exhibits, the Ventura County Fair is a place where lives change course. Just ask Maureen Cottingham and her husband, Adam, who met on the Junior Fair Board. Their shared love of agriculture—and one memorable steer—helped spark a lifelong connection.

The fair also plays host to countless 4H and FFA students, showcasing everything from horticulture to horsemanship. For many, it's their first real encounter with the rural roots of Ventura County, where agriculture once defined the region's identity.

Fourth-generation Ojai resident Dennis Jenks remembers sleeping beside his sheep in the barns and riding horses on the beach between showings. “It was the best place in the world as a kid,” he says.

Lights, Music, and Funnel Cake

From carnival rides and cotton candy to live concerts by music legends like The Beach Boys and Smokey Robinson, the fair offers something for everyone. Phil Rhone, a lifelong Venturan, once spent his entire savings on two weeks of nightly fair visits. “I just love it that much,” he laughs. “The rides, the food, the people—it’s perfect.”

The fair’s parade, once a downtown highlight, is no longer held, but the spirit of community still pulses through the event. Whether you're reconnecting with old friends or watching fireworks from the top of the Ferris wheel, the Ventura County Fair continues to be a hub of joyful reunions and nostalgic encounters.

Prince Aaggie and the Moo-ving Tale of Billiwhack

One of the fair’s more legendary exhibits in the 1920s was Prince Aaggie, a champion Holstein bull and state fair sensation. Purchased for a record $110,000 by rancher August Rübel, Prince Aaggie represented the peak of California livestock breeding. His early death in 1926 marked the end of an era—and the beginning of local lore, which would later evolve into tales of the mysterious “Billiwhack Monster” haunting the ruins of the old dairy farm.

More Than a Fair

What makes the Ventura County Fair endure is not just its rides, concerts, or competitions—it’s the memories. It’s the stories passed from one generation to the next, the sweet smell of kettle corn on a salty breeze, the laughter of kids discovering animals for the first time, and the heartbeat of a coastal town celebrating who it is.

The fair runs each August, drawing people from all over the region. For many, it’s not just a tradition—it’s part of their identity.

As Charles Vanoni puts it, “Every August, that’s where you’ll find us. Ventura without the fair? That just wouldn’t be Ventura.”