Alameda County Fair

By Victoria Christian

Book Overview

What began as a ranching family's Sunday pastime of horse racing, with cheering crowds and thundering hooves on dusty roads, would give way to the Alameda County Fair that we know today. The Bernal family built the original racetrack in 1859 on their 52,000-acre ranch, which was part of the Northern California land grant, Rancho Valle de San Jose. Looking to turn his newly acquired racetrack into profit, businessman Rodney G. MacKenzie approached a group of county businessmen and ranchers with a proposal to hold a county fair on his property. The first Alameda County Fair ran from October 23 to October 27, 1912. Local leaders sought to form a modern fair, and in 1939 the Alameda County Fair Association was established. Once considered a racing fair, the Alameda County Fair now boasts livestock and agriculture. For young and old alike, the thrilling carnival rides, beautiful quilt exhibits, baking contests, fast-paced horse racing, or just a corn dog and cotton candy provide something for everyone, as the Alameda County Fair now prepares to celebrate its 100th year.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738581933
• ISBN13: 9780738581934
• Release Date: May 2011
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (SC)
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A fair FAIR

It is vintage book on Alameda County Fair from the early days up to now. It is a text with a good collection of pictures on the development into an annual big event, especially on the early days of horse racing. Now it is a popular family entertainment in the summer days. It highlights many fair activities to refresh memory with who is who. Reading this book refresh memory and motive to go again.