| Paso Robles Event Center | |
| Address: | 2198 Riverside Ave Paso Robles, CA 93446-1330 |
| Owner: | 16th District Agricultural Association |
| Former Names: | Paso Robles Fairgrounds California Mid-State Fairgrounds Paso Robles Event Center |
| Banquets: | 2,300 800 400 100 |
| Theatre: | 14,661 7,587 4,000 |
| Total Space: | 40acres |
The Paso Robles Event Center, formerly California Mid-State Fairgrounds, is an entertainment complex located in Paso Robles, California. The site opened in 1946[1] for the annual "California Mid-State Fair" (originally known as the "16th District Fair" or "San Luis Obispo County Fair" [1946-80] and "San Luis Obispo County Mid-State Fair" [1981-85]).
In addition to the fair with a variety of rides, games and activities, concerts, trade shows, conventions, equestrian showcases, craft brewing festivals, roller derby competitions,[2] and other events have taken place at the Event Center.
The fairgrounds were approved by the state fair board in 1946.[3] In the late 1940s, exhibits included livestock, agriculture, horticulture, domestic science and arts displays, dairy products, bees and honey, poultry, and horse shows.[4]
A flower show building was constructed on the center's grounds in 1968.[5] The fair's flower show began in 1948 and by the early 1990s had grown to feature nearly 2,000 entries annually, either in the fresh-cut or arrangement categories.
In 1972, a moderately sized rock waterfall was added near the main entrance to the fairgrounds.[6] The location added a life-size, thousand-pound bronze statue (sculpted in clay) of a horseback cowboy, named Cool Water, in 2003.[7]
The waterfall was renovated as part of Maynard's Mountain in 2007, named in dedication to former longtime fair manager Maynard Potter.[8]
The neighboring decorations, featuring marigolds, petunias, and ageratum, are now dedicated to Lawrence W. Lewin, formerly the manager of the 16th District Agricultural Association.[9] The facility was renamed from the California Mid-State Fairgrounds to Paso Robles Events Center in February 2006 to reflect the variety of functions held at the location year-round in addition to the summer fair.[10]
In February 2020, the California Department of Food and Agriculture awarded $1.39 million in funding to the event center.[11] The funds were set to be used to improve Estrella Hall within the center.[12]
The center's Ponderosa Pavilion has served as an evacuation space during area flooding.[13]
Through the years, high-profile concerts to take place at the 14,600-seat outdoor Chumash Grandstand Arena (formerly Main Grandstand Arena) have included Lionel Richie in 1984, Dolly Parton in 1986, MC Hammer in 1991, Britney Spears and Def Leppard in 1999, Destiny's Child in 2001, Alicia Keys in 2002, Blink-182 in 2004, Tom Petty in 2005, Aerosmith in 2007, Kelly Clarkson in 2009, Weezer in 2010, Van Halen in 2013, Garth Brooks and the Chainsmokers in 2017, ZZ Top in 2018, and Nelly & T.I. in 2023, among others.[14] [15] [16] [17] [18]
Musicians to have played the facility multiple times include Bob Dylan, John Mayer, Kool & the Gang, Alice Cooper, Tim McGraw, Demi Lovato, Journey, and Santana.
Meanwhile, at the southmost end of the center, the smaller Frontier Stage also features a variety of musical acts during the summer schedule.[19]