The Big Red Barn received long-awaited approval for a permit to host larger events.

The iconic Big Red Barn in Aromas got a boost at the Monterey County Planning Commission meeting on Dec. 11, receiving unanimous approval for a permit to expand its uses.

Since acquiring the Big Red Barn in 2020, Sal Jimenez says he has worked with agencies like Caltrans, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and the County’s Environmental Health Bureau, as well as meeting with neighbors, to address code violations and deferred maintenance and prepare the venue to host a wider variety of events.

“I said [to the County], I’ll make the investment, just allow me to expand a little bit of the use of this and [create] different revenue sources so I can help pay for this long term,” Jimenez says.

The barn currently draws about 8,000 to 10,000 people on Sundays for its famous flea market. The new permit, however, allows Jimenez to host a range of social and corporate events, including weddings, quinceañeras, car shows, food festivals and California Rodeo-related gatherings.

“I ask you to consider the social impact, the jobs it will bring, the celebrations that will be possible there,” Jordan Caballero, board member of the North County Recreation and Park District, told commissioners during the meeting. “We are in desperate need of a venue of this scale, because what we currently have does not meet the demand.”

While initially commissioners debated issues like noise, traffic and protection of wildlife corridors, those concerns were ultimately resolved.

For residents of North County, the expansion of the Big Red Barn for social gatherings and other events represents a significant change, as the nearest larger venues now include the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville and Sherwood Hall in Salinas.

“When we’re looking at a project like this, I think our developed commercial properties should be used to their fullest extent,” said Commissioner Martha Diehl. “I want to see us use what we’ve got, better.”