A red tractor and a historic red fire engine sit on the lawn of Depot Park in Rio Linda, in between multiple vendors at the 12th annual Rio Linda Elverta Country Faire. Photo by Seth Henderson

RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) - With the sound of cannons roaring, the smell of food trucks in the air and vendors as far as the eye can see, thousands of patrons were freely admitted to the 12th annual Rio Linda Elverta Country Faire at Depot Park on Sept. 20 and 21.

For the first time in the fair’s history, it was expanded from a one-day event to a two-day event, with many organizers and participants citing the significant and exponential growth of the fair’s attendance each year. 

Various faire attendees of all ages meandered through the canopies of more than 150 vendors that lined the lawn of Depot Park and the parking lot of the park district, featuring resources, local businesses, craft-makers, inventors, foodies, farmers and raffles. 

Patrons browse the more than 150 vendors on Sept. 20 at Depot Park for the 12th annual Rio Linda Elverta Country Faire. Photo by Seth Henderson

Tonya Haddix, president of the Rio Linda Lion’s Club, said that the Sacramento Optimist Club, an international active service club, was a significant sponsor of the event. She said the club’s help this year and last year have been extremely helpful to increase the fair's horizons. 

One of her favorite parts of the event, Haddix said, is not knowing who she might run into. She also said that she enjoys the community showcase, raffles and canon demonstration every year. 

“I’ve been in this community my whole life,” Haddix said, “so people walk through that I’ve known my whole life and it’s just a really good time for the community to come together and see people that they haven’t seen since maybe last year’s country fair.”

A black powder demonstration, lighting canons, was held during the 12th annual Rio Linda Elverta Country Faire by Rogues of the Golden Coast on Sept. 20. Photo by Seth Henderson

The Rio Linda Lion’s Club provided more than 20 eye exams to fair attendees, working with a local optician. Haddix said that if an exam required a follow up, glasses or special attention and an individual didn’t have insurance, the Lion’s Club would help that person find resources to access the care they need.  

Parent engagement educator Heriberto Soto from the Twin Rivers Unified School District was at the country fair with other district members at their resource booth and said that it's exciting to see students from different district programs interacting with each other outside of school at a community event.

Soto said that Haddix and other community members have been great partners to increase the youth’s engagement in community activities, such as the Rio Linda Elverta Country Faire. 

Vice President Shirley Breckenridge from the Rio Linda Elverta Country Faire board of directors said that it has been an incredible experience to watch all the children of the community grow up over the past 12 years. Wishing that her mother was alive to see the country fair’s impact, Breckenridge said that her mother was heavily involved in the Rio Linda Elverta community, gaining recognition among local political figures and playing a significant role with the fire department. 

Five inflatable attractions were available in the Kids’ Fun Zone at the 12th annual Rio Linda Elverta Country Faire on Sept. 20. Photo by Seth Henderson

“How can you not enjoy doing this and be proud of what you do?” Breckenridge said. “People bring their dogs and they bring their llamas and they bring their goats. You never know what you’re going to see walking down the aisle.”

Rio Linda Elverta Country Faire board member and well-known community member Charlea Moore said that “looking at the happy faces makes us laugh,” while she sat under the fair’s information tent next to the Depot Building, which held the Community Showcase. 

The community showcase displayed crafts, talents and skills within the community. Each entry was paired with a ribbon, indicating its placement in the showcase. Entries ranged from farming and agriculture to quilts and crafts. 

Spectators view entries of the Community Showcase at the 12th annual Rio Linda Elverta Country Faire inside the Depot Building at Depot Park on Sept. 20. Photo by Seth Henderson

A Rio Linda resident representing his local businesses, Canopy Security Group and Langley’s Karate School, was certified martial arts and firearm instructor Bob Langley. Langley said that he teaches martial arts to youth and adults in addition to providing the training necessary for a concealed carry permit, also known as a Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) license. Langley’s businesses are in the Rio Linda Shopping Center at 6801 Curved Bridge Road, Suite C.

