Site Map174th California State Fair: Golden State More Than A Figure of Speech
“Some dream it, some do it, some do both.” - Walt Disney
There’s so much to love about America’s State Fairs – the sheer energy of the place, regardless of geography, is imbued with the familial energy of your neighborhood block party: Laughter, food, games, carnival rides and entertainment. State fairs have that extra something that reminds us of where we come from – there’s education in the form of exhibits, primarily agriculture related, which means a lot if you’re an American; after all, U.S. agriculture is among our country’s top exports. Simply put: America’s farmers, along with China and India, feed the world. Earlier this year, the American Farm Bureau reported statistics that, in 2023, 1.9 million farms generated $175 billion in export revenue - 95% of those farms are family-owned.
America owes more than a debt of gratitude to its farmers. One way to honor agriculture’s contribution is to include your state’s fair on your Summer 2024 bucket list. Bring your friends and family to be reminded of the simple life – the joy of hanging out, of roaming while eating, of playing games and screaming when your kid shoots the ball and actually makes the basket, of riding the Ferris wheel and the carousel, of observing bee exhibits and farming equipment, and of dancing to music of your favorite pop artist, performing at the fair.
The icing on the cake is that the State Fair is the most affordable fun you’ll have all summer.
Last weekend, theTUNDRA had the good fortune of covering the great California State Fair in Sacramento, where, since 1859, the fair has been living up to California’s reputation as America’s Golden State, with California consistently ranked as the #1 agriculture-producing state in the U.S. With origins dating to 1854, the ticket prices haven’t gone up much since that time – at $16.00/adult daily admission and $10 for kids (ages 5-12; children under 4 are free), Walt Disney would breathe a sigh-of-relief the fair is limited to two weeks a year, or he’d have to sharpen his pencil to compete with the OG fair concept that he based his multi-billion $$$ theme park business on. (Interesting sidenote: Walt Disney’s infrastructure team designed the monorail traversing the circumference of the 350-acre Cal Expo fairgrounds.)
Here are a few snapshots of what the time of your life looks like – California State Fair runs through Sunday, July 28.
Rides, food, entertainment and educational exhibits span Cal Expo’s 350 acres; perfect size for a day with friends & family at the fair.
Approximately 700,000 attended the California State Fair in 2023.
From Tex-Mex, corn dogs & BBQ to funnel cakes, fried Oreos & ice cream, expect your fave treats at the CA State Fair.
Army – U.S. Army, Sponsor of California State Fair
An abundance of carnival games: Pick your poison.
Thoroughbred Horse Racing – check evening listing schedule here
Insect Pavilion: User-friendly ag science for the whole family
Beautifully cultivated landscaped botanic gardens featuring antique tractors surround the Insect Pavilion
The Farmers’ Mantra: “Hay in the barn beats $$$ in the bank.”
The Ag Community, they’re just like us: They LOVE their trucks.
The California State Fair @ Sundown: Perfect ending to a perfect day.
