News Releases
Contact: Katie Marzullo
Direct Line 949-257-9089
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2026
Santa Cruz County Fair Kicks Off Wednesday
Watsonville, CA – It’s Fair time! The 2026 Santa Cruz County Fair kicks off this Wednesday, September 16th... and we have five fun-filled days celebrating “Apple Pies and Starry Skies!”
Opening Ceremony is Wednesday at the Main Gate, right before gates open at noon. (Media is invited). In honor of our country’s 250th birthday, admission is $2.50 only on Opening Day, cash only at the gate.
This year’s Fair features two nights of monster trucks (Wednesday and Thursday) with the Monster X Tour! (additional ticket required).
Live concerts Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights star hometown superstars! We’ve got Santana lead singer and Watsonville native, Andy Vargas. James Durbin, American Idol Alum and Santa Cruz native, and Los Mismos!
Our Drone Show (Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights) is all new, with 300 drones! Plus, daily shows by all our Fair favorites… Twinkle Time, Michael Mezmer- The Phenomenist, POWERHOUSE!!! Percussive Dance and The Magic of Frank Thurston. And all the sweet and savory treats you only get once a year at the Fair!
Our Exhibit Halls will be packed with all the best Santa Cruz County has to offer… baked goods, floriculture, photography, quilts, youth displays, LEGOs, handspun-handwoven, agriculture-horticulture, poetry, fine art and MORE!
On Saturday morning (9/19), local youth will present their hogs, steer, goats, lamb, poultry and rabbits in the Junior Livestock Auction—it’s an exciting and important event.
Check out santacruzcountyfair.com for detailed daily schedules. Contact Katie Marzullo at 949-257-9089 or to get a Media Pass.
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Contact: Katie Marzullo
Direct Line 949-257-9089
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2026
Free METRO Rides to the Santa Cruz County Fair & Get a Discount on Your Fair Ticket
Watsonville, CA – Leave your car at home and save money!
The Santa Cruz County Fair is happy to announce the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is offering free service to the Santa Cruz County Fair, September 16-20!
METRO has created Route 79F, a special route offering free daily service to the fairgrounds. METRO will also provide free weekend service to the fairgrounds on Route 79, September 19th and 20th. Registered ParaCruz customers can receive free daily service to and from the Fair, all five days, with reservations.
Route 79F will depart from Westridge Drive at the Government Center at 35 minutes past each hour. Service will operate from 10:35am to 9:35pm Wednesday through Friday. And, from 8:35am to 9:35pm Saturday and Sunday. The bus will travel to the Watsonville Transit Center before continuing to the fairgrounds, serving all scheduled stops along the route.
Fairgoers are also welcome to park, for free, at the Watsonville Elks Lodge… and METRO buses will pick up those passengers across the street at the bus stop.
Return trips from the fairgrounds will depart on the hour-- from 11am to 10pm Wednesday through Friday and from 9am to 10pm Saturday and Sunday.
METRO riders also get a discounted Fair ticket! Adults can save $7. Kids’ tickets are $6 off. Riders just need to ask their driver for a voucher.
METRO details here: scmetro.org/fair
Fair information here: santacruzcountyfair.com
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Contact: Katie Marzullo
Direct Line 949-257-9089
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2026
Interview The Fair’s Biggest Stars
Watsonville, CA – Hello Media Friends! We hope you’ll take advantage of this awesome opportunity! Our main stage entertainers are available for interviews in the days leading up to the 2026 Santa Cruz County Fair, which kicks off Wednesday, September 16th!
First up, our Friday night (9/18) show, Santana lead singer, Andy Vargas! Andy is a Watsonville native and he first performed at the Fair when he was 7 years old. His father, Javier Vargas is an accomplished mariachi musician who’s been performing at the Fair for more than 30 years. They will play together at the Fair! Andy has an incredible story to tell—from his local roots to international stardom!
*Andy is currently touring with Santana, but he will make himself available for phone or Zoom interviews. Please contact Randy Garza at or 818-441-9821.
On Saturday night (9/19), another local star—James Durbin! James was a finalist on American Idol, and he was born and raised in Santa Cruz. He’s also a 3rd generation resident of Watsonville—with lots of happy memories from the Santa Cruz County Fair.
*You can email James directly at .
On Sunday night (9/20), it’s Los Mismos! Los Mismos is one of the most recognized and enduring groups in Regional Mexican music. The band emerged from the remaining members of the legendary group, Los Bukis.
*Please contact Katie Marzullo at 949-257-9089 or kmarzullomedia@gmail>, to schedule an interview with Los Mismos.
I look forward to hearing from you! And as always, call me if you want to cover the Fair, September 16th-20th! More Fair details at santacruzcountyfair.com!
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Contact: Katie Marzullo
Direct Line 949-257-9089
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2026
Don’t Miss Out!
There’s Still Time to Enter the Fair
Watsonville, CA – Your blue ribbon awaits you at the 2026 Santa Cruz County Fair! Now is the time for all our county bakers, makers, growers and artists to jump in with both feet and ENTER THE FAIR!
For most departments, the online entry deadline is August 27th… but some are as late as September 10th.
Also, most departments accept Walk-In Entries on Receiving Days. Entrants should consult the Entry Guide for details on each department.
There are so many exciting departments—something for everyone! Livestock, Agriculture-Horticulture, Amateur Wine, Fine Arts, LEGOs, Photography, Poultry, Baked Goods, Floriculture, Collections, Hobbies and Home Arts… just to name a few!
The Entry Guide is available online at santacruzcountyfair.com/2026-entry-guides
The printed Entry Guides are available throughout Santa Cruz County at local libraries and feed stores. For a full list of locations: santacruzcountyfair.com/2026-entry-guides#pickup
You can also grab an Entry Guide at the Fair Office, located on East Lake Avenue, in Watsonville.
Anyone with questions about entering the Fair should call the Fair Office at 831-724-5671.
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