The Sonoma County Fairgrounds

The Sonoma County Fair is your answer to creative marketing

With a per capita income well above the state average and a highly diverse population, Sonoma County is a key market—and the Fair provides a unique opportunity to reach these consumers, plus those from neighboring Marin, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties.

Why is the Fair such a major event?

Sonoma County Fair is everything county fairs used to be—and much more. The Hall of Flowers is stunning and is the largest themed show in the western United States. Wine Country Racing, with our turf and dirt tracks, is among the most popular thoroughbred horse racing meets in California. With two carnival areas totaling more than 60 rides, headline entertainers, the region’s premier livestock exhibit, and award-winning special events, the Sonoma County Fair captures the attention of the entire market.

Sponsors reach a receptive audience

Sonoma County Fair offers an extremely efficient cost per thousand and an uncluttered atmosphere. On-site signage, product sampling, inclusion on our heavily-trafficked website, inclusion in the daily schedule of events, messages on our electronic billboard visible from Hwy. 12, and the goodwill associated with the largest event in Sonoma County are just a few of the benefits of Fair sponsorship.

All sponsorships are tailored to fit individual needs.

Sponsors may choose to target specific segments of the Fair’s vast audience--such as families with young children, teens, or seniors--by focusing on one of the Fair’s many special areas or days.

Sponsor Benefits

• Category Exclusivity: Capture the visitors' undivided attention.

• On-Site Signage: at your sponsored venue and/or event.

• 17 Days of Targeted Sampling & Display (additional fee may be required): Outdoor exhibit space can be arranged for your company to display and sell products, sample, distribute literature, conduct consumer research, solicit product feedback and build your database.

• Web Site (sonomacountyfair.com): Hot link, logo identification, and information about your sponsored attraction at the Sonoma County Fair's official web site sonomacountyfair.com.

• Electronic Billboard: Identification of sponsorship, shows and times throughout each day of the Fair. Billboard is visible from Highway 12 (east).

• JumboTron: inclusion of sponsor logo and commercials on big screen facing racing grandstand during the race day.

• Fair Guide: sponsor recognition ad space in the Fair Guide, direct mailed to more than 180,000 households in Sonoma County and surrounding counties.

• Daily Schedule: inclusion of sponsor logo in each day's schedule. 9,000 are printed each day and distributed on-grounds.

• Racing Program: advertising space in the Racing Program (120,000), distributed both on-grounds and at simulcast racing facilities around northern California.

• General Publicity: Enjoy inclusion in press releases and on-grounds public address announcements.

• Right of First Refusal: Be first in line for same sponsorship at the 2013 Sonoma County Fair.

• A Note on Advertising: A limited amount of advertising space is available for purchase in the Fair Guide, and Racing Program, but not in the Dairly Schedule. Only sponsors may have ads in the Daily Schedule. Contact our office at (707) 545-4200 to inquire about advertising.

Sonoma County Fair 2012 Sponsorship Opportunities

17 Days at the Fair ($3,000 - $10,000)

The Day at the Fair sponsorship is the most comprehensive sponsorship available. For one day (or more), the Fair is yours. Depending on your target audience, you choose where you want to be seen. Possible Day at the Fair activities: Sampling, Give-Aways at the Gate, signage, commercial on the racetrack Jumbotron, logo/slogan on the Electronic Billboard, inclusion in Daily Schedule and the Racing Program. Sponsors will receive a special 'Named Race' on their day. There are many possibilities for sponsor involvement in contests and special venues throughout the day.

Parade Floats ($1,500)

A highly visible and popular feature of the Fair is the daily parade around the fairgrounds with custom built "mini-floats", small enough to be featured on a golf cart. Exposure to our Fair audience is immense since we are only offering this opportunity to three businesses.

