Imperial Valley Fairgrounds Prepares for Annual Mid-Winter Fair

Organizers say months of planning go into making this one of the most anticipated events of the year.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Workers and vendors are preparing the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds for the annual California Mid-Winter Fair, setting up rides, booths, and the parking lot to accommodate large crowds. The fair will feature classic fair favorites like funnel cakes and corn dogs, live performances, entertainment, games, a livestock show, and motorsports events.

Why it matters

The Mid-Winter Fair is a longstanding tradition in the Imperial Valley, drawing large crowds each year and serving as a major economic driver for the region. The fair's mix of food, entertainment, and agricultural events makes it a highly anticipated annual event for local residents.

The details

Organizers say the fairgrounds are in the process of getting the carnival rides set up, food vendors are preparing their concession stands, and the grounds are being prepared to handle the influx of visitors. The fair will feature classic fair staples like funnel cakes and corn dogs, as well as live performances, entertainment, games, a livestock show, and six days of racing events including go-karts, lightning sprints, and dwarf cars.

  • The fair opens next Friday night.
  • This year, the fair is offering family value nights with discounts.

The players

Alan Phillips

The CEO of the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds.

Imperial Valley Fairgrounds

The venue hosting the annual California Mid-Winter Fair.

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What they’re saying

“Currently we have the carnival that's in the process of getting their rides and everything set up. We have food vendors that are coming in, starting to get their concessions stands ready to go. We have grounds preparation that's taking place, getting ready to take on all these people.”

— Alan Phillips, CEO (KYMA)

“We have six days of racing that will be taking place on the first weekend. We have go karts. And then on the second weekend we have lightning sprints and dwarf cars.”

— Alan Phillips, CEO (KYMA)

What’s next

For more information, check out the Fairground's website.

The takeaway

The Mid-Winter Fair is a long-standing tradition in the Imperial Valley that draws large crowds each year, serving as a major economic driver for the region. The fair's mix of food, entertainment, and agricultural events makes it a highly anticipated annual event for local residents.