activities · 24
what they do
direct service · 24
- Administering Scholarship Programs Targeted Educational ScholarshipsThe organization awards scholarships to youth, with $144,500 distributed to 23 youth in 2025, and plans to award multiple scholarships in 2026, including renewable awards totaling up to $20,000 and $12,000.
- Awarding Scholarships to Youth Targeted Educational ScholarshipsThe organization awards scholarships to youth, with $144,500 distributed to 23 youth in 2025, and plans to award multiple scholarships in 2026, including renewable awards totaling up to $20,000 and $12,000.
- Canned Food Drive Food Packing and Distribution Volunteer ProgramsOrganizes a canned food drive where attendees receive free admission for donating 5 cans of food or non-perishable food items, benefiting St. Mary's Food Bank.
- Communication Contest Public Environmental Events & OutreachOrganizes a communication contest as part of its fair activities.
- Community Stage for Performers Community Live Music SeriesProvides a community stage with one-hour time slots each day of the fair for groups such as bands, dance groups, martial arts groups, and school groups to perform, offering free admission to accepted performers.
- Competitive Creative Arts and Crafts Exhibits Competitive Arts & Crafts ExhibitionsOrganizes competitive creative entries for various items such as quilts, jams, cakes, art, photography, baking, and woodworking, utilizing an online entry system for participants.
- Educational Field Trips Free Educational Field Trips to Agricultural ExhibitsOffers free field trips to public, private, and home schools, providing access to animal exhibits, educational areas like Farm Tours, Farmer for a Day, and the Safety Zone, as well as other exhibits such as sewing, photography, and school art.
- Facilitating Youth Agricultural Competitions and Auctions Youth Livestock Auctions & ExhibitionsThe organization hosts competitive livestock and small stock shows, including large and small stock auctions, and an ag mechanics silent auction, providing a platform for youth to exhibit and sell their projects to fund education and future agricultural endeavors.
- Facilitating Youth Competitions and Auctions Youth Livestock Auctions & ExhibitionsThe organization hosts various competitive events for youth, including livestock and small stock shows, ag mechanics silent auctions, and creative entries for items like quilts and art. These activities culminate in annual auctions where youth can sell their projects to fund future endeavors and education.
- Implementing Community Engagement Programs Literacy Incentive Programs with Tangible RewardsThe organization runs a "Read to Ride" program for K-6 students to earn free carnival rides and organizes a canned food drive where donations grant free fair admission, benefiting St. Mary's Food Bank.
- Managing Fair Operations and RegulationsThe organization manages the operational aspects of the fair, including offering sponsorship opportunities, providing diverse food vendors, and enforcing rules of conduct to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all visitors.
- Offering Educational Programs and Field Trips Free Educational Field Trips to Agricultural ExhibitsThe organization provides free field trips for public, private, and home schools, granting access to animal exhibits, educational areas like Farm Tours and Farmer for a Day, and other exhibits such as sewing, photography, and school art.
- Operating Carnival Rides and Attractions Fee-Based Public Access to Recreational AttractionsThe fair operates a variety of carnival rides and attractions for attendees, including the Crown Carousel, Firehouse, Giant Wheel, Hawaiian Express, Invader, Jumbo Dumbo, Kite Flyer, Mardi Gras Funhouse, Nemo Swings, and Nightmare Dark ride.
- Organizing Creative and Competitive Exhibits Competitive Arts & Crafts ExhibitionsThe organization manages competitive creative entries for various items such as quilts, jams, cakes, art, photography, and woodworking, utilizing an online entry system for submissions.
- Organizing a Canned Food Drive Food Packing and Distribution Volunteer ProgramsThe organization hosts a canned food drive during the fair, offering free admission to attendees who donate 5 cans of food or non-perishable food items, with proceeds benefiting St. Mary's Food Bank.
- Organizing and Hosting the Maricopa County Fair Community Festival & Event OrganizationAnnually organizes and hosts the Maricopa County Fair, attracting over 70,000 visitors, featuring a carnival with various rides, diverse food vendors, free entertainment across multiple stages, and a range of exhibits and competitions.