Senior Days at the Fair ($3,000)

Seniors get in free every Thursday. On one of those days, a special Senior Program is held in at the Park Plaza Stage. All afternoon, dozens of senior-related organizations distribute information to fairgoers as seniors gather for a program of entertainment, contests and fun. The Senior Day Sponsor gets prime location in the Park, as well as opportunities to distribute information and/or products to seniors all over the fairgrounds. Other senior-friendly events are also possible, including a Senior Breakfast, special contests and more.

Chris Beck Arena ($20,000)

Chris Beck Arena is the site for the PRCA Rodeo (July 28) an afternoon Farmers Day program (July 29)and two nights of Destruction Derby (August 11 & 12). We also book headline concert entertainment in Chris Beck Arena for 3-4 nights (dates TBA) during the Fair. Seating capacity is 2,761, with 1,300 seated in the grandstand and the remainder in nearby bleachers. With the exception of the Farmers Day program, events in Chris Beck Arena require a separate ticket. The Rodeo has a long history of playing to a full house, as does the Destruction Derby. A prime display space is available inside the arena for the venue sponsor.

Hall of Flowers ($20,000)

The Sonoma County Fair hosts the largest themed Flower Show (30,000 sq. ft.) in the country, with professional gardeners and landscapers working within the 2012 theme, "Ports of Call," to create a living work of art. The Flower Show is one of the most popular features of the Fair, highlighted by a preview gala held the Sunday evening before the Fair opens. Each visitor to the Flower Show receives a copy of the Flower Show Brochure (a prime spot for sponsorship acknowledgement), with details about the gardens and exhibitors. The Flower Show sponsor may choose to use a display space in the Hall of Flowers Annex, the only commercial space available in the building. A prime space just outside the entrance is an alternative.

Wine Country Racing ($5,000 - $50,000)

The Sonoma County Fair is the first fair in California to offer 15 days of thoroughbred horse racing on dirt and turf race tracks. The racing experience at our Fair brings business associates, old friends and diehard race fans together in what is often called the "Homecoming Event" of Sonoma County. The racing grandstand seats 5,000 in the upper tiers, and thousands more watch below on the racetrack apron. The racing grandstand offers sponsors an opportunity to reach a focused adult audience through give-aways, signage, Jumbotron, the Racing Program (100,000+ distributed over 15 days) and announcements.

Kids' Area ($2,000 - $5,000)

Families are encouraged to make the Kids Area their home base at the Fair. Kids can play in the sandbox, watch a show, or just catch a quick nap on the grass as their parents take a breather. This is not a baby sitting service, but Fair staff is on hand to keep the peace and keep the activities coming. The Parents Rest Station (located in the Kids Area) has changing tables and armchairs just right for nursing babies. The Parents Rest Station is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Kids Area activities begin at 11:30 a.m. and continue until 7 p.m. The Kids Area is located just inside the Brookwood Gate. In addition to signage in the Kids Area, the sponsor can be recognized on 30,000 "If I Look Lost" stickers that are distributed to children as they arrive at the Fair, reminders that lost children are to be taken to the Kids Area, which is also the Lost Child Center.

Sweet Lil's Farm ($2,500 - $10,000)

A family favorite! Sweet Lil's Farmery and the adjoining Uncle Sam's Farm offer fun agricultural education activites for all ages. See baby animals, eggs hatching and the popular duck slide along with farm equipment and plantings. A variety of sponsorship options exist in this area.

DIY - Do It Yourself! ($3,000 per area)

A new feature in 2012. We'll have three areas set up, one in each exhibit building, where fairgoers can try their creative hand and learn a bit about the activity of the day. Sponsors for this will be listed in the Daily Schedule as well as having banner and naming opportunities.

Rodeo Chute Gate Sponsorship ($1,500)

There are only six chutes for the Rodeo, and signage opportunity is available to only six sponsors. Signs are custom made to fit the gate that includes the sponsor's logo. Through this sponsorship, the business name and logo is exposed to thousands of rodeo fans. Everytime the cowboy comes out of the chute, the announcer will recognize the sponsor. And the exposure does not stop at the rodeo! Signs will be up during the two weeks of the Fair, even during the other arena events. This opportunity also allows the sponsor to hang one banner on the arena fence during the rodeo.

