Mid-State Fair draws 366,000 attendees this year
Photos by Brittany App.
$3.1 million in livestock sales reported
– The 79th annual California Mid-State Fair concluded its 12-day run on July 27, welcoming 366,216 visitors from July 16–27. Attendance increased 6.5% compared to 2024, which had about 335,000 guests.
The fair featured concerts, rodeo events, carnival rides, and livestock auctions. Organizers reported the coolest weather in recent memory during the fair.
The Michelob Ultra Concert Series at the Chumash Grandstand Arena drew 83,000 ticketed attendees, a slight decrease from the prior year. Helm and Sons Amusements brought in $1,692,094 in carnival revenue, down 1% from 2024. A free ride promotion on opening day remained popular.
More than 55 food and beverage vendors brought in $3.3 million in gross revenue from non-alcoholic sales, matching 2024’s results. Alcohol sales decreased, which fair staff attributed to the cooler temperatures.
Special events included a sold-out Cattlemen & Farmers Day Awards BBQ with 1,300 attendees, the CCWC Gold Medal Wine Tasting, and the Get Crafty Mixology Contest and Tasting.
More than 100 sponsors contributed over $1.3 million in cash and in-kind support. Friends of the Fair volunteers contributed 2,715 hours leading up to and during the event.
Competition results
Central Coast Wine Competition
Best of Show/Best White: Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards, 2023 Chenin Blanc
Best Red: Opolo, 2023 Grand Rouge
Best Rosé: Cass, 2024 Oasis Rosé
Best Sparkling: Rava Wines, Cinsault Rosé NV
Best Dessert: Eberle, Muscat Liqueur NV
Winery of the Year: Le Vigne Winery
Central Coast Olive Oil Competition
Best of Show Delicate: Olivaia’s Ola, Super Blend
Best of Show Medium: Sunshine Olive Oil, Spanish Oaks Picual
Best of Show Robust: Central Coast Olive Company, Mission
Best of Show Flavored: Corto Olive Co., Calabrian Chili
Producer of the Year: Sunshine Olive Oil
California Craft Spirits Competition
Best of Show/Best White Spirit: Grain + Vine, Vodka
Best Brown Spirit: Griffo, Stout Barreled Whiskey
Best Liqueur: Griffo, Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
Get Crafty Golden Shaker
Distiller’s Choice: “Garden Eyes,” Alchemist Garden featuring Grenada Hotel & Bistro
Mixologist & People’s Choice: “In the Weeds,” Nomada Group featuring Grenada Hotel & Bistro using Grain + Vine
Home Brewing Competition
Best of Show: Kelly Beaubien, Dark European Lager – Schwarzbier
Reserve Best of Show: Conner Medeiros, IPA – Hazy IPA
Home Winemaking Competition
Best of Show/Best White: Brad Bunkelman, 2021 Malvasia
Best Dessert: Katie Hill, 2024 Pomegranate
Best Red: Kirk Johnson, 2023 Sangiovese
Best Rosé: Brad Bunkelman, 2023 Rosé of Grenache
San Luis Obispo County Wine Industry Awards
Winemaker of the Year: Molly Bohlman
Winegrape Grower of the Year: Aron Nevarez
Industry Person of the Year: Chris Taranto
Lifetime Achievement Award: Libbie Agran
Agriculture Awards
Agriculturalist of the Year: Marty Settevendemie
CattleWoman of the Year: Debbie Arnold
Cattleman of the Year: Jill Twisselman Heely
805 Country Rodeo Finals
All-Around Cowboy: Colter Negranti
Barrel Racing: Paisley Busick Ranch
Double Mugging: Kelly Barker, Lee Whitney
Ladies Breakaway Roping: Josie Pereira
Mixed Ribbon Roping: JW Brewen, Sarah Brewen Match
Rope & Brand: Rowdy Russell, Levi Segura, Cody Sill, Zach Cobb
Roping: Cash Filipponi, Cody Sill
Team Penning: Amy Lewis, Tom Twisselman, Clayton Grant
Best of Show – Exhibits
Adult Division – Agriculture Horticulture
Heidi Edelman (San Miguel), Home Poultry Eggs – Small Flocks
Dean Harrell (Nipomo), Red Onions
BJ Semmes (Atascadero), Lavender
Farm Art
Thomas Edwards (San Luis Obispo), Lawn Flamingo
Arts & Crafts
Brian Harms (Templeton), Leather Chaps
Home Arts
Jo Ann Hawkins (Paso Robles), Machine Quilted – Medium Quilts
Suzanne Lord (San Luis Obispo), Marmalade
Hope Merkle (Los Osos), Carrot Cake
Vanessa Scheirer (Paso Robles), Crochet
Fine Art
David Lacaro (Templeton), Advanced Amateur 2D Art
Photography
Ron Mead (Santa Margarita), Advanced Amateur Seascape
Floriculture
Rob Baldwin (Paso Robles), Cosmos (Bi-color)
Brandi Bognuda (Templeton), Professional Arrangements (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Show)
Barbara Bullock (San Luis Obispo), Dahlia – Collarette
Linda Hicks (Templeton), Cactus – Columnar Cacti
Heather Jamieson (San Luis Obispo), Dahlia – Small Informal Decorative
Youth Division – Agriculture Horticulture
Ben Bowers, Home Poultry Eggs
Zephram Decater, Largest Produce – Zucchini
Vivi Osman, Herbs
Evan David (4-H), Home Poultry Eggs – Chickens
Sophie Pittman (4-H), Herbs
Colin Wiebe (4-H), Cherry Tomatoes
Farm Art
Colt Barber, Birdhouse
Aiden Foerst (4-H), Stepping Stone
Arts & Crafts
Maddax Mendonca, Painting
Home Arts
Eleanor Griffith, Breads/Quick Breads
Kalleya Krivacsy, Quilting – Machine
Adelaide Quaglino, Preserved Foods – Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Scarlett Wicks, Sewing – Summer Top
Tatum Allgood (4-H), Carrot Cake Jam
Charlotte Dobberpuhl (4-H), Quilting – Machine
Emmylu Gaertner (4-H), Carrot Layer Cake
Fine Art
Jose Garcia (4-H), Colored Drawing
Michael Yanez, Colored Drawing
Photography
Mckenna Nichols, Color Prints – Wild Critters
Floriculture
Kody Kilburn, Wheelbarrow Garden
Emmy Sherwin, Theme Wreath
Emmylu Gaertner (4-H), Cactus/Succulent
Ella Pierce (FFA), Best Use of Red Rose
Special Stars Division
Madilynn Meredith (Junior), Watercolor Painting
Pathpoint Group Project (Senior), Woodworking
Kayla Stroble (Senior), Dump Cake
Industrial Education
Evan Churchill, Large Welding Project (Type II)
Blaine Haggie, Large Woodworking Project (Type III)
Reese Thiessen, Medium Welding Project
Payton Shoresman, Computer-Aided Drafting and Manual Drafting
Auction results
The 2025 livestock auctions raised more than $3.1 million through the sale of hundreds of animals. The Industrial Arts Auction raised $234,900, highlighting the work of local students.
All figures are preliminary and subject to verification. For more information, visit www.midstatefair.com or email publicity@midstatefair.com.