- Organizing and Hosting the Maricopa County Fair Community Festival & Event OrganizationThe organization plans and hosts the annual Maricopa County Fair, attracting over 70,000 visitors. This includes scheduling the fair dates, managing set-up, and providing a diverse range of attractions and activities for attendees.
- Organizing and Hosting the Maricopa County Fair Community Festival & Event OrganizationThe organization annually hosts the Maricopa County Fair, attracting over 70,000 visitors, featuring a carnival with various rides, diverse food vendors, free entertainment across multiple stages, and a range of demonstrations and activities.
- Providing Community Performance Opportunities Community Live Music SeriesThe organization offers a community stage with one-hour time slots each day of the fair for various groups, including bands, dance groups, and school groups, to perform, with free admission for accepted performers.
- Providing Educational and Entertainment Programs at the FairThe fair offers various educational and entertainment programs, including free field trips for K-12 students with access to animal exhibits and educational areas, free stage entertainment featuring local talent, and a "Read to Ride" program for children to earn carnival rides.
- Read to Ride Program Literacy Incentive Programs with Tangible RewardsOperates a "Read to Ride" program that allows K-6 students to earn 4 free carnival rides on Thursdays by reading books.
- Scholarship Program Targeted Educational ScholarshipsAwards scholarships to youth, with $144,500 awarded to 23 youth in 2025, and plans to award multiple scholarships in 2026, including renewable awards totaling up to $20,000 and $12,000, along with additional variable awards.
- Sponsorship Opportunities Youth Beef Advocacy CompetitionsOffers sponsorship opportunities for the Maricopa County Fair and for awards to recognize achievements of youth in Maricopa County.
- Youth Livestock and Small Stock Programs Youth Livestock Auctions & ExhibitionsHosts youth livestock and small stock exhibits, shows, and auctions, including large stock (sheep, beef, dairy cattle, goats, swine) and small stock (poultry, rabbits, cavies, dairy and pygmy goats), and an ag mechanics silent auction, allowing youth to sell their projects to fund education and future projects.
strategies · 13
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Code of Conduct Enforcement code_of_conduct_enforcementWe operate the fair under a code of conduct designed to ensure a safe, secure, and pleasant environment for guests, promoting a positive experience for all attendees.
- Community Support for Youth Development community_support_for_youth_developmentWe provide opportunities for community members to support youth participants, fostering a sense of community involvement and investment in youth development.
- Educational Engagement educational_engagementWe engage with teachers to facilitate student participation through field trips and other educational opportunities, promoting hands-on learning experiences.
- Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Visitor Experience operational_efficiency_and_visitor_experienceThe organization aims to enhance operational efficiency and visitor experience by standardizing point-of-sale systems for concession vendors, offering sponsorship opportunities for businesses to promote their brands, and maintaining a safe and pleasant environment through a code of conduct. It also provides alternative entry methods for those facing technical challenges.
- Experiential Learning experiential_learningWe use animal raising as a learning opportunity to teach children about animal husbandry, finances, responsibility, and life cycles, promoting practical skills and knowledge.
- Facilitating Educational Engagement through School Partnerships educational_partnershipsThe organization engages with teachers to facilitate student participation in its programs through field trips and other educational opportunities, aiming to integrate its offerings with formal education.
- Fostering Experiential Learning through Animal Husbandry experiential_learningThe organization utilizes animal raising as a hands-on learning opportunity to educate children on various life skills, including animal husbandry, financial management, responsibility, and understanding life cycles.
- Promoting Youth Education and Development youth_education_and_developmentThe organization promotes education among youth through scholarship programs and by providing opportunities for community members to support youth participants. It also facilitates student participation through field trips and other educational opportunities, and uses animal raising as a learning opportunity to teach children animal husbandry, finances, responsibility, and life cycles.
- Promoting Youth Education through Scholarships scholarship_programThe organization uses a scholarship program as a direct method to promote and support education among youth, providing financial assistance to further their academic pursuits.
- Scholarship Promotion education_promotion_through_scholarshipsWe use a scholarship program as a method to promote education among youth, providing financial support to encourage academic achievement.
