History

The 9th District Agricultural Association was formed by the citizens of Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties in the early 1880s. By 1893 Del Norte and Mendocino transferred out of the District, leaving Humboldt County as the sole area of the District. Fairs were conducted by the 9th DAA and the Mechanical Fair Association for the next several years.

In Spring 1899 a group of Eureka businessmen and members of the Ferndale Fair Committee met and made plans to hold a Fair in the Fall of 1899.

It could not be agreed as to where the Fair would take place, Eureka or Ferndale. A motion was made to hold the Fair in Eureka and the 9th DAA became the Fair to be held in Eureka.

A new building located on 2nd and A Streets, known as the Occidental Pavilion, was leased by the 9th DAA. Along with the South Park Race Track it became the new home of the District Fair. These highly popular annual events continued until 1904. District activities lapsed from 1904 until 1937.

In February 1937 the Governor appointed a new Board of Directors and the District was re-activated under provisions of the California Agricultural Code, following passage of the horse racing act. Funds were raised to purchase 40 acres of the McKay property on Harris Street (the present fairgrounds location) from interested citizens. In 1938 the property was sold to the State of California. The new grounds were named Redwood Acres. Construction was started that same year and continued through 1938. Pari-mutuel horse racing and livestock shows were held until World War II started in 1941. There were no Fair events during the war years.

Redwood Acres Continues to be the largest Class III interim use Fair in the State with over 500,000 attendees yearly. Redwood Acres is governed by a nine member Board appointed by the Governor of California. The annual Fair is held each year during the last full week in June with scheduled events weekly throughout the year, including Stock Car Racing on a 3/8-mile paved track, BMX, baseball field, batting cages, 164-stall horse boarding facility with four riding arenas (one covered), RV and boat storage during winter months, a recycling center, and a 52-space RV park with water, electric and sewer hookups.

The mission of the 9th DAA is to serve the community and to provide entertainment, education and a facility for year-round events for all adults and youth.

The above information condensed from a 9th DAA story by Glen N. Nash, Humboldt County Historical Society