About 2,000 fairs are held in North America every year. Seventy-eight are in California and operated under the auspices of the Department of Food and Agriculture. The 2024 Alameda County Fair runs between June 14 and July 7. It has been held since 1912 on the 267-acre Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. The Fair attracts many people for many different reasons. One particular group is gardeners.
Fairs may have been held as early as 500 B.C., often around religious or culturally significant dates. Many early fairs celebrated planting or harvesting crops and other agricultural aspects, a theme that would continue throughout history. The first known agricultural fair took place in Windsor, Nova Scotia and continues annually. The York Fair held in York, Maine in 1765 is thought to have been the first agricultural fair in what would become the U.S. A New England farmer, Elkanah Watson, held the first agricultural county fair in 1811 that resembles our modern-day concept of a county fair including livestock competitions for prize money.
Watson, the “Father of US Agricultural Fairs” worked with New England agricultural societies to hold county fairs. Almost every county in New England held a fair within ten years and by the end of the century almost every state and province followed suit. These fairs had diverse features to attract people with varying interests. Today, the Alameda County Fair has multiple music stages, horse racing, food vendors, livestock viewing, competition submissions, carnival rides and games, performances, and agricultural industry exhibits. It also has attractions for gardeners.
The Alameda County Fair has garden related contests for adults and youth. Amateur gardeners can submit a homegrown entry for competition during four periods throughout the fair. One entry costs $1; nine to 19 entries cost $8, and more than 20 entries cost $10. The categories include cut flowers, floral design, garden produce, potted plants, and a “rose show” entry of cut rose bouquets. There are a number of sub-categories which expand the competition. There are small cash prizes for the top three winners as well as sponsor-donated garden related gift cards for the Best of Show. There are also honey and preserved food competitions.
Education on the importance of farming is a major directive of the fair. There is a wonderful hall that houses staffed informational booths from non-profit organizations. Groups like the Alameda Bee Keepers Association, the UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County, the Clean Water Program, the Alameda County Department of Agriculture, Weights, and Measures, Alameda County Resource Conservation District, and Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District all have information on how to better the environment starting in your own garden.
The Alameda County Fair has a large variety of vendors relevant to the home garden. Vrienden Umbrellas, a US company that sells high quality patio umbrellas offers a huge fair discount. Uncommon USA Inc. sells telescoping flag poles of up to 25 feet as well as numerous flags and accessories. Brass Etc. has a large selection of themed weather vanes and other hanging brass, copper, and iron decorative items that can be displayed in the garden. Sunset Swings manufactures heavy-duty steel framed swings. Claudia’s Imports features metal outdoor art work. TeleScopic stools sell lightweight collapsible stools perfect for taking a short break while working in the garden. There are outdoor kitchen displays as well as hat vendors with plenty of options suitable for gardening.
There are also opportunities to purchase plants. Plant Social Club based out of Lathrop sells interesting house plants at a reasonable price and shares their expert knowledge on how to best care for them. C&C Plants sells succulents, air plants, and creative handmade pots. There are also vendors that sell colorful wooden or knitted flowers. On July 7, at 5 p.m., the final day of the fair, there is a plant sale of the demonstration garden plants. Since everything must go, it’s possible to get a great deal. Plants are not the only living garden things the fair has to offer. Backyard chickens are available for purchase as well. These chickens are healthy and well cared for and will start producing eggs not long after they go to their new home.
It is nice to take a break in the garden demonstration area during a long day at the fair. There are a handful of lush professionally landscaped gardens in this large courtyard, which is encircled by massive trees. Many have soothing water features surrounded by vibrant flowers and rock features. It is the perfect way to spend your day at the fair and dream about your own garden and what it has to offer.
Daniel O’Donnell is the co-owner and operator of an organic landscape design/build company in Fremont. www.Chrysalis-Gardens.com
