The 79th annual California Mid-State Fair wrapped up 12 exciting days from July 16–27, 2025, bringing the community together to celebrate a favorite local event and summer tradition. From livestock auctions to concerts, carnival rides to rodeo thrills, this year’s Fair celebrated the spirit of agricultural traditions in a beautiful setting and experienced the coolest weather any locals can recall ever experiencing.
Overall Attendance
The 2025 Fair welcomed 366,216 guests, marking a 6.5% increase over 2024’s total of approximately
335,000.
Michelob Ultra Concert Series
Concerts in the Chumash Grandstand Arena drew 83,000 ticketed attendees. Although slightly lower that 2024’s numbers, the series delivered a diverse lineup of talent and high-energy performances that thrilled audiences.
Carnival
Carnival revenue totaled $1,692,094, reflecting a 1% decrease from last year. Helm and Sons
Amusements continued to delight guests, including with the popular Opening Day free ride promotion.
Food & Beverage
More than 55 vendors reported gross revenues just over $3.3 million in non alcoholic food and beverage. sales, on par with 2024. Alcoholic beverage sales were down, likely due to the cool weather.
Special Events
- Cattlemen & Farmers Day Awards BBQ sold out with 1,300 attendees
- CCWC Gold Medal Wine Tasting
- Get Crafty Mixology Contest and Tasting
Sponsorships
The Fair was again supported by over 100 sponsors, contributing more than $1.3 million in cash and inkind support.
Volunteer Hours
Friends of the Fair members donated just over 2715 hours of their time leading up to and during the Fair.
COMPETITION RESULTS
Central Coast Wine Competition
- Best of Show/Best White: Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards, 2023 Chenin Blanc
- Best Red: Opolo, 2023 Grand Rouge
- Best Rosé: Cass, 2024 Oasis Rosé
- Best Sparkling: Rava Wines, Cinsault Rosé NV
- Best Dessert: Eberle, Muscat Liqueur NV
- Winery of the Year: Le Vigne Winery
Central Coast Olive Oil Competition
- Best of Show Delicate: Olivaia’s Ola, Super Blend
- Best of Show Medium: Sunshine Olive Oil, Spanish Oaks Picual
- Best of Show Robust: Central Coast Olive Company, Mission
- Best of Show Flavored: Corto Olive Co., Calabrian Chili
- Producer of the Year: Sunshine Olive Oil
California Craft Spirits Competition
- Best of Show/Best White Spirit: Grain + Vine, Vodka
- Best Brown Spirit: Griffo, Stout Barreled Whiskey
- Best Liqueur: Griffo, Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
Get Crafty Golden Shaker Winners
- Distiller’s Choice: “Garden Eyes” Alchemist Garden featuring Grenada Hotel & Bistro
- Mixologist & People’s Choice: “In the Weeds” Nomada Group featuring Grenada Hotel & Bistro
using Grain + Vine
Home Brewing Competition
- Best of Show: Kelly Beaubien, Dark European Lager – Schwarzbier
- Reserve Best of Show: Conner Medeiros, IPA – Hazy IPA
Home Winemaking Competition
- Best of Show/Best White: Brad Bunkelman, 2021 Malvasia
- Best Dessert: Katie Hill, 2024 Pomegranate
- Best Red: Kirk Johnson, 2023 Sangiovese
- Best Rosé: Brad Bunkelman, 2023 Rosé of Grenache
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY WINE INDUSTRY AWARDS
- Winemaker of the Year: Molly Bohlman
- Winegrape Grower of the Year: Aron Nevarez
- Industry Person of the Year: Chris Taranto
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Libbie Agran
AGRICULTURE AWARDS
- Agriculturalist of the Year: Marty Settevendemie
- CattleWoman of the Year: Debbie Arnold
- Cattleman of the Year: Jill Twisselman Heely
805 Country Rodeo Finals
- All-Around Cowboy: Colter Negranti