- Sponsorship Opportunities sponsorshipsWe offer sponsorship opportunities to businesses to promote their brands and reach potential clients among fair visitors, creating mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Standardized Technology Adoption standardized_technology_adoptionWe require all concession vendors to use the Clover POS system to standardize point-of-sale, streamline sales reporting, and improve operational efficiency.
- Standardizing Operations for Efficiency and Enhanced Experience operational_standardizationThe organization mandates the use of a specific POS system (Clover) and subscription (Apex) for all concession vendors to standardize point-of-sale operations, streamline sales reporting, improve overall operational efficiency, and enhance payment processing for a better visitor experience.
named programs · 8
what they call their work
Ag Mechanics Silent Auction
A silent auction for Ag Mechanics projects held during the fair.
Canned Food Drive
Offers free admission to the fair for individuals who bring 5 cans of food or non-perishable food items to benefit St. Mary's Food Bank.
Community Stage
Provides a platform for local groups (singers, dancers, choirs, bands, belly dancers) to perform during the fair, with free admission for accepted performers.
Exhibits & Competitions
Competitions for various categories including art, baking, photography, quilting, and woodworking, open to students and community members.
Field Trips
Free educational field trips for county public, private, and home schools, offering access to animal exhibits, livestock, competitive exhibits, and interactive educational areas like Farm Tours and Safety Zone.
Junior Auctions
Auctions for small stock (poultry, rabbits, cavies, dairy & pygmy goats) and large livestock (sheep, beef, dairy cattle, goats & swine) where youth exhibitors sell their projects.
Read to Ride
Allows students in grades K-6 to ride 4 carnival rides for free on Thursdays by demonstrating they have read books.
Scholarship Program (Educational Grant)
Provides scholarships to high school seniors and first-year college students from Maricopa County who have participated in the fair at least twice.
relationships · 34
who they work with
- ALICIA’S MEXICAN KITCHEN Partner — Food vendor at the fair
- AWF Partner — Donated and sponsored exhibitor shavings in 2025.
- Auza Contracting Funder — Sponsor of the fair.
- BOBA KING Partner — Food vendor at the fair
- BRIAN’S BAKED POTATOES Partner — Food vendor at the fair
- Butler Amusements Partner — Presents the carnival rides at the fair.
- CANDY SHACK Partner — Food vendor at the fair
- CHUBS Partner — General fair food vendor
- DA’ LEMON Partner — Food vendor at the fair
- DBA Construction Funder — Sponsor of the fair.
- FRANCESCO’S CUCINA ITALIANA Partner — Food vendor at the fair
- GIANT BABY BOTTLE Partner — Fruit punch vendor at the fair
- GRANDMA HERZBERGS PRETZEL AND LEMONADE Partner — Pretzel and lemonade vendor at the fair
- GRILLED CHEESE Partner — Food vendor at the fair
- HOG DADDYS Partner — General fair food vendor
- JUMBO HAND DIPPED CORN DOGS Partner — Food vendor at the fair
- KETTLE CORN Partner — Food vendor at the fair
- Kahoots Feed and Pet Partner — Donated and sponsored exhibitor shavings in 2025.
- Karen Searle Partner — Executive Director responsible for managing sponsorship inquiries.
- MAILE & SON FRYBREAD Partner — Food vendor at the fair
- Maricopa County Fair Partner — Youth must have participated in the Maricopa County Fair at least two times to be eligible for the scholarship.
- PIZZA Partner — Food vendor at the fair
- RHINOS GLAZED ALMONDS Partner — Food vendor at the fair
- ROWDYS BURGERS Partner — Food vendor at the fair
- SRP Funder — Sponsor of the fair.
- STEVE’S SMOKIN BBQ Partner — BBQ vendor at the fair
- STIZZY’S FUNNEL CAKES Partner — Funnel cake vendor at the fair
- SWEET CHEEKS Partner — Deep fried treats and ice cream vendor at the fair
- Sanderson Ford Funder — Sponsor of the fair, with the Sanderson Ford Arena hosting events like Monster Trucks.
- St. Mary’s Food Bank Partner — Beneficiary of the fair's canned food drive.
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