“The Heart of Petaluma”

Help us preserve this crucial community asset and a signature part of Petaluma’s rich historical legacy.

Save Petaluma Fairgrounds

(Home of the Sonoma-Marin Fair)

Saving the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds starts with being informed. Here is a brief overview of the lease history and extension efforts. The goal now is to engage the community and ensure a “robust public input process” takes place, as promised by the Petaluma City Council.

Fairgrounds Lease History

In 1911 the residents of Petaluma voted to pass a 20-year $20,000 bond to secure the property and buildings for the fairgrounds we rely on and today.
In the 1930s the 4^th District Agricultural Association (DAA) was established to manage the fairgrounds year-round.
In 1936 the City of Petaluma leased the property to the 4^th DAA for 10 years at $1/year. This lease was renewed under the same general terms in 1947 (for 25 years) 1972 and again in 1998 which secured the 4^th DAA’s operation of the grounds through the end of 2023.

Lease Extension Efforts

For over 20 years the 4^th DAA has made numerous proposals and use re-imaginings at the cost of tens of thousands of dollars in an effort to extend the lease past 2023.
Unfortunately, the City Council has not engaged in or granted a single meeting with the 4^th DAA over this time.
In early 2019 the City Council finally promised the community (and the 4^th DAA) a “robust public input process” to isolate the public needs and desires for the fairgrounds.
As of October 2021, the City Councils’ engagement with the public on specific fairgrounds use has been limited and with the 4^th DAA non-existent.
However, the 4^th DAA and the Friends of the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds (FOSMF) are committed to fulfilling the promise of a “robust public input process” originally promised by the City Council in 2019.
Over this time, the 4^th DAA and the FOSMF have facilitated public poles, surveys, town hall meetings (2), community cruises (2), and a constant presence at all monthly City Council meetings.

Upcoming Events

Friends of the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds Public Meeting (Board Meeting): Wednesday, October 12^th at 6 pm at the Hotel Petaluma, 205 Kentucky Street, Petaluma

(Zoom Link to follow)

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IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENT!

Next Upcoming City Council Fairgrounds Workshop Event, Monday, October 24^th

This is an in person event that is important. Spread the word and get the community to show up to this important milestone meeting. The city council needs to keep hearing from the public. This is a chance to voice your opinion so please come and bring others too!

Exact location and time has not been revealed by the city yet. Keep checking our facebook or webpage as we will continue to update with that information as we get it.

The city also has a page at https://cityofpetaluma.org/departments/fairgrounds/# that has a lot of information as well.

Town Hall #3 Candidate Town Hall

Sign-Up to Stay Informed

How You Can Help

Contact the Petaluma City Council directly to voice your opinion.
Join Friends of the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds (501c3) to participate in planning and outreach efforts.
Donate to Friends of the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds to support their efforts.
Engage on Facebook & Instagram to spread the word and stay up to date.
Learn how the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds impacts, supports, protects, serves, educates and brings together our diverse community.
Discuss your passion and the importance of this treasured property with your circle/community.

How to Donate

Please make checks payable to:

Friends of the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds

Mailing Address:
ATTN: Friends of the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds
175 Fairgrounds Dr.
Petaluma, CA 94952

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What’s at Stake

We stand to lose a place to showcase our youth in agriculture, a place to go in an emergency, and many other year-round services that bring us together.

Learn More