The 2026 California Mid-Winter Fair Kicks Off with Community Pride and New Attractions

IMPERIAL, Calif. — The 2026 California Mid-Winter Fair officially opened Friday evening, February 27th, at the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds, marking another exciting chapter in the region’s long-standing tradition of community celebration. The day began at 3 PM with a powerful opening ceremony at the gates, featuring a community member, Brianna Estrada, singing the national anthem, accompanied by a ceremonial color guard presenting the colors, setting a patriotic tone for the 13-day event.

Fridays festivities included free admission for military veterans and seniors, part of this year’s special promotions aimed at honoring those who have served and the region’s senior residents. The fair’s new “Family Value Nights,” taking place every Wednesday and Thursday, were also launched today, offering discounted carnival wristbands, free parking, and $5 food items at participating vendors, designed to bring families together for more affordable fun.

Fairgoers were greeted by a variety of new attractions and food options. Among the five new food stands debuting this year are Spud Budz, a locally owned business specializing in loaded baked potatoes, Maddie’s Crepes, Flaco’s Tacos, Bosco’s Sweet Tea and Lemonade, and Francesco’s Cucina Italiana, making its worldwide debut at the fair. “We’re excited to be the first fair to host these new vendors,” said a fair spokesperson.

As visitors explored the grounds, they enjoyed live mural paintings inside the Preble Building, where local artists will paint murals live on stage throughout the next couple of weeks, reflecting the fair’s “Celebration!” theme. We spoke with Ted Flores Who has been the design consultant for the Imperial Valley fairgrounds for the past 20

The entertainment lineup is the biggest yet, with over 160 scheduled acts including tribute bands, local musicians, and dance groups. The Mechanics Bank Stage will feature acts like the Red Hot Cholo Peppers, Journey Revisited, Def Leppard Revisited, Neon Circus, and the Like Combs Tribute Band. A highlight will be the Blue Angels meet-and-greet scheduled for March 12, giving attendees a rare chance to meet the Navy Flight Demonstration Team.

Community members shared their excitement. Serena and her boyfriend Tristan said, “We came to the fair because we heard that the first day had free entry for veterans, and my boyfriend is a Marine Corps veteran, so we felt like we should take advantage of the free tickets today.” Tristan added, “It’s definitely pretty warm out here, but we’re gonna stay hydrated and have fun, that’s all that matters.”

Nina Simone, accompanied by her friends, said, “This is the first time I’ve been to the fair in about four years, so I’m excited to just look around, see things that are familiar, and go on some rides with my friends.”

Jamilet, one of Nina’s friends, expressed her enthusiasm about the food and new attractions: “I’m looking forward to seeing all the different kinds of foods from what I remember. I also was last here four years ago, so I’m excited to see what’s new.”

John Hernandez, a member of the Brawley “Get Together Senior Citizen Club,” shared, “Today we’re here with a couple dozen people from the Brawley Senior Center, and since it’s free entry for seniors day, we came out on a bus provided to us by the Imperial Valley Transportation Commission, organized a little trip out and we’re looking forward to looking at what’s new here at the fair and taste some of the food, maybe check out the corn dogs and get an ice cold beer.”

The day’s events also celebrated the region’s agricultural roots with the return of the Junior Livestock Program, featuring over 1,000 animals on display, including the return of poultry exhibits after last year’s bird flu ban.

Throughout the day, the fair’s organizers emphasized their focus on community and heritage. “The long-term vision is to continue transforming the fair into a modern regional entertainment hub rooted in Imperial Valley’s agricultural history,” said fair spokesperson. “Our partnerships with local sponsors, including Energy Source Minerals, help ensure the fair remains self-sustaining and able to grow for generations to come.”

Today’s opening ceremony was a proud moment for the community, fairgoers will now enjoy two more weeks of entertainment, including dirt racing, livestock shows, exhibits, and more, making this year’s fair the biggest and most diverse yet.

The 2026 California Mid-Winter Fair continues to be the largest community event in the Imperial Valley, bringing residents of every city together to celebrate, enjoy good food, and create lasting memories.

For more information regarding what’s to come at this year’s California Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta, check out the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds website at https://www.ivfairgrounds.com/