A Brief History Of The Kern County Fair

For over 100 years, the Kern County fair has been attracting people from all over Bakersfield and beyond. It was first held in 1916 and since then has changed its location and grown steadily in size. Today, it covers some 160 acres, and continues the tradition of combining livestock exhibits with family friendly attractions. Some exciting attractions were added in the 1920s, including motorbike races and parachute jumps, as well as adding more livestock. The 1925 fair saw an estimated 65,000 people pass through the gates to enjoy the sights and sounds of the fair, although it was canceled twice in the 1930s because of the Depression. The fair was extended to 12 days in 1983 and in 1987, horse racing wagering was introduced. The 2020 fair was canceled due to the Covid pandemic, although the 2021 fair promises to be better than ever.