Livestock Area ($1,000 - $5,000)

The Livestock Area is an essential part of the Sonoma County Fair experience. Fairgoers are encouraged to visit the barns to see the animals and talk to exhibitors. This offers an opportunity to get up close and personal with sheep, pigs, cows, horses, chickens, rabbits, goats and more. For many city dwellers, this is their only connection to the farm life that was once Sonoma County's primary lifestyle. The Sonoma County Fair's Junior Livestock Auction and Show are among the largest in California. Since 2007, local junior exhibitors have netted over $1 million dollars each year.

Milk Barn ($2,000)

This is a chance for fairgoers to see cows being milked throughout the day. Milking demonstrations will be supplemented by educational dairy demonstrations. The audience will have a chance to ask questions and talk to junior exhibitors and people who make their living working with cows.

Petting Zoo ($3,000)

The Great American Petting Zoo offers young fairgoers a chance to get up close and personal with all sorts of animals, including sheep, pigs, goats, deer and llamas. The Petting Zoo, located across from the sheep barn, is open every day of the Fair, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is free with Fair admission. The Petting Zoo sponsor will be recognized with signage and mentions in all schedules and publications. The Petting Zoo is a must- see for every young family attending the Fair.

Tram Sponsorship ($1,000/tram)

During the two weeks of the Fair, weary patrons are chauffered around the Fair and the Parking lot with trams. Sponsors are offered signage opportunity (moving billboards) on the trams. Two large signs will be displayed on the tram recognizing the sponsor's name, logo and motto if applicable.

Barnyard Stage ($2,500)

Jugglers, ventriloquists and other traditional variety acts entertain all ages on the Barnyard Stage. This is classic Fair entertainment sharing space with a full roster of participation events. Fairgoers of all ages will be blowing bubbles, whistling, building scarecrows and even trying to look alike in the Family Look-Alike Contest. The show starts at noon every day and continues until dusk. In addition to signage and recognition in all maps and schedules, the Barnyard Stage sponsor has the opportunity to have a tie-in to one or more contests on the stage.

Carnival Promotions ($2,000 - $20,000)

The Fair offers a carnival discount every weekday of the Fair, from $1 Ride Day to Pay-One-Price wristbands. We also can tailor a special one for your needs. Click here to see all the discounts available for your brand.

Redwood Theater ($5,000)

The Redwood Theater is a prime entertainment venue at the Fair. With a seating capacity of 2,500, the Theater is home to the Mexican Fiesta and a variety of family programming. Near the Children's Carnical rides and the Mexican Village.

Shade Park Stage ($5,000)

Shade Park, home of the Park Stage, is the place to be for music every day of the Fair, starting at 1:15 p.m. and continuing until 9:00 p.m. every night. With everything from country to swing to rock to Brazilian jazz (and even an afternoon of Elvis), the Park Stage line-up has something for everyone. This shady spot has benches and picnic tables, as well as a small dance floor and is located right in the middle of the fairgrounds. Fairgoers of all ages are invited to settle in to watch the show and even dance along if they feel like it. Nearby vendors offer a wide variety of food, and the people-watching is outstanding. In addition to the music, the Park Stage is also home to the Racing Seminars, held each race day morning at 11:15 a.m. Track insiders share their expertise, answer questions and even offer their picks for that day's races. Your sponsorship of the Park Stage will generate hundreds of thousands of impressions.

Exhibit Building Naming Rights ($2,500)

The heart of all Fairs is the Exhibits Program. From quilts to children's art projects, the exhibit buildings boast the blue ribbons that are recognized as the traditional fair icon. Thousands of our County's youth and adults are showcased in one of our many exhibit buildings. As the building sponsor, you will be recognized as the major contributor to the awards offered to those participating exhibitors. These cash prizes and awards will be given to the exhibitors with recognition to the sponsor as the partial underwriter of the program. Signage opportunity both inside and outside the building is offered with this partnership.