For a few fast-paced days every July, the Marin County Fair takes over San Rafael’s Civic Center Lagoon Park.
The space is transformed into a noisy wonderland of amusements and attractions, things to see and places to go. Every year, one of the more magical destinations is the little island in the lagoon, where a large covered stage hosts a lineup of entertainments and musical acts.
Then the fair ends, and it all goes away.
But not this year.
“We wanted to give the community a way to come together outdoors and make some memories after the fair,” said Andie Davis, the media manager of Marin County’s Department of Cultural Services.
For 2026, they are doing that by putting a covered roller disco skating rink on the island. It’s now open and running through Aug. 16.
“People are loving it,” noted Davis. “We’ve heard so much positive feedback, both in person at the rink and online. It’s been great to see seasoned skaters and total first timers showing up together for an afternoon of fun.”
With the catchy title of Roller Disco Daze, the whole experience has been carefully crafted to include DJs playing a non-stop stream of skate-friendly tunes, a mirror ball suspended from the overhead awning that shades the rink, a skate rental area for those who don’t have four-wheel skates or inlines of their own, a food truck and picnic tables, and lawn games and art installations.
There is even a giant inflatable roller skate, a popular spot for group photos and selfies.
Roller Disco Daze officially opened on July 17. Since then, there has been a steady number of attendees.
“Turnout has grown every week as word gets out,” said Davis, noting that the rink’s capacity is 1,000 people. “Evenings have been especially popular. Seeing that many people gathered on the island is exactly what we hoped for. There was a couple who came to skate on opening day to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary before heading out to dinner. And they showed up in ’70s-inspired shirts.”
Each weekend, there is a different overall theme, with separate mini-themes for each day of that weekend. Early on it was The Good Old Daze, with a ’70s-era Boogie Wonderland theme for that first Friday’s opening night. This would explain the anniversary couple’s attire. That Saturday was an ’80s Jam Night, and Sunday was ’90s night.
Still remaining is week four’s Out of This World (Aug. 7 to 9), with Cowboys vs. Aliens on Friday, Aug. 7, A Long Time Ago in a Rink Far Away on Aug. 8 and Space Age (sub-titled One Small Skate for Mankind) on Sunday, Aug. 9. Roller Disco Daze will close out the season with Oh the Horror! in its final weekend (Aug. 14 to 16). Friday, Aug. 14 is Stop, Goth & Roll, Saturday, Aug. 15 is Zombie Night: Skate of the Dead and Sunday, Aug. 16 is A Scary Good Skate Night, with spooky costumes highly encouraged.
If all goes according to the county’s plans, Roller Disco Daze is something that will become an annual tradition as beloved as the fair that precedes it.
“Attendance is our main measure,” Davis explained. “But we’re also watching how people use the space and what the community tells us they want more of.”
Admission is free. Waivers need to be signed for anyone taking their own skates onto the rink.
But one need not even hit the rink to enjoy being on the island, soaking in the atmosphere.
“We wanted this to be a place,” said Davis, “where anyone can just show up and have a good time.”
Roller Disco Daze runs noon to 8pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and noon to 10pm, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through Aug. 16, at Lagoon Island at the Marin County Fairgrounds, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. For more information (including a mandatory waiver), visit marincenter.marincounty.gov/node/306. Free.
