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Calistoga Today
By the People, for the People
Calistoga Establishes Permanent Fairgrounds Advisory Committee
The committee will guide the city's efforts to revitalize the 70.6-acre fairgrounds property.
Published on Jan. 29, 2026
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More than a year after Calistoga took ownership of the Calistoga Fairgrounds from Napa County, the city has established a permanent Fairgrounds Advisory Committee to support planning, visioning, and community engagement related to the property. The committee, which was initially created as a temporary body, will now serve in staggered two-year terms to ensure continuity.
Why it matters
The Calistoga Fairgrounds has sat neglected for years, and the city is now working to revive the 70.6-acre property and maximize its potential. The permanent advisory committee will play a key role in developing a comprehensive revitalization plan, securing funding, and evaluating projects to generate revenue for the site.
The details
The Fairgrounds Advisory Committee consists of five community members who will serve in staggered two-year terms. Two of the current members will serve an extra year until December 2028, while the others will serve until the end of 2027. The committee has established four subgroups to focus on campaign and outreach, budget and infrastructure, site analysis, and site development planning. They will provide recommendations to the city council.
- In February 2025, the City Council established a temporary Fairgrounds Advisory Committee with a one-year term.
- On January 28, 2026, the City Council voted unanimously to make the committee a permanent body.
The players
Fairgrounds Advisory Committee
A permanent committee established by the Calistoga City Council to support planning, visioning, and community engagement related to the Calistoga Fairgrounds property.
Irais Lopez-Ortega
A Calistoga City Councilmember who advocated for extending the committee's term to allow them to continue their work effectively.
Donald Williams
The Mayor of Calistoga who serves as a council liaison to the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee.
Lisa Gift
A Calistoga City Councilmember who serves as a council liaison to the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee.
Sheli Wright
The fairgrounds revitalization director for the City of Calistoga.
What they’re saying
“This committee has not had enough time to start its work effectively. We need to extend their term so they can keep working. They are doing it as volunteers and we should appreciate that.”
— Irais Lopez-Ortega, Calistoga City Councilmember (pressdemocrat.com)
What’s next
The Fairgrounds Advisory Committee will continue its work to develop a Fairgrounds Revitalization Plan, secure funding, evaluate revenue-generating projects, and analyze the site and infrastructure. They will provide recommendations to the Calistoga City Council.
The takeaway
Calistoga's decision to establish a permanent Fairgrounds Advisory Committee demonstrates the city's commitment to revitalizing the long-neglected fairgrounds property. The committee's diverse expertise and community-driven approach will be crucial in shaping the future of this important local asset.
