SALINAS VALLEY — Carnival lights glowed over the midway, children clutched sweet treats and livestock exhibitors proudly guided animals through crowded barns as thousands of visitors gathered for the 82nd annual Salinas Valley Fair from May 14-17 at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City.
This year’s theme, “Red, White & Bloom,” carried through four days of rides, concerts, youth competitions, food and agricultural traditions that continue to define one of South Monterey County’s largest annual community events.
Families packed the midway throughout the weekend, while fairgoers moved between livestock barns, commercial exhibits and entertainment stages spread across the fairgrounds.
Special themed days highlighted different groups within the community, including Kids’ Holaday on Thursday, Senior Day and Special Kids Day on Friday, Armed Forces Day on Saturday and Día del Hispano on Sunday.
One of the fair’s cornerstone events remained the Junior Livestock Auction, where more than 800 4-H and FFA exhibitors showcased months of work raising market animals. The auction drew buyers, volunteers and supporters from across the region as students auctioned hogs, sheep, goats, beef, poultry and rabbits.
Among the auction highlights was the sale of the Salinas Valley Fair Heritage Foundation’s 2026 Heritage Animal, raised by Miss Salinas Valley Fair 2026 Morgan Hancock, a 17-year-old senior at King City High School. Hancock, a member of Lockwood 4-H, raised a pig named “Kilmer” for the scholarship program.
“Our Junior Livestock Auction represents months of dedication, countless hours of hard work and considerable investment by these 4-H and FFA exhibitors,” said Jon Conatser, chair of the Junior Livestock Auction. “Behind every project are early mornings, late nights and the responsibility of caring for animals while balancing school, sports and other commitments.”
“Many of these exhibitors are gaining valuable knowledge, leadership skills and life experience that will benefit them far beyond their Salinas Valley Fair projects,” Conatser added. “We are proud to have more than 800 exhibitors participate in this year’s auction.”
Conatser also thanked returning buyers for continuing to support youth agriculture programs and exhibitors.
“To our buyers — thank you,” he said. “Year after year, you continue to support these exhibitors in ways that extend well beyond the auction ring.”
Complete results from the Junior Livestock Auction were not available before the newspaper’s print deadline.
Entertainment remained a major draw throughout the four-day fair.
The Stampede Arena featured flat track motorcycle races Thursday night, 4×4 truck pulls Friday and a Saturday night concert by Niko Moon, whose performance brought one of the weekend’s largest crowds. Sunday closed with a Hispanic Concert Series featuring regional bands and dancing.
Elsewhere on the grounds, fairgoers filled the Steinbeck Stage for performances by The Edge Band, Vendetta Pro Wrestling and Outlaw Mariachi, while strolling entertainers and family attractions kept crowds busy throughout the day.
Among the daily attractions were the All Alaskan Pig Races, Happy Day Pony Rides, Jeremy the Juggler, Louie Foxx’s comedy magic show and the Patriotic Stilt Walker roaming the fairgrounds in red, white and blue attire.
The Family Lawn area offered children’s pedal tractor races, STEM activities through Mind Works Imagination Gallery and hands-on animal encounters at the All Smiles Petting Zoo.
Opening night festivities also included the Grand Tasting in the Orradre Building, where attendees sampled award-winning wines from the Monterey International Wine Competition alongside appetizers and local exhibits.
Fair officials said the annual event continues to blend entertainment with the agricultural roots that have shaped the Salinas Valley Fair for more than eight decades.
Additional information about the fair and Junior Livestock Auction add-ons, which must be submitted by Friday, May 22, is available at salinasvalleyfair.com.
