 A 4-H member holds her rabbit at a recent Jr. Livestock Showcase. The Dixon May Fair, and fairs like it up and down the state provide a great opportunity for youth, whether they be involved in 4-H, FFA, Grange, or independent, to put their agricultural knowledge and talent on display. Photo courtesy of Solano County 4-H.
Dixon May Fair: Where the future of Ag and innovation goes on display
District agricultural fairs and
county fairs for generations have been the places where Ag innovation is
displayed and the future farmers and ranchers promote their region’s agricultural
heritage.
You might argue that this tradition
began in Dixon, Calif., home of the state’s oldest district fair and
fairgrounds. The origin of the Dixon May Fair can be traced back to 1876 when
the community held May Day celebrations. A decade later, the 20-acre Dixon
Driving Park was established along First Street as a location for horse racing
and annual May Day celebrations. By the early 1950’s the park officially became
the Dixon May Fairgrounds. It remains the location of the Dixon May Fair to
this day.
Beginning May 10, the Dixon May Fair
will celebrate its 143rd year. In addition to the entertainment,
games and rides, our local youth - whether they are part of 4-H, FFA, Grange or
independent - will have their livestock, floriculture, and career technical
projects on display. Adults also participate in preserved foods, fiber and
floriculture showcases. These activities truly put the best of Solano County’s
agriculture on display for the public to enjoy and learn about.
I always enjoy receiving letters from
youth telling me all about their market steer or lamb, how much weight the
animal is putting on and how their training for the Jr. Livestock Showcase is
going. The Jr. Livestock show is one of my favorite parts of any fair. The
youth have worked so hard for this day and put tremendous effort into showing
their animals. For many of these kids, the awards they win and the money they
raise from auction helps them to gain valuable skills and money for college.
The Dixon May Fair, and fairs just
like it up and down the state, is a reflection of its community. In Solano
County, we have more than 400 full-time farming operations and nearly another
400 that operate on a part-time basis. Many of the faces and families that make
Solano County one of the most agriculturally diverse counties in the state will
be at the Dixon May Fair, May 10-13, to support their fellow farmers and
ranchers and encourage the next generation with their projects.
The Dixon May Fair gates open at 4
p.m. Thursday, May 10. The Dixon May Fair Parade, hosted by the Dixon Chamber
of Commerce, kicks off at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 12, followed by the Jr.
Livestock Auction at 11:30 a.m. Visit http://dixonmayfair.com/fair-details/ for complete event details.
I hope to see you there.
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Since 2003, Supervisor John M. Vasquez has had the privilege to represent the 4th Supervisorial District covering Northern Solano County. The district includes portions of Vacaville and Dixon. |
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