Friends of the California State Fair Offer Students Money

Taylor HillmanEducation, Industry News Release

Cal Expo
Friends of the California State Fair will begin accepting scholarship applications today for the 2016-2017 academic school year. The application is available at CAStateFair.org. Scholarships will be awarded in the following areas: agriculture, animal science, arts, business, culinary, education, enology, event planning, fair industry management, international studies, teaching and viticulture.

This program seeks to motivate well-rounded, high academic achievers that will be enrolled in a four-year accredited college/university, community college or trade school program in the state of California for the 2016-2017 school year. Applications are due Thursday, March 3, 2016. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of personal commitment, goals established for their chosen field, leadership potential and civic accomplishments. All applicants are also eligible for the Ironstone Concours d’Elegance $5,000 outstanding candidate scholarship.

The Friends of the Fair Scholarship Program was initiated in 1993 and is a collaborative effort of the Friends of the California State Fair, the California Exposition & State Fair and the California State Fair Agricultural Advisory Council. Major yearly contributors to the fund include Ironstone Concours d’Elegance Foundation, Blue Diamond Growers, Western Fairs Association, California Milk Advisory Board and Bob & Beverly Gilbert. The recipients of the scholarships will be honored at the Friends of the California State Fair Gala on June 23, 2016.

Information about categories, eligibility, and the application process can be found at CAStateFair.org. Additional questions can be directed to Natalie Minas at (916) 263-3277 or scholarship@calexpo.com. The California State Fair will run July 8-24, 2016.

About the Friends of the California State Fair

The Friends of the California State Fair is a charitable, non-profit, volunteer organization that supports programs and education initiatives at the California Exposition & State Fair. For nearly three decades the Friends of the California State Fair have supported California students through their scholarship program. In 2015, a total of twenty six scholarships totaling $33,500 were awarded, including a $5,000 scholarship from Ironstone Concours Foundation to Alexandra Gambonini from Petaluma, California. The membership serves as ambassadors for the California State Fair.