Santa Fe Dam Renaissance Theme Faire
Summary
SCH Number
2026030849
Public Agency
Los Angeles County Department of Parks & Recreation
Document Title
Santa Fe Dam Renaissance Theme Faire
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/19/2026
Document Description
The proposed project consists of the continued operation and leasing of an existing facility within the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area (SFDRA), a developed regional park that provides a variety of recreational amenities including a swim beach, nature trails, fishing areas, playgrounds, picnic areas, bike trails, food services, and equipment rentals. The park is an established recreational destination that serves approximately 800,000 visitors annually.
The project involves entering into a new agreement between the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (LA County Parks) and Renaissance Entertainment Productions, Inc. (REP) to continue the operation of the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, a recurring seasonal outdoor event held within previously disturbed and developed areas of SFDRA. The Faire is a large-scale, temporary cultural and recreational event featuring costumed performances, arts and crafts vendors, food concessions, music, and theatrical entertainment themed around the Renaissance period.
The Faire operates annually over seven consecutive weekends from early April through late May and attracts approximately 135,000 attendees each year. The event has been held at SFDRA for approximately 17 years under prior agreements and does not require the expansion of existing facilities or development of new permanent structures. All activities occur within the park’s existing operational footprint and utilize temporary, removable infrastructure.
The proposed agreement would allow for the continued use of the site for the Faire, including minor operational enhancements such as improved parking management (e.g., pre-paid parking), coordination of visitor access and circulation, and expanded programming elements. The agreement would also formalize revenue-sharing provisions, including revenue from admissions and alcohol sales, and establish community benefit programs such as distribution of complimentary tickets and reinvestment into park improvements.
No physical expansion of the site, increase in capacity beyond historical levels, or substantial changes to the existing use of the facility are proposed. The project represents the continuation of an existing use at an established public recreational facility.
Contact Information
Name
Jui Ing Chien
Agency Name
Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation
Job Title
Park Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Irwindale
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Countywide
Other Information
Santa Fe Dam Recreationa Area
15501 East Arrow Highway
Irwindale, CA 91706
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15301
Reasons for Exemption
The recommended Agreement is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Agreement, which consists of the operation of a Renaissance Theme Faire at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, is within a certain class of projects that have been determined not to have a significant effect on the environment in that it meets the criteria set forth in Section 15301 of the State CEQA Guidelines and Class 1(r) of the County’s Environmental Document Reporting Procedures and Guidelines, Appendix G. The agreement provides for operations and licensing of existing public facilities.
In addition, based on the record supporting the recommended Agreement, the operations and licensing activities will comply with all applicable regulations. There are no cumulative impacts, unusual circumstances, damage to scenic highways, inclusion on hazardous waste site lists compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5, or indications that implementation of the recommended Agreement may cause a substantialadverse change in the significance of a historical resource that would make the exemption inapplicable.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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