In a unanimous decision, the Napa County Board of Supervisors has sealed the deal to sell Calistoga Fairgrounds to the City of Calistoga, locking in a price tag of $2 million. This move, aimed at rejuvenating a key community hub, solidifies plans for the fairgrounds' future, which includes sticking to its roots with county fairs, event spaces, and other recreational facilities, according to an announcement by the county.
As outlined in the agreement, Napa County retains the right to swoop back in and repurchase the grounds under certain conditions. Emergency responses can also use the property, ensuring the site remains a focal point in times of crisis. However, the Napa County Office of Education will keep its claws in one acre of land, which stays leased to them and is not part of the city's new stash. "The agreement signifies the collaborative commitment of both the county and city to bring this deal to fruition for the betterment of our community," Chair of the Napa County Board of Supervisors Joelle Gallagher told countyofnapa.org.
The history of the 70.6-acre grounds is nothing short of vivid. From hosting the Annual Napa County Fair to many other festivities and amenities, the fairgrounds have been a Napa Valley staple for over eight decades. Yet financial woes, dilapidating structures, and dwindling fair numbers have cast dark shadows over the once-bustling site in recent years. This shift to city ownership is seen as a welcome uplift in a saga that started in 1935 and was punctuated by the Fair Association calling it quits on the fairgrounds' operations in 2018.
Napa County CEO Ryan Alsop casts a hopeful gaze to the future, stating, "The fairground property has been an important part of this beautiful valley's history and evolution. For decades, it has served as the vibrant focal point of the City of Calistoga, and its preservation and rejuvenation represent a valuable victory for all of us who proudly call Napa Valley our home," a sentiment that captures the heart of the agreement, as reported by countyofnapa.org.
