The following open letter was issued Friday by the Contra Costa County Fair Heritage Foundation Board who announced they will dissolve on July 31, 2026.
Here is the letter:
Dear Contra Costa County Fair Exhibitors and the Community of Contra Costa County:
It is with heavy hearts that the Contra Costa County Fair Heritage Foundation Board members announce that, effective July 31, 2026, the Heritage Foundation will formally dissolve.
The Heritage Foundation was founded in 2014 with the mission of maintaining a standard of excellence in the facilities and grounds of the Contra Costa County Fair by providing funds for capital improvements, educational opportunities, and scholarships. The Heritage Hog Scholarship and, in recent years, the Small Animal Scholarship were established through this effort. The vision of the Heritage Foundation has been to preserve and enrich the heritage of the Contra Costa County Fair by continuing to develop it into a premier destination.
Past and present Heritage Foundation Board members are proud of the success of the Foundation and the many contributions made to improve the fairgrounds. We were honored to support families during fair week, contribute to improvements such as the show ring and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation and its volunteers joined together to organize a livestock sale for exhibitors in 2020 and to host a Junior Livestock Show and Auction known as the Comeback Show in 2021. We are especially proud of all Heritage Hog and Small Animal Scholarship recipients.
In recent years, the Foundation has faced increasing challenges in recruiting new board officers and members, resulting in a growing reliance on a small group of dedicated volunteers to carry out its work. Despite their continued commitment and significant efforts, this level of responsibility has become unsustainable for the long-term operation of the organization. In addition, changes to the fair’s show schedule and overall timing have made it increasingly difficult to effectively host the Heritage Grove and to continue providing dinners for families on show nights—both of which have been important traditions of the Foundation’s presence at the fair. After careful and thoughtful consideration of these factors, the difficult decision was made to bring the Foundation’s operations to a close.
As this will be our final year, scholarship recipients will still be showing the Heritage Hog and Heritage Rabbits and going through the auction. Proceeds from these, along with our remaining funds, will be used to make improvements to the livestock area.
Although the Foundation will be dissolving, we remain deeply grateful for the years of partnership and the legacy we have built together. It has been an honor to serve the Contra Costa County community.
We wish Contra Costa County 4-H, FFA, Grange, and independent exhibitors and their families, along with the communities served by the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, continued success and enjoyment of all the fairgrounds have to offer.
Sincerely,
The Contra Costa County Fair Heritage Board
About
The Heritage Foundation was founded in 2014 by volunteers who wanted to make our fair and fairgrounds better. They also saw a need for a scholarship for 4-H and FFA kids. The foundation received it’s 501(c)3 status in April of 2014 and at the fair that year, just 6 weeks later we had 100 members join!! It has been growing ever since. The Foundation cannot exist without volunteers who are willing to invest time, effort and money! The Foundation Board needs the help of members who are willing to serve on committees, make connections for sponsors and help fulfill our mission. If you can help please message us or contact one of the board members.
Related
- May, 2026: Contra Costa County Fair
- April 2026 – Podcast: Cheyenne Erickson on What’s New at the Contra Costa County Fair
