Farmers Day | Sonoma County Fairgrounds

Farmer's Day

Sunday, August 4, 2019

You don't have to be a farmer to love Farmers Day at the Sonoma County Fair. Bring the whole family to enjoy an afternoon of barnyard events for all ages.

It's fast, sometimes hilarious and always educational, especially for the urbanites among us. And, like so many great shows at the Sonoma County Fair, it's free with your general admission.

For full schedule of events and instructions on how to participate continue to scroll down.

Cattle Drive

We are celebrating all things western at the 2019 Sonoma County Fair where we are going “Back to Our Roots, in Cowboy Boots!” As part of our western fun, the Sonoma County Fair, with the support of the City of Santa Rosa and the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, will be featuring a Cattle Drive to kick off Farmer’s Day festivities on Sunday, August 4th. 30 head of cattle will be managed by Wranglers through the streets of downtown Santa Rosa, ending the Cattle Drive at the Fairgrounds. Don’t miss out on this exciting and unpredictable event!

Pankcake Breakfast 8:30 am

Pancake Breakfast provided by the Santa Rosa Fire Department in Courthouse Square

Kids Activities in the Courthouse Square provided by Sonoma County Farm Bureau

Cattle Drive Begins 10:00 am

30 head of “experienced” cattle making a historical trek from downtown Santa Rosa to the Fairgrounds. Cattle Corralled in Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square, and then driven down E Street to the West Pavilion Parking Lot at the Fair.

Want to be a part of the Cattle Drive? Secure your spot and get all the media access for this big event! Contact publicity@sonomacountyfair.com for media inquires and press information.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Want to Join in the Fun?

Sign-ups for Farmers Day events are done in person at the Sonoma County Fair Entry Office. Entrants are accepted until events are full, which in some cases is on Farmers Day. New this year, Watermelon Scramble entries will not open until noon on Farmers' Day. Please contact the Entry Office (707) 545-4203 or email us entryoffice@sonomacountyfair.com for complete details.

Printable Entry Forms:

2019 Miss Wine Country Rodeo Queen - Sarah Mcknight

As Miss Wine Country Rodeo, she will preside over the Sonoma County Fair Rodeo, Farmers Day, and other community events.

Sarah is also the recipient of a commemorative belt buckle.

Farmer’s Day Program

Kiddie Fun On The Farm – Fun activities - just for kids!
Opening Ceremonies – Introduction of the 2019 Wine Country Rodeo Queen, Sarah Mcknight
Grand Entry – Our Rodeo Queen will lead a “stick horse” drill with youngsters 5 – 9 years old. At 12 noon, the first 25 kids that arrive at the Chris Beck Arena Box Office will receive a free stick-horse to ride in the grand entry. Blue Ribbons will be awarded to all home-made horses!
Youth Barrel Racing – 5 Lead Line Participants, 10 Young Guns and 10 Youth will partipate. Top placing Young Gun & Top placing youth will receive buckles.
Wild Cow Milking – Cheer for your favorite team (must be pre-entered into this competition) to get a single drop of milk out of a wild cow’s udder!
Hide Race – Fastest time around the arena will earn this 2-person team (pre-entered, one horse rider, 1 hide rider) the grand prize of a trophy belt buckle.
Stick Horse Competition – Participants arriving with their stick-horses are judged on their western attire, decoration of the stick horse and performance of their routine.
Presentation of Award Recipients – We recognize this year's Outstanding Dairy of the Year, Award of Excellence in the Horse Industry, and Outstanding Northbay Rancher.
Watermelon Obstacle Race – Kids (enter on Aug. 4 12:00-12:30p.m.) must hold onto a slippery watermelon while completing an obstacle course against the clock! All 20 participants will receive a gift card sponsored by Yogurt Time. Winners of each heat will compete in a final round resulting in the presentation of the winning buckle!
Mutton Bustin’ – Watch brave kids (must be pre-entered into this competition) hang on for the ride of their life as they climb aboard a sheep and ride into the arena! Belt buckle will be awarded for the best ride.
Sheep Dog Demonstration – Watch teamwork in action as the handler and his dog round up 15 sheep and gently persuade all of them to climb back into a trailer.
Sheep Dog Trials – Following a short break, the annual Sonoma County Fair sheep dog trials will take place at the conclusion of the Farmers’ Day program.