What will you find at the crossroads of the 580 and 680 freeways in the Bay Area from June 16 – July 9? The Alameda County Fair! Over the course of 20 days, the Bay Area’s largest and longest running Fair welcomes nearly a half million guests.

Brands look for the best options to highlight their products from sponsoring events, a location or a charity. One of the best options for brand awareness and recognition across generations is an event that brings an entire community together. Easy, look no further than the home of summer fun since 1912, the annual Alameda County Fair.

Sponsoring at the Alameda County Fair is a great opportunity for businesses that are looking to increase their brand exposure, connect with their target audience and build credibility within their industry. Here are a few reasons why sponsoring at the Alameda County Fairgrounds could be beneficial for any business:

1. Reach a large online audience of over 3.5 million: The Alameda County Fair is dedicated to the community helping partners reach a large online audience who are more likely to be interested in the products or services.
2. Build brand awareness: By sponsoring the Alameda County Fair, a business will gain exposure to a wider audience, including all ages, interests and professional levels with the event attendees, partners and participants. This can help to increase brand awareness and build a reputation within an industry.
3. Connect with a target market: Sponsoring can also provide an opportunity to connect with a target market on a personal level. Or engage with the audience through sponsored posts, guest blogging and other marketing activities, which can help to establish a brand as a thought leader in the industry.
4. Increase credibility: Sponsoring at the Alameda County Fair can also help to increase credibility of a business within the industry. By associating a brand with an established and respected organization, the business can demonstrate a commitment to the industry and build trust with potential customers.
5. Partner with a 501(3)c non-profit dedicated to helping the community with food, pet food, blood drives, school supplies and coat drives, as well as, being a location for emergency services to deploy to help with large fires and more!

People choose brands they relate to, logos they associate core memories with, and companies who are there by their side as they experience their first deep-fried twinkie. When sponsoring a summer Fair, a business or charity is choosing to be a part of someone’s warm summer nights and happy summertime memories with those they love.

What does sponsoring the Alameda County Fair look like? What makes it unique?

• Showcase a company’s support of the community
• Solidify a brand that supports non-profits
• Engage with over half a million guests in person
• Reach over 3.5 million online and millions more with media and advertising inclusion
• Create lifelong customers by associating with core memories
• Introduce a product to a vast demographic including all age groups
• Promote a brand in a positive and fun environment

Overall, sponsoring the Alameda County Fair can be a smart investment for businesses that are looking to increase their brand exposure, connect with their target audience and establish themselves as leaders in their industry.

It is never too late to sponsor, the Alameda County Fairgrounds has year-round opportunities as well.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for the summer Alameda County Fair, contact spease@alamedacountyfair.com today!

Ever since I was a child, the Alameda County Fair has been my favorite place to hang out during the summer. Usually, I go with friends or sometimes I go alone. Some of my favorite attractions were the rides, food, games, and shopping exhibitions. However, I often wonder what it would be like to work at the fair or have my own booth.

In 2016, I received an email from the Alameda County Fair asking local artists to showcase art for the new Artist Alley, now called Makers’ Market. Since I’ve been taking art classes for two years at Laney College, this was a perfect opportunity to display my work to the public. I sent an email with my original paintings and former coordinator Melanie Johnston was so impressed, she encouraged me to join. My plan was to sell my paintings and do live painting demos for fair goers. Since I had no experience, it was a lot harder than I thought because very few people saw my demos and I only sold a few paintings. At least it was the start of something.

The next year, my original paintings were made into greeting cards after my grandfather passed away. This became one of my best sellers, but it was the slowest year because I only had three days to sell, and the weather was hot. By 2018 and 2019, I started to get an increase in sales, thanks to the logo, business cards, and brochures I created when I took Graphic Arts classes at Laney College.

During the Covid 19 Pandemic, the Alameda County Fair was canceled and Kevin’s Cards went on hiatus. This led to depression and not being able to hang out with anyone. In 2021, the Fair returned in the fall and Terri Thut asked me if I was interested in participating. At first, I wasn’t sure, but since this was Kevin’s Cards 5th Anniversary, I told her I would do it if I put my business back together. Even though it was a little slow at times, this was about a second chance.

Last year, Erika O’Bryan encouraged me to paint Ferris Wheels and swings. This led me to create paintings inspired by the Alameda County Fair including several buildings and the Fair logo. Since the sale was a huge success, I decided to write a book about my experience entitled Artist Alley: Kevin’s Cards at the Alameda County Fair. This talks about Artist Alley and provides tips on how to have a successful booth. I’ll be selling copies of it during the 2023 Alameda County Fair.

Overall, I enjoy showcasing my art at the Alameda County Fair because I love meeting new people and supporting local artists. More importantly, the entire staff are considered my heroes because they have inspired me to be a better person! If I didn’t get that email in 2021, Kevin’s Cards would likely go out of business!

“The Alameda County Fair is more than just a fair, it’s about making your dreams come true!”
-Kevin Smith

Have you been itching to see a live concert? With summer coming, most are!

As spring approaches and the days get longer, the music and entertainment industry rev up for concert tours and appearances.

Looking for the best concert deal? With concerts now playing at local wineries, stadiums, parks and more, how do you decide? How many of these venues offer corndogs, cotton candy, fried Twinkies, pig racing, carnival rides and games, live horse racing and shopping, too? How many have Drone Shows and Fireworks or Petting Barns?

How about an outdoor amphitheater under the stars with genres from classic rock to rap to country. Alameda County Fair’s Big O’ Tires Concert Series kicks off June 16 with 19 shows through July 9. The Fair brings in some of those fan-fav artists live, including performances this year from E-40 and Joe Nichols, as well as new cover bands singing George Michael, Yacht Music and the Bee Gees.

With a venue as small as the Lucky Amphitheater, there is no bad seat, every spot is VIP. Not to mention, bleacher seats are free with general Fair admission. Or if you want that front row experience, you can purchase a reserved seat and sit close to the stage – a guaranteed spot!

Did that sound amazing? Looking to grab that best VIP seat, Season Pass Holders get early access to picking seats for every single concert.

For those more interested in watching with their kids and want to give them space to play or are looking for more of a picnic feel, there is the Michelob Ultra Concert Lawn outside the Lucky Amphitheater playing the show live on an enormous jumbotron screen. Bring a blanket and grab a funnel cake for an incredible concert and summer night.

The fun is just beginning! Immediately following each concert is a spectacular Drone Show over the Stella Artois Grandstand with more music. Better yet, hop on the Sky Ride and watch the show as you cross the Fairgrounds. It makes for a night you will never forget.

Opt-in to the Fair’s e-newsletter for concert announcements and be the first to buy a premium seat.