Division of Fairs & Expositions

Role and Responsibilities

Fair Oversight

The Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Division of Fairs & Expositions (F&E), provides fiscal and policy oversight of the network of California fairs and ensures the best use of available funding and other services. This oversight responsibility includes the following (B&P Code Sections 19606.1 and 19620):

Manage and monitor the solvency of the Fair and Exposition Fund and the Satellite Wagering Account.

• Distribute available state resources to the network of California fairs for local (base) allocations, health and safety repair projects, major maintenance projects, revenue generating projects, pari-mutuel facility improvement, and other fair programs.
• Create a framework for administration of the network of California fairs, allowing for maximum autonomy and local decision making authority.
• Guiding and providing incentives to fairs to seek matching funds and generate new revenue from a variety of sources.
• Support continuous improvement of fair programs to ensure California fairs remain highly relevant community institutions.
• Ensure annual fiscal audits and biennial compliance audits are performed.