Out at the Fair Creates LGBTQ+ Family-Friendly Spaces

Out at the Fair (OATF) is the official LGBTQ+ family-friendly festival of the Fair industry. After a small number of queer attendees at the San Diego County Fair in 2011, organizers set up a Facebook check-in for an ‘unofficial gay days event,’ which ultimately led to the creation of the organization and the first official OATF event at the San Diego Fair in 2014. It has since grown beyond San Diego to include the California and New Mexico State Fairs in 2017, the Marin and Santa Clara County Fairs in 2018, the Almeda, Orange and Sonoma County Fairs in 2019 and now, post-covid, has launched at the Washington County (Oregon) Fair earlier this summer and is scheduled to debut at the Alaska State Fair on August 27.

The goal of OATF is to build a safe space for our community at participating fairs while focusing on inclusion, education, and fun. The Sonoma County Fair is slated to take place on August 13 and will feature circus acts, family look-a-like contests, scarecrow building, and unbuilding contests as well as performances by magician and ventriloquist Jack Spareribs and international singer/ songwriter Debby Holliday with a tribute to Tina Turner.

Later in the month, queer residents of Palmer, Alaska are asked to gather together to put the ‘I’ in the Fair sign at the Alaska State Fair at 4 pm sharp on August 27. Participants are encouraged to wear something rainbow and join the photo to establish visibility for OATF and the LGBTQ+ community at the event.

The final Fair of the season will take place on September 11 at the New Mexico State Fair with details to follow as the date gets closer.

If you are interested in hosting an Out at the Fair festival at your local fair, have your organizers contact them directly through their website. Also, take a look at the full rundown of events HERE.

Looking for more family travel ideas? Check out our list of 10 Queer-Friendly Family Vacations for some travel inspiration.