On February 16, 1892, the legislature made its decision and Yakima received the nod for the state fair and Olympia retained the title of Capital City.

The bill creating the State Agricultural Fair was passed on March 2, 1893, and $10,000 was set aside for work on the buildings.

One hundred and twenty acres of land was purchased and by September 24, 1894, the following buildings had been erected: A grandstand large enough to seat 2,000 people, a racetrack, a mile track, an exhibit hall, 100 horse stalls, and a judges stand that was three stories high.

No fair was held in 1930 or 1931 due to the legislature's refusal to approve an operating budget, and the Great Depression.

April 13, 1939, a group of 45 persons representing agriculture, livestock breeders, and business, met to discuss the possibility of holding a fair in Yakima.

It was agreed that seven persons should be elected to the board of directors to operate the fair and that stock should be sold at $5.00 per share to raise funds.

The members of the board of directors that were elected represented the livestock industry, agriculture, Granges, and men that had been connected with 4-H work in their youth.

As spelled out in its 1939 Articles of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State's office: The object and purpose for which this Association is formed is: 2020 saw the COVID-19 pandemic as grounds for cancellation.

[3] The grounds of the Central Washington State Fair are home to the Yakima SunDome, a 6,195 seat multi-purpose arena built in 1990.