The fair will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. by sharing stories from a variety of unique experiences.
MARIN COUNTY, CA — The theme for the 2026 Marin County Fair was announced Monday and it looks to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. by sharing stories from a unique set of diverse American experiences.
The 2026 Marin County Fair’s theme will be “Stars, Stripes and Stories” and will pay tribute to the voices, traditions and experiences that have shaped the U.S., Marin County officials said.
“In developing the theme, we felt it was important to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation, while simultaneously acknowledging that there are many versions of the American story, and it is that tapestry of stories that collectively shape our shared history,” Steve Dow, Marin County Department of Cultural Services director, told Patch.
“Stars, Stripes and Stories” will honor the past, celebrate the present and look to the future. “Stars” highlight community achievements, “stripes” celebrate patriotism and diversity, and “stories” share history, culture and personal narratives.
“The fair has a long history of inclusion and highlighting representation of all of Marin in many ways, including diverse programming of our headliners and local acts on the community stage, highlighting the contributions of our ag communities, our celebrations such as LGBTQ+ Pride Day and Latin Heritage Day, and our content neutral policies with respect to exhibitors and booths wishing to have a presence at the fair,” Dow told Patch.
Fair staff are preparing community projects like a patchwork quilt and a time capsule of Marin County stories, plus special theme competitions. The 2026 fair will feature favorites: fine arts and photography exhibits, headline concerts, carnival rides, sheepdog trials, a petting zoo, and pig races. Competitive exhibits will include themed arts and crafts, decorated cakes and cookies, beer and wine making, jams, jellies, honey and hobby arts.
“We know we are in a time in our nation’s history where expressing one’s patriotism means different things to different people, so our goal for the 2026 Fair is to provide numerous outlets for telling these stories through a community celebration,” Dow told Patch.
The 83-year-old Marin County Fair drew 80,000 attendees in 2025. A six-time recipient of the Western Fair Association’s Merrill Award for innovation, vision, and excellence, it has been recognized as the Healthiest and Greenest County Fair on Earth since 2008, aiming for a 90 percent waste diversion rate, officials said.
Fair tickets go on sale Dec. 1 with special holiday ticket packages. More information about the competitive exhibits will be announced in the coming months.