- Barrel Racing: Paisley Busick Ranch
- Double Mugging: Kelly Barker, Lee Whitney
- Ladies Breakaway Roping: Josie Pereira
- Mixed Ribbon Roping: JW Brewen, Sarah Brewen Match
- Rope & Brand: Rowdy Russell, Levi Segura, Cody Sill, Zach Cobb
- Roping: Cash Filipponi, Cody Sill
- Team Penning: Amy Lewis, Tom Twisselman, Clayton Grant
BEST OF SHOW — Exhibits
Adult Division – Agriculture Horticulture
- Heidi Edelman (San Miguel) – Home Poultry Eggs – Small Flocks
- Dean Harrell (Nipomo) – Red Onions
- BJ Semmes (Atascadero) – Lavender
Adult Division – Farm Art
- Thomas Edwards (San Luis Obispo) – Lawn Flamingo
Adult Division – Arts & Crafts
- Brian Harms (Templeton) – Leather Chaps
Adult Division – Home Arts
- Jo Ann Hawkins (Paso Robles) – Machine Quilted – Medium Quilts
- Suzanne Lord (San Luis Obispo) – Marmalade
- Hope Merkle (Los Osos) – Carrot Cake
- Vanessa Scheirer (Paso Robles) – Crochet
Adult Division – Fine Art
- David Lacaro (Templeton) – Advanced Amateur 2D Art
Adult Division – Photography
- Ron Mead (Santa Margarita) – Advanced Amateur Seascape
Adult Division – Floriculture
- Rob Baldwin (Paso Robles) – Cosmos (Bi-color)
- Brandi Bognuda (Templeton) – 1st , 2nd, and 3rd Show – Professional Arrangements
- Barbara Bullock (San Luis Obispo) – Dahlia – Collarette
- Linda Hicks (Templeton) – Cactus – Columnar Cacti
- Heather Jamieson (San Luis Obispo) – Dahlia – Small Informal Decorative
Youth Division – Agriculture Horticulture
- Ben Bowers – Home Poultry Eggs (Youth)
- Zephram Decater – Largest Produce – Zucchini (Youth)
- Vivi Osman – Herbs (Youth)
- Evan David – Home Poultry Eggs – Chickens (4-H)
- Sophie Pittman – Herbs (4-H)
- Colin Wiebe – Cherry Tomatoes (4-H)
Youth Division – Farm Art
- Colt Barber – Birdhouse (Youth)
- Aiden Foerst – Stepping Stone (4-H)
Youth Division – Arts & Crafts
- Maddax Mendonca – Painting (Youth)
Youth Division – Home Arts
- Eleanor Griffith – Breads/Quick Breads (Youth)
- Kalleya Krivacsy – Quilting – Machine (Youth)
- Adelaide Quaglino – Preserved Foods – Bourbon BBQ Sauce (Youth)
- Scarlett Wicks – Sewing – Summer Top (Youth)
- Tatum Allgood – Carrot Cake Jam (4-H)
- Charlotte Dobberpuhl – Quilting – Machine (4-H)
- Emmylu Gaertner – Carrot Layer Cake (4-H)
Youth Division – Fine Art
- Jose Garcia – Colored Drawing (4-H)
- Michael Yanez – Colored Drawing (Youth)
Youth Division – Photography
- Mckenna Nichols – Color Prints – Wild Critters (Youth)
Youth Division – Floriculture
- Kody Kilburn – Wheelbarrow Garden (Youth)
- Emmy Sherwin – Theme Wreath (Youth)
- Emmylu Gaertner – Cactus/Succulent (4-H)
- Ella Pierce – Best Use of Red Rose (FFA)
Special Stars Division
- Madilynn Meredith – Watercolor Painting (Junior)
- Pathpoint Group Project – Woodworking (Senior)
- Kayla Stroble – Dump Cake (Senior)
Industrial Education
- Evan Churchill – Large Welding Project (Type II)
- Blaine Haggie – Large Woodworking Project (Type III)
- Reese Thiessen – Medium Welding Project
- Payton Shoresman – Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD)
- Payton Shoresman – Manual Drafting
AUCTION RESULTS
Livestock Auctions
The 2025 livestock auctions raised over $3.1 million (unofficial) from the sale of hundreds of animals, once again showcasing the commitment of 4-H and FFA youth and the generosity of the community.
Industrial Arts Auction
This year’s Industrial Arts Auction raised $234,900, continuing its tradition of spotlighting the incredible craftsmanship of local students.
All figures are preliminary and subject to final verification. For more information, visit www.midstatefair.com or contact [email protected].