Each year, Yreka’s Siskiyou Golden Fair celebrates summer, promoting the county’s agricultural, industrial, commercial, mineral and cultural resources and achievements.
The Agricultural, Mechanical & Mining Association sponsored the first county fair on Oct. 5, 1859, in Fort Jones, Calif. The Mount Shasta Agricultural District sponsored the next fairs in Yreka, held in 1866 and from 1879 to 1884.
In May 1927, the 10th District Agricultural Association took over promoting Siskiyou County’s agricultural and industrial interests. The association backers included early pioneering leaders, including J. A. Ager, Fred J. Meamber, A. L. Herzog, O. G. Steele, E. S. Cooley, Louis Wacker, G. G. Kleaver, and George Tebbe. In 1930 the fairs were dropped, but in 1937 a new association was born under California Gov. Frank Merriam. The new county fairs resumed in 1938.
The Sept. 27, 1928, issue of the Siskiyou Daily News listed some fair highlights, including foot, pony and relay races, balloon ascension, a parachute jump, airplane exhibitions, acrobatics and fireworks. Four elementary school bands presented a concert, and something called a “rolling-in, throwing-in contest.”
This year’s fair runs from Aug. 10 to 14.
Source: Jones, Jim. "County Fair." Siskiyou Pioneer and Yearbook 3.7 (1964): 91-92. Print.