“The prevention side of things, law enforcement or enforcers, they respond to things that have already happened,” Langley said. “Martial arts and self-defense and being a concealed carrier for home and out in public, is identifying it and preventing it from happening in the first place.”

Catherine Moore, a local American Legion member who frequents the area, attended the country fair with her friend, Leroy Lenderman, a North Highlands resident. Moore said that the fair has more to offer every year compared to previous years.

Catherine Moore said she attended the country fair to support the son of someone she knew who was selling raffle tickets to promote his homeschooling. 

“I think it’s great that there are kids here,” Catherine Moore said. “We need this. We need them to come to these functions, so they continue. If they don’t learn about all of this, it will die.”

As part of the Kids’ Fun Zone, five inflatable attractions were placed in between the Rio Linda Elverta Recreation and Parks District Building and the district’s playground. Inflatables included slides, bounce houses and other interactive games. Children lined up throughout the Kids’ Zone and kept the attractions continuously occupied.  

At the Kids’ Fun Zone during the Rio Linda Elverta Country Faire on Sept. 20, a climbing rock wall sits on the lawn at Depot Park. Photo by Seth Henderson

Lenderman said that he appreciated that anyone could attend the event, no matter their identity, background or beliefs and simply enjoy the fair. He has seen the ripple effect of support throughout the community, Lenderman said, keeping events such as the Rio Linda Elverta Country Faire in a state of constant growth. 

A suggestion box for surveys submitted by fair attendees was stationed at the information tent. The survey asked patrons what went well, what they liked and what could be better for next year.

  

Rogues of the Golden Coast prepare for a black powder demonstration, loading canons while dressed as pirates. Photo by Seth Henderson 

As a suggestion for the next country fair, Catherine Moore and Lenderman said that they would like to see a kids’ parade, allowing them to dress up in whatever costumes they choose. They said that the youth could walk or ride around the venue to music, wearing a ribbon or a sash while holding a balloon and waving to the crowd. 

“We have to enlighten (children) and show them how to socialize and how much fun it is to be around other people,” Catherine Moore said. 

Rogues of the Golden Coast prepare for a black powder demonstration, lighting canons with spectators while dressed as pirates. Photo by Seth Henderson 

Planning for the 2026 Rio Linda Elverta Country Faire will start in January, Breckenridge said. She said that the event can cost anywhere from $40,000-$50,000 to run in its entirety. To become a fair sponsor, vendor, participant or volunteer for next year’s event, visit riolindaelvertacountryfaire.com to get involved.

Other upcoming Rio Linda events include the Oct. 4 Harvest Festival, featuring a car, boat and motorcycle show at no cost to attendees. The festival will take place at the Dry Creek Ranch House, located at 6852 Dry Creek Rd. in Rio Linda from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Craft vendors, food and drinks, and raffle items will be available to participants. To apply as a craft vendor, email Cheryl at [email protected].

Hal Morris (left), a member of the Restoration Crew, speaks with a fair guest in the historic Rio Linda Fire Station across from Depot Park on Sept. 20. Photo by Seth Henderson

 

To support the restoration of the historic Rio Linda Fire Engine No. 2, the Rio Linda Elverta Foundation for the Future announced a fundraiser dinner on Oct. 4 at the Rio Linda Elverta Community Center, located at 810 Oak Lane in Rio Linda. To see the flier for the fundraiser, visit https://www.rleparks.com/foundation-for-the-future. 

Twenty-year-old Avi Chand (left), a graduate of Rio Linda High School, sits with eighth-grader Jacob Lanchinebre in a historic Rio Linda fire engine at the original Rio Linda Fire Station across from Depot Park on Sept. 20. Photo by Seth Henderson

The dinner is expected to be an “all-you-can-eat” chicken and rib dinner with sides and soft drinks at 5 p.m. and the event is scheduled to feature guest speakers, door prizes, drawings and auctions. According to the event flyer, tickets sell out every year and are available in a limited quantity. To purchase tickets for the fundraiser dinner, text "Troy” at 916-243-6904.