Hi, Neighbor!

Since 1940, the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds has been more than just a plot of land off Tully Road — it’s been a living snapshot of San Jose’s identity in motion.

What started as a place to showcase the region’s agricultural roots — prize livestock, homegrown produce, and 4-H projects — quickly became a crossroads for music, food, culture, and community pride. For decades, the Fairgrounds hosted the annual Santa Clara County Fair, where families gathered to see monster trucks, ride carnival swings, eat fried everything, and celebrate the valley’s rural past.

But it didn’t stop at corn dogs and Ferris wheels. The Fairgrounds became a stage for legendary concerts (Jimi Hendrix played here!), car shows, boxing matches, and even lowrider competitions, reflecting the changing face of the South Bay across generations.

From quinceañeras to protests, swap meets to art shows — the Fairgrounds has held space for the many ways San Jose shows up.

Though its future has been debated in recent years, one thing’s clear: the Fairgrounds isn’t just land — it’s memory, movement, and the rhythm of the people.

INSPIRATION BEHIND 408 INNOVATES:

Originally illustrated by San Jose artist Rey Giese, this iconic marker inspired the entire 408 Innovates concept.