LAKEPORT, Calif. — While the theme for the 2025 Lake County Fair is “Blast from the Past,” the fair is something new for its recently hired chief executive officer.

Drew Jacoby has been on the job officially since February, calling Lake County, “the best kept secret of the Bay Area.” 

Previously a resident of Atlanta, he said he’s happy to be here and loves the small town feel and kind people. 

Jacoby enjoys his lunches at Howling Dog Cafe and dinners at recently opened Lakshmi Cuisine of India. 

Jacoby and his team are busy making final preparations to the fairgrounds at 401 Martin St.

This year, the fair will take place from Thursday, Aug. 28, through Sunday, Aug. 31.

On Thursday, Aug. 28, a traditional parade in downtown Lakeport will kick off the event with Congressman Mike Thompson as the grand marshal. 

With Lake County’s small town feel, the fair is something to look forward to every year. 

The fair will be keeping many traditions. Rides will be available with a cost of $33 for an unlimited pass. The typical fair food of corn dogs, cotton candy, and funnel cakes will be for sale — as well as some Mexican food stands, Thai food from Lakeport, and even fried bread tacos. 

The grandstand, the main stage of the fairgrounds, will have events Thursday to Sunday. 

On Thursday it will be the Junior Bull Riders Tour with mini bulls and more. On Friday, the Moto Xtreme Thrill Show will offer a blend of BMX events, freestyle motocross or FMX, and lots of fun performances for thrill seekers.

To keep with Lake County tradition, Saturday will include the highly anticipated boat races.

To end the fair on Sunday, the grandstand will host the Jaripeo, a Mexican rodeo.

It's a fair staff’s hope that everyone can find something to enjoy.

To keep with the “Blast from the Blast” theme, the fair will be doing something brand new this year. 

Back in 1999, the Upper Lake 4-H Club buried a time capsule to commemorate their lived experience in one of the barns at the fairgrounds.

To celebrate the capsule’s 25th anniversary, on Friday the capsule will be opened for the first time. Many alumni from the club will be in attendance to see what all was in there.

A new capsule is being created as well. Upper Lake 4-H Club members from 1999 to present will provide memorabilia for the new capsule’s contents.

Jacoby noted his excitement for the Junior Livestock Auction, most notably the tradition behind it. 

“While working with the committee, I noticed how far back the auction goes. We even have competitors whose families have been competing for three generations,” he said.

With the consistency of the fair giving people this opportunity to raise animals, there are approximately 200 students participating this year. 

Last year, over $750,000 was raised during the sale. Funds also were raised for the Lake County Fair Foundation from the auction. Jacoby is hopeful of making more money this year and for years to come. 

Another big draw of the fair is the flowers, plants, preserved foods and baked goods. Over 100 flowers have been submitted this year from gardens all over the county. 

The flowers are grown by the exhibitor and follow some guidelines such as nothing rotting and need to be grown in suitable containers. The different categories are arrangements, containers, beta fish gardens, cut flowers and even a filled 4-wheel wagon. 

While most of the floral competitions are looks alone, there are also ones that are judged on scent only. The plants are mainly judged on appearance and weight.

Lake County locals will be recognized for their homemade creations. The preserved foods and baked goods are judged on taste, flavor, aroma and appearance. Cakes, breads, various types of cookies, and muffins will all be on display. 

Additionally, jams, jellies, butter, honey, canned fruit, and various sauces will be judged. Dried food like jerky, fruits, and vegetables can also receive ribbons. 

While reflecting on the planning of the fair, Jacoby is full of nothing but gratitude. He’s happy to know the board of the fair “hired this city boy.” 

He’ll be spending the days of the fair walking around, introducing himself to the community and helping out vendors in any way he can. 

“The fairgrounds belong to this community. I’m just lucky to be the one organizing everything,” Jacoby said. 

He and his staff invite the community to come by the fair for some great food, laughs and fun for the whole family.

Prices on presale online and at some retailers at $9 for adults and $4 for children and senior citizens. On the day of, tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children and senior citizens.

To buy tickets ahead of time, visit the fair’s ticket website.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the 1999 time capsule came from the Upper Lake High School senior class. In fact, it came from the Upper Lake 4-H Club. The article has been corrected.

Jordan O’Halloran writes feature stories for Lake County News.