2026 plans at Santa Maria Fairpark ‘moving forward’ as search for new leader continues
Dave Alley
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Preparations for the 2026 calendar of events at the Santa Maria Fairpark are underway at the same time the facility’s Board of Directors continues to search for a new permanent chief operating officer (CEO).
The Fairpark, which is operated by a state entity officially known as the 37th District Agriculture Association (DAA), has been without a CEO since the departure of Caitlin Miller last March.
“We are still advertising actively for a CEO,” said Kevin Merrill, Santa Maria Fairpark Board President. “We need one desperately. Any company needs a leader and we certainly need one here. We’re lucky that we have some folks helping us from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) who have stepped up, and we have a CEO from another fairpark helping us right now get through this time that we’re in the in the waiting period.”
Merrill indicated there has been a number of factors that have prevented the Board from filling the CEO position.
“The CEO project, it’s kind of a bureaucratic process working through the state,” said Merrill. “We have to hit certain criteria. And, you know, in Santa Maria is not a cheap place to live and so when people are looking at relocating or coming along to the Central Coast, which is a beautiful place to live, one of the hangs up is, of course, the cost of living here. People really look at that, and so we’re working through those things to see what we can do to entice that position and make it a little more friendly, both economically for them and work with CDFA to fulfill their requirements.”
As the ongoing search stretches on into a new calendar year, planning for the year, especially for the two marquee annual events, the Santa Barbara County Fair and Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival, are having to carry on.
“We’re moving forward even without the CEO position,” said Merrill. “We had a we have a part time, help from another fair park and they’re helping guide our staff, which are really doing a great job. We’ll get these things done, but of course, it’s always better to have a CEO here.”
While the search is ongoing for a new CEO, the Fairpark is set to add a major new attraction to the facility later this year.
The Board is close to finalizing a deal that would relocate the popular Santa Maria BBQ Festival from Pioneer Park to the Fairpark.
“We’re really excited about the Santa Maria BBQ Festival finding its new home here at the Santa Mair Fairpark,” said BBQ Festival Coordinator Jaime Flores. “We’ve been in talks with them over the last few months about relocating the event. We’ve outgrown the venue at Pioneer Park, so this will be the eighth year, and right now the goal is to move it into the month of September, over the weekend of the 18th through the 20th.”
In addition to the future relocation, Flores added the BBQ Festival will dramatically expand in scope and size.
“Going forward, it’s going to be a three-day event, a true celebration of Santa Maria Style barbecue,” said Flores. “Friday night we’ll have our kickoff, with a with a dance party and lots of entertainment. We’ve also rebranded it. It’s now the Santa Maria Barbecue and Music Festival. The music element is being added to the event over the entire weekend with music all the way through Sunday night. So Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be the new dates of the events. We’re super excited to also announced the comeback of the Santa Maria Beer Festival. It’ll be on Sunday, September 20th that same weekend, so Saturday will be the barbecue competition, Sunday, the beer festival, and then music and entertainment all weekend long.”
In addition to the those new elements, Flores added there will also be a carnival added to the festival as well.
“There’ll be carnival rides and activities for the kids,” said Flores. “It’s family friendly. The event is going to be a free event to attend. What people will be paying for is going to be the barbecue sampling during the competition, and then of course, the beer tasting during the beer festival, so those would be the paid tickets that you’ll be purchasing, but other than that, the community, the out of towners, and all those that enjoy barbecue are welcome to join us all weekend long.”
Another notable change set to take place this year will be a significant change to the Santa Barbara County Fair.
Merrill said plans are in the works to open the Fair for a three-day run on the weekend before the traditional Wednesday opening day.
The Santa Barbara County Fair webpage on the Fairpark website lists the Fair to run from Friday, July 3 through Sunda, July 5 and from Wednesday July 8 through Sunday, July 12.
The Fair will be closed to the public on Monday July 6 and Tuesday, July 7, except for the local junior agricultural students.