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Independent Voice

State Fair in Full Swing

Jul 23, 2024 10:12AM ● By MPG Staff

The California State Fair is making sure all the food served meets health requirements. Photo courtesy of Sacramento County


SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – Question: How are the Beach Boys and Flo Rida, Sacramento, a variety of fun competitions and exhibits, and a carnival connected?

Answer: They’re all part of the 170th California State Fair, which is open 10 more days this month.

The California State Fair opened July 12 and runs through July 28.

Special days include Tuesdays at the Fair with free admission for children 12 and under. Plus all ages pay $2 per carnival ride on Tuesdays. Fridays are Senior Savings Day with anyone 62 and older pay $10 admission.

On July 19 and July 20, professional chefs will use a mystery ingredient to prepare a three-course, restaurant-quality meal at the Save Mart California’s Kitchen. The prelims are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.  July 19. Finals are from 6 to 8 p.m. July 20.

Fairgoers can enter an old-fashioned pie eating contest at 2 p.m. July 23 featuring cream pies from Save Mart Supermarkets at the Promenade Stage. Contestants can expect to have their faces covered in cream and crumbs by the end of the contest.

Appreciation Day for military, veteran and first responders on July 24 shows gratitude and celebrates the individuals and organizations that keep the country and communities safe. It’s free admission for active duty, reserve and veteran personnel from all military branches; active members of law enforcement, firefighters and first responder units; and active-duty military spouses and dependents. The free tickets are available online at the Veteran Tickets Foundation at www.vettix.org or First Tickets at www.1sttix.org. Or veteran, military personnel and first responders can present valid military ID, proof of service or ID showing active first responder status at the California State Fair Admission Gates.                                                                                 

The Multicultural Gospel Celebration from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 27 at the PG&E Center Stage will feature choirs, groups, ensembles and a youth choir.


A spiritually uplifting experience at the fair will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 27 during the Multicultural Gospel Celebration.


The Toyota Concert Series is free with a state fair admission ticket. The first 700 fairgoers can line up at the back of the stage venue starting at 5 p.m. for first-come, first-served seating in the area behind the General Admission seating area. ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) space is available on a first-come, first served basis. Reserved seats for the Toyota Concert Series are also available, starting at $25.

Remaining concerts are ’90s Rewind – Tone Loc, C&C Music Factory and Digital Underground, July 19; Patti LaBelle, July 20; Viva El Mariachi – Pablo Montero, Mariachi Los Camperos and Gabriela Sepulveda with Mariachi Oro, July 21; Kenny Cetera’s Chicago Experience; July 22; Flo Rida, July 23; Bush, July 24; Lukas Nelson, July 25; The Beach Boys, July 26; Mickey Guyton, July 27; and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, July 28.

Main Gate and Blue Gate hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Green Gate opens at 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Carnival and Skyride hours are from 2 to 11 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Kids’ Park hours are 1 to 11 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Exhibit Building hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

The Monorail opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and at 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday.

Tickets can be bought online at https://calexpostatefair.com/tickets or at the fair’s box office. Daily tickets to the fair and food festival start at $16 for adults, $12 for seniors 62 and older and $10 for children ages 5 to 12. Fair admission is free for children 4 and under.

In addition, a Family Fun Pack is $49.99 and includes four single-day general admissions, four ride tickets (each good for one ride in the Carnival or on the Monorail), and a parking pass.

Parking is $15 a day or three days for $30.

There are also different prices for the carnival rides, starting at $1 per ticket and carnival fast passes from $10 to $15. An Unlimited Ride Wristband bought at the Carnival is $39 Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and $44 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The California State Fair is at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento.

For more information about the California State Fair, go online to calexpostatefair.com, call 916-263-3000 or email [email protected].

Plenty of Fair Food for All Tastes

The Sacramento County Environmental Management Department (EMD) inspectors ensure that the operators of the 160 food stands at the California State Fair are preparing those traditional fair delicacies such as corn dogs and snow cones to bacon cinnamon rolls and funnel cakes using safe food practices.

“Food vendors at the California State Fair face the same level of inspection as all other restaurants in Sacramento County,” said Rolando Villareal, Environmental Health Division chief. “We want to ensure that they are all following safe food handling practices and adhering to state health codes to keep their customers from getting sick.”

Health inspectors will work throughout the duration of the fair doing unannounced inspections, investigating food-related complaints, and providing education to vendors. Some of what inspectors will look for are preparation of fresh food every day and keeping hot food hot and cold food cold.  No cooling of food for the next day use is allowed. Also looked for are proper handwashing procedures, and ensuring there are safe water supplies and proper sewage disposal.