For many years, the Fairgrounds Grandstand Arena held huge concerts with famous performers like Big Brothers and the Holding Co, Ravi Shankar, the Doors, Credence Clearwater, Santana, Taj-Ma-Hal and Rickie Nelson.

The Fairgrounds was also home to the two Northern California Folk-Rock Festivals held in 1968 and 1969.

The '69 festival featured:
The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Jefferson Airplane, The Chambers Brothers, Led Zeppelin, Eric Burdon, Spirit, Canned Heat, Buffy Sainte-Marie, The Youngbloods, Steve Miller, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Taj Mahal, Noel Redding, Lee Michaels, Blues Image, Santana, Aum, Elvin Bishop, Poco, People!, Lynn County, the Loading Zone, Sweet Linda Divine, Cat Mother, Doc Watson and the New Lost City Ramblers.

Also, the Aquarian Family Festival was a free three-day music festival held here on May 23 - 25 1969. Some of the performers included Big Brother and the Holding Company; Jefferson Airplane; Quicksilver Messenger Service; Strawberry Alarm Clock; Moby Grape; Joy of Cooking; Chocolate Watchband; Throckmorton; and Boz Scaggs.