Alameda County Fairgrounds: 2021 Fair Reopens; Tractor Museum Debuts

PLEASANTON, CA — The Alameda County Fair reopened Monday and a new, permanent exhibit is slated to debut Tuesday.

The fair closed Sunday as high winds and heavy rain battered the Bay Area amid a record-breaking storm. Sunnier skies prevailed Monday, paving the way for the fair to reopen at 3 p.m.

Guests who visit the fair Tuesday will be among the first to see the American Farm Tractor Museum, which seeks "to pay homage to Alameda County's deep agricultural roots," the fair announced Monday.

The museum will be a space for school visits and community gatherings.

“All the tractors on display at the museum are part of the Fair’s ‘Agricultural Heritage’ collection,” said fair CEO Jerome Hoban in a statement. “They have been lovingly restored and possess a meaningful, rich history.”

A grand opening and ribbon-cutting for the museum will be held 4 p.m. Tuesday at fairgrounds Building F.

A portion of the event will be dedicated to honoring the service of Raul Santiago, fairgrounds ground crew supervisor, who has long serviced the vintage machines. You might have spotted Santiago in years past as he loaded and drove the tractors at community events.

“Raul has a personal passion for each tractor and takes such good care of them for us,” said Angel Moore, fairgrounds vice president of business development, in a statement.