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Is the Siskiyou Golden Fair Worth Visiting? What to Know Before You Go

BySherry Arkfeld Updated on

If you’re visiting Siskiyou County in late June and wondering whether the Siskiyou Golden Fair is worth adding to your trip, the short answer is yes.

Siskiyou County’s fair still feels like a real county fair. You’ll find livestock barns, local kids showing animals, homemade pies, carnival rides, live music, and plenty of fair food, which is honestly my favorite part.

I grew up in Yreka, so I’ve been going to the fair my whole life. Even now, my grown son, niece, and nephew often make the trip up just for the fair. It’s one of the highlights of the year and brings together people from all over the area.

What I love most is that it feels more local, more relaxed, and much easier to enjoy than many of the huge California fairs. You can actually take your time, wander through the barns and exhibits, and enjoy the atmosphere without fighting huge crowds.

The 2026 Siskiyou Golden Fair takes place June 24-28 at the fairgrounds in Yreka.

For visitors, it’s a fun way to spend a few hours or even a full day while you’re in the area. It’s especially worth it if you’re looking for something family-friendly, affordable, and uniquely local.

Rustic wooden sign surrounded by plants and rocks reads "WELCOME TO THE FAIR GROUNDS" in yellow painted letters. White and blue vendor tents and people are visible behind the sign beneath tall trees at the fair.

Why Siskiyou County’s Fair Is Better Than Many Other Fairs

A lot of fairs have started to feel more like giant parking lots with expensive rides and long lines. The fair in Yreka is different.

First, it’s smaller and easier to get around. You can see everything in one day without feeling rushed or exhausted. Parking is free, and it’s close to the entrance, so you don’t have to spend half your day walking across a huge lot.

Second, the fairgrounds are actually pleasant to spend time in. There are lots of big shade trees, grassy areas, and plenty of places to sit.

Most importantly, even though it’s one of the county’s biggest events, it still feels like a real small-town fair. The livestock barns, agriculture exhibits, home arts, crafts, baked goods, and photography displays are a big part of the experience.

You can watch local 4-H kids showing their animals, see giant vegetables and award-winning quilts, and get a glimpse of the people who live here.

What You’ll Find at the Siskiyou Golden Fair

Carnival Rides and Midway

The midway has enough rides to keep most kids and teens happy, along with several rides adults can enjoy too. You’ll find the usual mix of spinning rides, carnival games, and classic fair midway energy.

The fair uses Magic Money for rides instead of tickets. You can load money onto a wristband and use it throughout the carnival.

If you know you’ll want rides, buy your wristband online before you go. A presale unlimited ride wristband costs less than buying one at the fair.

2026 carnival prices include:

  • $33 for a one-day unlimited ride wristband purchased in advance
  • $105 for a Golden Ticket wristband that works all five days of the fair

The Golden Ticket is only available online before the fair and won’t be sold onsite.

Colorful carnival game booth lined with hanging stuffed animal prizes including pigs, penguins, and cartoon characters. Players sit at water gun stations aimed at spinning targets along the bright blue and yellow counter.

Fair Food

Part of the fun is eating your way through the fairgrounds.

You’ll find all the usual fair food favorites, including:

  • Corn dogs
  • Funnel cakes
  • Cotton candy
  • Barbecue
  • Lemonade
  • Ice cream
  • Fried food of every kind

There are also local food vendors, which gives the fair a more local feel than many bigger fairs. My family always has to go a couple of times, just so we can have all our favorite foods.

Most of the local food vendors are located in the main food court. You’ll see rows of picnic tables with shade that was just upgraded this year.

Many of the vendors are local service groups like the Elks and Lions Clubs, raising money for local causes. We always like to give them our business for that reason, but also, they tend to have the best food.

One tip: You can’t bring in outside food or drinks, so plan to eat at the fair if you’ll be there for a while. You can always get your hand stamped, have a picnic outside the fair, then return.

Blue funnel cake stand at an outdoor fair with a sign reading "Funnel Cakes" across the front. People walk beneath large shade trees around the booth while sunlight filters across the grass and a trash can sits in the foreground.

Livestock and Agriculture

Even if you don’t think you’re interested in livestock, don’t skip the barns.

You’ll see cows, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, poultry, and more. You can watch young exhibitors grooming their animals, getting ready for competitions, and showing them in the ring.

This is also where you get a feel for Siskiyou County and the people who live here. Agriculture is still an important part of life in this area, and the fair reflects that.

Black faced sheep with a freshly sheared white body stands tied to a metal post with a purple and white rope. The sheep has its mouth open while a person holds the chain collar, with a fairground and trees blurred in the background.

Exhibits and Competitions

Inside the exhibit buildings, you’ll find:

  • Photography
  • Quilts and sewing
  • Woodworking
  • Paintings and art
  • Homemade jams and baked goods
  • Flowers and gardening displays
  • Produce and giant vegetables

Even if you’re not usually an exhibit person, it’s worth walking through. There are often some surprisingly funny, creative, and impressive entries.

I always enjoy seeing all the beautiful quilts and other artwork. We have some really talented people here.

Commercial Building

Don’t skip the commercial building. It’s one of those parts of the fair that a lot of people wander into for a few minutes and end up staying much longer than they expected.

