Finding Aid to the San Francisco Urban Fair and Exposition Contest Records,
1982-1987,
SFH 738
Finding aid written by Tami J. Suzuki.
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Aug. 12, 2023
Title: San Francisco Urban Fair and Exposition Contest Records
Date (inclusive): 1982-1987
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 738
Creator:
Goldstone, Merle
Physical Description:
1 carton
(1 cubic foot)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4562
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Physical Location: The collection is stored off site.
Language of Material: Collection materials are in English.
Access
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Collections that are stored offsite should
be requested 48 hours in advance.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], San Francisco Urban Fair and Exposition Contest Records (SFH 738), San Francisco History Center,
San Francisco Public Library.
Provenance
Donated by Merle Goldstone on Nov. 13, 2015.
Processing Information
Processed by Tami J. Suzuki.
Historical Note
The San Francisco Urban Fair and Exposition was the first urban county fair in California, operating in the 1980s. The first
fair was held June 25-27, 1982 at Moscone Center, and was the inaugural event there. It celebrated San Francisco through ethnic
dances, foods, wines, exhibits and informational booths, children's activities, local art efforts and contests. Later sites
included Fort Mason, Brooks Hall, and the Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center.
Events tested fog calling, waitperson and one-liner come-on skills. There were food contests as well as a bicycle messenger
olympics, pet competition, lowrider car show, parking space contest, Herb Caen column-writing event, Ghirardelli Square treasure
hunt, and Financial District businesswomen's team competition.
Merle Goldstone served as the fair's contest director from 1982 to 1987. Goldstone was also a juggler and street performer
with the San Francisco Mime Troop, a publicist for Macy's, and later the Public Information Officer for the city's Department
of Public Works.
The program was governed by State Fair guidelines, beginning with California legislation authorizing the formation of the
San Francisco Fair Board of the Fifth Agrictultural District. Fair logos were donated by Landor Associates, and the cow artwork
was designed by Vince Romaniello. The fair was downsized after 1987 and became a Youth Fair, with a big skateboard competition
sponsored by
Thrasher
magazine. The fair eventually closed.
Scope and Contents
Includes contest entry forms, contest books and programs, photographs, administrative documents and manuals, lists of judges
and winners, press kits, broadcast news audio and video coverage, and newspaper clippings.
Arrangement
Organized alphabetically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Fairs -- California -- San Francisco.
San Francisco (Calif.) -- History.
San Francisco Urban Fair and Exposition.
Contest Manager's Handbook
Contests Financial District Strut
Photographs
Restriction
Gloves required. Photographs cannot be photocopied.
State Administrative Manual
Press Materials, By Year
1982-1987
Radio Coverage
Material Specific Details: Includes an audio cassette.
Video Coverage
Material Specific Details: Includes VHS and broadcast formats (U-matic and Betamax).
