KING CITY — The 81st annual Salinas Valley Fair brought thousands of fairgoers to King City’s Salinas Valley Fairgrounds from May 15 to 18, delivering on its promise of “The Berry Best Fair.” With a theme honoring the region’s rich agricultural heritage, this year’s celebration showcased a vibrant blend of tradition, family, food and fun.
The four-day event featured a jam-packed schedule of attractions and entertainment for all ages, starting Thursday, May 15, with high-octane Flat Track Motorcycle Races at the Stampede Arena and the flavorful Grand Tasting experience in the Orradre Building. Friday drew crowds with the roaring 4×4 Truck and Tractor Pulls and fan-favorite Vendetta Pro Wrestling matches.
On Saturday, the spotlight turned to agriculture and music. The Junior Livestock Auction, a cornerstone of the fair, brought together more than 900 local 4-H and FFA members who showcased months of hard work raising and preparing their animals for sale.
“Learning to produce food for my table and how to be in business for myself — valuable lessons I learned as a 4-H and FFA member,” said Cody Bassetti, the fair’s Junior Livestock Auction Director. “Now as the volunteers and the auction buyers, we’re all doing our part to ensure these lessons continue for kids in our community.”
Among the many highlights of the auction was the sale of the Salinas Valley Fair Heritage Foundation’s 2025 Heritage Animal, raised by Valeria Beltran, a junior from Gonzales High School. Beltran, who serves as vice president of Gonzales FFA, raised a hog for the scholarship program. Reserve Scholarship Winner Christopher Castro, a senior from Greenfield FFA, also raised a hog that was auctioned.
The 2025 auction was dedicated to Johnny and Richard Domingos — stalwarts of the Swine Department and lifelong contributors to the fair. The brothers, sons of former director John “Bud” Domingos, have dedicated more than 6,000 hours to the fair over five decades. From branding pigs and managing weigh-ins to passing on knowledge to their children and grandchildren, their dedication has helped shape the swine shows into the smooth-running tradition they are today.
“The Swine Department runs like a well-oiled machine due to the dedication and hard work the Domingos brothers and their families have given to the Salinas Valley Fair,” stated the Fair.
Saturday evening capped off with a high-energy concert headlined by Chase Bryant, a country music sensation known for his hit “Take It On Back.” Bryant’s guitar skills and magnetic stage presence electrified the Stampede Arena, joined by rising star Jordan Fletcher. Over at the Steinbeck Stage, Outlaw Mariachi brought a unique blend of Latin rock fusion, keeping spirits high well into the night.
The fair closed on Sunday with the Hispanic Concert Series, a festive celebration of the cultural diversity that makes up the Salinas Valley.
In addition to daily events and evening concerts, the fairgrounds were alive all week with family-friendly attractions. Arty Loon wowed audiences with magic, juggling and puppetry; Happy Day Pony Rides created lasting memories for children; and the Puppy Pals stunt dog show drew laughs and gasps from dog lovers of all ages. Meanwhile, the All Smiles Petting Zoo, Animal Cracker Conspiracy Stilt Walkers, The Drumheads and interactive Mind Works exhibits kept young minds engaged and entertained.
With 24 carnival rides, new food offerings ranging from kabobs to Chinese cuisine, nightly entertainment at the Longbranch Saloon and rows of merchandise vendors, this year’s Salinas Valley Fair proved once again why it remains a treasured tradition in South Monterey County.
As Livestock Committee Chair John Orradre reflected, “Our volunteers, donors and buyers really make the difference. Every year something special and surprising takes place to remind me we have a good thing going in King City.”
View more photos from the 2025 Salinas Valley Fair in a special photo album in the May 28 issue.