Inside, you’ll find booths from local businesses, community groups, and the local community college. There are people selling handmade items, gifts, kitchen gadgets, jewelry, and all kinds of random things you didn’t know you wanted until you saw them.

Part of what makes it fun is that it changes from year to year. You never know exactly what you’ll find.

One of our family’s favorite stops is the fudge booth. They have a whole counter full of flavors, and it’s hard to choose just one. If you like sweets, plan on taking some home with you.

Entertainment and Attractions

Admission to the fair includes quite a bit beyond the carnival.

The fair usually features free daily entertainment such as:

  • Live music
  • Strolling performers
  • Family-friendly stage shows
  • A petting zoo
  • Pony rides
  • Sea Lion Splash
  • The Birdman show

There are also special grandstand events on certain nights, such as rodeos, demolition derbies, concerts, or motorsports. See the full schedule here.

You’ll always see my family at the rodeo, although my sisters and I go just to make our dad happy. We tend to root for the cows. But if you like rodeos, this is a really good one.

Young child in a cowboy hat and plaid shirt rides a brown horse around a blue barrel in a dusty rodeo arena. The horse kicks up dirt as it turns sharply, with white fencing and blurred mountains in the background.

Siskiyou Golden Fair 2026 Schedule

The fair runs from Wednesday, June 24, through Sunday, June 28, 2026.

Each day has a different theme and admission deal.

Wednesday: Opening Day
  • Fair opens at 3 p.m.
  • Discount admission day
  • Presale Wednesday admission is only $3
Thursday: Kids’ Day
  • Everyone under 12 gets in free
  • Great day for families with younger kids
Friday: Senior Day
  • Everyone 62 and older gets in free
Saturday: Military Appreciation Day
  • Current and former military members get in free
  • Usually, one of the busiest days of the fair
Sunday: Family Day
  • Everyone gets in free
  • Also, usually one of the busiest days
Fair Hours
  • Wednesday from 3 p.m. to midnight
  • Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight
  • Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Buy Your Tickets Online in Advance

If you plan to attend, buying tickets online ahead of time is one of the easiest ways to save money. Also, the grandstand events tend to sell out, especially the rodeo.

Presale tickets cost less than tickets bought during the fair.

For 2026:

  • Presale general admission is $8
  • General admission during the fair is $12
  • Wednesday presale admission is only $3
  • Children 6 and under are always free
  • Parking is free

There is also only one cash window at the fair entrance. That means lines can get long if you wait and buy tickets there. Visit the fair’s website here to get your tickets.

Children ride the bright red and yellow Super Shot drop tower at the Yreka fair. The riders smile and hold the safety bars while the ride lifts them high above the fairgrounds.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Fair

  • Arrive early if you want to see the exhibits and livestock before it gets crowded. The barns and exhibit buildings are usually quieter earlier in the day.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. Even though the fairgrounds aren’t huge, you’ll spend a lot of time walking between the midway, food booths, barns, and exhibit buildings.
  • Bring a light jacket. Days can be hot, but evenings in Yreka often cool off quickly.
  • Wednesday is usually the least crowded day. If you don’t like lines or crowds, it’s one of the best days to go.
  • Sunday is free for everyone, which makes it one of the busiest days. If you go on Sunday, expect larger crowds and longer lines.
  • Don’t skip the exhibit buildings. A lot of people head straight for the rides and food, but the exhibits are one of the most interesting and memorable parts of the fair.
  • Buy your ride wristbands online in advance if you plan to spend much time on the midway. You’ll save money and avoid the risk of them selling out.
  • Bring both a card and a little cash. Most vendors take cards, but it’s helpful to have cash just in case.
  • Leave pets at home. The fair doesn’t allow pets unless they’re service animals.
  • Don’t bring outside food or drinks. You’ll need to buy food and drinks inside the fair.
  • Leave alcohol, glass containers, bikes, scooters, skateboards, and weapons in your car. None of those are allowed inside the fairgrounds.
Large crowd sits at picnic tables beneath blue shade canopies and Pepsi flags at an outdoor fair. Two people in cowboy hats stand in the foreground while visitors gather near the wooden food and drink booths.

Make a Weekend of It

The Siskiyou Golden Fair is easy to combine with other things to do in Yreka and Siskiyou County.

Before or after the fair, you could:

  • Walk through historic downtown Yreka along Miner Street
  • Visit Greenhorn Park
  • Explore the Siskiyou County Museum
  • Drive to Mount Shasta
  • Stay overnight and spend another day exploring the area

If you’re already traveling through Northern California or Southern Oregon, the fair is a fun reason to stop in Yreka for a day.

Final Thoughts

So, is the Siskiyou Golden Fair worth going to?

For most visitors, yes.

It’s affordable, easy to enjoy, and much more local and relaxed than many larger fairs. You get carnival rides, fair food, live entertainment, livestock, and a real look at Siskiyou County, all in one place.

If you’re planning to go, buy your tickets online ahead of time, especially if you want ride wristbands. You’ll save money, avoid the lines, and have more time to enjoy the fair.

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Sherry Arkfeld

Sherry Arkfeld was raised in Siskiyou County, California. She's been back full time for over two years and is here to help others discover all this beautiful Northern California County has to offer.