Napa fair returns after 2-year COVID hiatus; ‘It’s fun to have life happening again’

NAPA  — Slowly the San Francisco Bay Area is returning from its COVID slumber to signs of life, especially when it comes to street and county fairs.

This week it is the Napa Valley Town and Country Fair that makes a return after a 2-year break due to the COVID outbreak.

Fair goers enjoyed the rides, the food and pthe entertainment. Local youth also rocked the stage as they showed off their musical talents. nap

“It’s fun to have life happening again,” Napa’s Megan Birchard told KPIX while taking in the festivities.   

“We are happy. We like this fair a lot,” Amanda Marek added.

Big name bands were also brought in. While there were endless things to enjoy, it’s the interaction that many missed the most.

“COVID did a lot to a lot to the people,” said Lucas Birchard from Napa said. “So it’s nice to have things going on in the community and have people get together.”

 ]”Feels good,” Crystal Krieder added. “I love it. I love interacting. So it’s good to get out and see people.”

The Napa Valley Town and Country Fair obviously has a Napa flair to it with a wine tent. 

“We’re excited to have a gathering place again where people are able to come and see their neighbors, ” said Corey Oakley, the CEO of Napa Valley Expo. “A place people can come and celebrate with their kids.”

Oakley says they brought all of the traditional fair items back but also new exhibits to attract a larger crowd. The fair had an incredible turnout on opening night and is expecting the crowd to continue throughout the weekend.

 “There’s just an air of excitement,” Oakley said. “I don’t think we saw that in 2019. We took things for granted. Now I think we’re more appreciative of things around us and so the fair brings that out in people.”