Paso Robles Event Center

The Paso Robles Event Center, formerly California Mid-State Fairgrounds, is an entertainment complex located in Paso Robles, California. The site opened in 1946[1] for the annual "California Mid-State Fair" (originally known as the "16th District Fair" or "San Luis Obispo County Fair" [1946-80] and "San Luis Obispo County Mid-State Fair" [1981-85]).

Paso Robles Event Center
Address2198 Riverside Ave
Paso Robles, CA 93446-1330
Owner16th District Agricultural Association
OpenedSeptember 11, 1946 (1946-09-11)
Former names
Paso Robles Fairgrounds (1946-86)
California Mid-State Fairgrounds (1986-2005)
Paso Robles Event Center (2006-present)
Banquet/ballroom2,300 (Estrella Hall)
800 (Adelaide Hall, Ponderosa Pavilion)
400 (Frontier Pavilion)
100 (Stockyard Pavilion)
Theatre seating
14,661 (Chumash Grandstand Arena)
7,587 (Hearst Equestrian Center)
4,000 (Fort Frontier Stage)
Enclosed space
 • Total space40 acres (1,700,000 sq ft)
Website
Venue Website

In addition to the fair with a variety of rides, games and activities, concerts, trade shows, conventions, equestrian showcases, craft brewing festivals, roller derby competitions,[2] and other events have taken place at the Event Center.

History
A small decorative flower garden is seen near the main entrance to the Paso Robles Event Center complex during the summer of 2023.
A small decorative flower garden is seen near the main entrance to the complex during the summer of 2023.

The fairgrounds were approved by the state fair board in 1946.[3] In the late 1940s, exhibits included livestock, agriculture, horticulture, domestic science and arts displays, dairy products, bees and honey, poultry, and horse shows.[4]

A flower show building was constructed on the center's grounds in 1968.[5] The fair's flower show began in 1948 and by the early 1990s had grown to feature nearly 2,000 entries annually, either in the fresh-cut or arrangement categories.

In 1972, a moderately sized rock waterfall was added near the main entrance to the fairgrounds.[6] The location added a life-size, thousand-pound bronze statue (sculpted in clay) of a horseback cowboy, named Cool Water, in 2003.[7]

The waterfall was renovated as part of Maynard's Mountain in 2007, named in dedication to former longtime fair manager Maynard Potter.[8]

The neighboring decorations, featuring marigolds, petunias, and ageratum, are now dedicated to Lawrence W. Lewin, formerly the manager of the 16th District Agricultural Association.[9]

Chumash Arena within Paso Robles Event Center is pictured in July 2023.
Chumash Arena within Paso Robles Event Center is pictured in July 2023.

The facility was renamed from the California Mid-State Fairgrounds to Paso Robles Events Center in February 2006 to reflect the variety of functions held at the location year-round in addition to the summer fair.[10]

In February 2020, the California Department of Food and Agriculture awarded $1.39 million in funding to the event center.[11] The funds were set to be used to improve Estrella Hall within the center.[12]

The center's Ponderosa Pavilion has served as an evacuation space during area flooding.[13]

At the shallow basin to the Maynard's Mountain waterfall, Paso Robles Event Center displays a thousand-pound, clay-sculpted bronze statue of a horseback cowboy seeking a drink, entitled "Cool Water."
At the shallow basin to the Maynard's Mountain waterfall, Paso Robles Event Center displays a thousand-pound, clay-sculpted bronze statue of a horseback cowboy seeking a drink, entitled "Cool Water."

Concerts

Through the years, high-profile concerts to take place at the 14,600-seat outdoor Chumash Grandstand Arena (formerly Main Grandstand Arena) have included Lionel Richie in 1984, Dolly Parton in 1986, MC Hammer in 1991, Britney Spears and Def Leppard in 1999, Destiny's Child in 2001, Alicia Keys in 2002, Blink-182 in 2004, Tom Petty in 2005, Aerosmith in 2007, Kelly Clarkson in 2009, Weezer in 2010, Van Halen in 2013, Garth Brooks and the Chainsmokers in 2017, ZZ Top in 2018, and Nelly & T.I. in 2023, among others.[14][15][16][17][18]

Musicians to have played the facility multiple times include Bob Dylan, John Mayer, Kool & the Gang, Alice Cooper, Tim McGraw, Demi Lovato, Journey, and Santana.

Meanwhile, at the southmost end of the center, the smaller Frontier Stage also features a variety of musical acts during the summer schedule.[19]

See also

References
  1. "Paso Robles Fair Ready to Greet Crowds Tomorrow". San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune. September 12, 1946. p. 1.
  2. Freeman, Alicia (November 23, 2010). "Local roller derby rolls with the punches". Mustang Daily. Cal Poly Journalism Department. p. 1.
  3. "District Fair Asks $10,000 to Assist In Site Purchase". San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune. May 21, 1946. p. 1.
  4. "Fair Schedule For Opening At Paso Robles". San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune. September 10, 1947. p. 1.
  5. Dirkx, Phil (July 30, 1991). "Flowers have been her focus since fair began". San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune. pp. A3.
  6. "Tumbling water at fair entry". San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune. June 19, 1972. p. 7.
  7. Manese-Lee, Angela (July 24, 2003). "Bringing Home the Bronze: The California Mid-State Fair Wants to Make a Cowboy Statue a Permanent Addition to Its Grounds". San Luis Obispo Tribune. pp. N1.
  8. Etling, Leah (July 25, 2007). "A Midsummer Revamp for Paso Fairgrounds". The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA). pp. B1.
  9. "Experienced Group Heads County Fair". San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune. August 9, 1963. p. 2.
  10. Wilson, Nick (February 14, 2006). "Fairgrounds Gets a Name Change". The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA). pp. B1.
  11. McIntyre, Ashton (February 19, 2020). "Paso Robles Event Center receives funding for building improvements". KSBY TV. NBC.
  12. Hanamoto, Bryce (February 20, 2020). "Paso Robles Event Center awarded $1.39M for building improvements". KEYT TV.
  13. Gillies, Andrew (January 9, 2023). "Paso Robles issues evacuation order for portions of Riverbank Lane neighborhood". KCOY TV.
  14. Steers, Dennis (August 16, 1984). "Richie's Olympic encore". San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune. pp. A1.
  15. Dirkx, Phil (August 11, 1986). "Dolly Parton: She 'makes my ears hum'". San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune. pp. 4A.
  16. Haley, Kathleen (March 29, 2002). "Fair's Acts Expected to Pay for Themselves". The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA). pp. A1.
  17. Middlecamp, David (March 8, 2021). "Photos from the Vault: Fan frenzy surrounded Britney Spears concert at Mid-State Fair in '99". The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA). pp. 5A.
  18. Rodriguez, Adrian (July 28, 2001). "Paso's Dance With Destiny". The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA). pp. A1.
  19. "Mid-State Fair announces Frontier Stage lineup". Paso Robles Daily News. June 14, 2023.

35.6385°N 120.6873°W / 35.6385; -120.6873


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