A community storytelling exhibit

Capturing the spirit and legacy of the Fairgrounds.

The Fairgrounds

 

The Fairgrounds is a 55-acre, multi-use property located in the heart of Petaluma. It serves as:

  • A community gathering and celebration space

  • Support for our agricultural heritage, education, and industry

  • A place to help those in-need during emergencies

  • Home of the annual 5-day Sonoma-Marin Fair

Through the years, this site has provided a place for fun, learning, special occasions, respite and refuge during crises, as well as many lasting memories for Petalumans, County residents, and visitors. It is a truly unique place that is loved by so many. The Fairgrounds is an important part of our community as well as our local history.

 

Purpose of the Exhibit

 

This is a community storytelling exhibit hosted by the City of Petaluma and Petaluma Regional Library. It features videos, voice recordings, paintings, poems, collages, and more - all submitted by the community!

Storytelling focuses on relationships, interactions, and feelings. By sharing stories and memories about the Fairgrounds it helps highlight the dynamic relationships our community has with the property.

The exhibit invites participants into a process of building shared understanding, awareness, and empowerment through individual and collective remembrance and aims to achieve the following:

·   Honor legacy

·   Validate experiences

·   Share truth

·   Embrace emotions

·   Empower community

·   Uncover hidden histories

·   Encourage creativity

·   Archive stories and memories

The exhibit is modeled after a dignity-infused engagement strategy established by The Thrivance Group. Learn more about dignity-infused engagement and their work here.

 

Storytelling INstructions

These instructions will help you capture your story but first you should decide which form you will your story will take.

To give you an idea here are some popular story forms: video, voice recording, photograph, artwork including a painting, collage, drawing, or sculpture, and a written word piece such as a poem or song.

Once you have chosen your story form read those specific instructions!

 
  • Please introduce yourself at the beginning of the recording. The following questions are optional and are just a suggestion to include in your introduction.

    Share your first name and last initial, or your initials

    Share your age

    Share what city you live in

    Share a little bit about yourself (favorite hobby, if you have any pets) and how long you have been visiting the Fairgrounds

    The following questions are designed to help guide you through the storytelling process. Please be as descriptive as possible when answering. Try using your various senses (sounds, smells, tastes, feels) and descriptive words. There are no wrong answers!

    As a warmup to get the creativity flowing ask yourself... If you had to describe the Fairgrounds in three words, what would they be? If the Fairgrounds had a theme song, what would it be? If the Fairgrounds had a mascot, what would it be?

    Now we ask you...

    How would you describe the Fairgrounds to someone who has never been there? Think about how you feel when you are on the Fairgrounds, what are you seeing, smelling, hearing?

    Describe how you have experienced the Fairgrounds. What do you do while at the Fairgrounds? How do you get there? What’s the weather like?

    Please share a personal story that is related to the Fairgrounds. Is there a specific memory that comes to mind? What would you like to add to the community’s collective memory and archive of the Fairgrounds?

    When finished you can upload your recording here.

  • We invite you to submit original artwork that captures a personal story or memory about the Fairgrounds.

    When thinking about the story or memory you would like to share we invite you to get the creativity flowing and ask yourself... If you had to create a logo for the Fairgrounds, what would it look like? What colors come to mind when you think about the Fairgrounds? What textures and patterns?

    The following questions are offered as a guide to help you brainstorm your piece, they are only a suggestion and do not need to be answered through your artwork.

    How would you describe the Fairgrounds to someone who has never been there? Think about how you feel when you are on the Fairgrounds, what are you seeing, smelling, hearing?

    Describe how you have experienced the Fairgrounds. What do you do while at the Fairgrounds? How do you get there? What’s the weather like?

    Please share a personal story that is related to the Fairgrounds. Is there a specific memory that comes to mind? What would you like to add to the community’s collective memory and archive of the Fairgrounds?

    Please upload your artwork here.

  • We invite you to submit a photograph that was captured at the Fairgrounds and share a story or memory that accompanies it OR you are welcome to submit a photograph that was not captured on the Fairgrounds but speaks to a story or memory on the Fairgrounds.

    When finished you can upload the photograph here.

  • We invite you to submit an original piece of writing that captures a story or memory related to the Fairgrounds.

    When thinking about the story or memory you would like to share we invite you to get the creativity flowing and ask yourself... If you had to describe the Fairgrounds in three words, what would they be? If the Fairgrounds had a theme song, what would it be? If the Fairgrounds were a novel what is it’s title?

    The following questions are offered as a guide to help you write your piece, they are only a suggestion and do not need to be answered in your submission.

    How would you describe the Fairgrounds to someone who has never been there? Think about how you feel when you are on the Fairgrounds, what are you seeing, smelling, hearing?

    Describe how you have experienced the Fairgrounds. What do you do while at the Fairgrounds? How do you get there? What’s the weather like?

    Please share a personal story that is related to the Fairgrounds. Is there a specific memory that comes to mind? What would you like to add to the community’s collective memory and archive of the Fairgrounds?

    Please upload your poem or written word piece here.

  • We invite you to submit a personal story or memory about the Fairgrounds in a form of media that is not listed above.

    Please contact Kelsey Hubbard, khubbard@cityofpetaluma.org to make sure the exhibit can accommodate your story form.

    Please upload your submission here.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 
  • There are several ways to submit your story to the exhibit.

    1. Submit Online. You can submit your story directly on this website. This is best for when you capture your story at home and want to digitally upload your story without any in-person interaction. Check out the page here.

    2. Attend a Storytelling Event at the Petaluma Regional Library! Join us for a fun event at the library where a recording booth and other art materials will be available for your to capture your story in whichever form you desire!

    3. Drop-off your submission at the Petaluma Regional Library. This is best for if you capture your story at home but don’t want to digitally upload it. Head to the Library and ask a Librarian where to drop-off your story.

  • Yes! If you have any questions or need any help in the storytelling process please contact David Garcia at dgarcia@cityofpetaluma.org

  • Yes, at this time we ask your stories and memories be connected to the spirit and legacy of the Petaluma Fairgrounds.

  • No need to sign up ahead of time! Just stop on by during a Storytelling Event at the Library.

  • Check out the instructions page on the exhibit webpage to help you prepare for recording your story.

  • No! The cost is entirely free. The exhibit is hosted by City of Petaluma and the Petaluma Regional Library.

  • There is no age requirement, we welcome submissions from everyone!

  • No, but it may be helpful! If you are recording your story at home it is best to have a partner with you to help you hold the camera and even ask you some questions to help guide your through the storytelling experience, however it is up to you!

  • No, there will be staff present at the recording booth to help you record your story.

  • Right here! You can view the full gallery of submitted community stories on the exhibit gallery page.