California's Golden Fairs
Counties all over the Golden State have a long tradition of celebrating their agricultural bounty, promoting their unique features, and generally inviting folks to have a good time. Huell travels up and down the state visiting these fairs, meeting diverse people, and seeing all sorts of animals, great rides, and attractions. He also discovers that each fair has its own history and traditions and is unique in its own way.
- 2010-2011
- 1 season
- California Public Television
- Documentary
Counties all over the Golden State have a long tradition of celebrating their agricultural bounty, promoting their unique features, and generally inviting folks to have a good time. Huell travels up and down the state visiting these fairs, meeting diverse people, and seeing all sorts of animals, great rides, and attractions. He also discovers that each fair has its own history and traditions and is unique in its own way.
Season 1 Episode Guide
11 Episodes 2010 - 2011
Episode 1
Amador County Fair
Thu, Sep 9, 2010 25 mins
Huell goes to the Amador County Fair, in Plymouth, which has a typical fair midway. But the big attraction is the living history area featuring a steam sawmill, working goldmine shaft, steam engines, tractor parades, and a Miwok village.
Episode 2
Marin County Fair
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 28 mins
Huell goes to the greenest county fair on Earth. The Marin County Fair uses forward thinking and innovative sustainable practices like solar-powered rides, efficient lighting, healthy food choices, waste composting, and water conservation.
Episode 3
San Diego County Fair
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 28 mins
In 1880 a group of San Diegans organized an agricultural fair so county farmers could share ideas, see who had the best fruit, who baked the best pie, and who had the fastest horse. It has been held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds since 1936.
Episode 4
Calaveras County Fair
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 28 mins
The Calaveras County Fair near Angels Camp is a classic country fair, but it is world famous for its signature event, the Jumping Frog Jubilee. Huell gets a behind-the-scenes tour and meets many of the frog wranglers at the big contest.
Episode 5
Nevada County Fair
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 25 mins
Huell goes to Grass Valley for the Nevada County Fair, which was proclaimed California's most beautiful fairgrounds by the legislature. Food is the big attraction on Treat Street where all booths are run by local non-profit organizations.
Episode 6
Trinity County Fair
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 25 mins
Huell travels way up north to the small town of Hayfork for the Trinity County Fair, a true old-fashioned "country" fair. Exhibits include The Homestead living history displays, quilt show, traditional midway, and the mule and donkey show.
Episode 7
Date Festival
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 25 mins
Huell heads to the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival in Indio which has celebrated the date and entertained millions with everything you could want from a fair for over 60 years.
Episode 8
El Dorado County Fair
Thu, May 19, 2011 26 mins
Huell goes to Placerville for the El Dorado County Fair. With a 150 year history, 80 years at the present location, it celebrates agriculture and gold country history of the region. The big event is the John Studebaker Wheelbarrow Race.
Episode 9
Alameda County Fair
Thu, May 26, 2011 27 mins
Alameda County Fair began in 1859 in Oakland as a floral fair. Fairgrounds were built in 1912 in Pleasanton around a horse racing track. Built in 1858, it is the oldest one-mile track in America and remains a highlight of the annual fair.
Episode 10
Monterey County Fair
Thu, Jun 30, 2011 25 mins
Huell goes to the 22 oak-studded acres of fairgrounds at the Monterey County Fair and learns why the Salinas Valley is known as "the Salad Bowl of the World." Besides agriculture, there is plenty of good food, rides and even wool spinners.
Episode 11
Big Fresno Fair
Thu, Jul 7, 2011 27 mins
Huell goes to The Big Fresno Fair that has over 165 acres and 127 years of history. He learns the fairgrounds were used as a Japanese American internment camp and meets the great-granddaughter of Pop Laval who shot photos of early fairs.