CA State Fair & Food Festival returns to Sacramento July 14 to July 30 with a star-studded concert series, thrilling carnival rides and seemingly endless amounts of fare to indulge in.
This year’s CA State Fair & Food Festival will be held at Cal Expo in Sacramento, a sprawling fairground that covers 350 acres of land. The exciting event will run for several weeks, beginning July 14 and concluding July 30, offering visitors ample time to explore the multitude of attractions, exhibits, fair food and live performances.
The fairgrounds are filled with numerous stages, where talented performers from various genres will entertain crowds with their music, dancing and theatrical performances. A stellar concert lineup is set to take the stage featuring a diverse roster of artists, starting with Fitz and The Tantrums on Friday, July 14, followed by the funk legend Con Funk Shun on Saturday, July 15. The momentum continues to build with a stellar lineup that includes Ashley McBryde, Boyz II Men, Ginuwine, LeAnn Rimes, Scotty McCreery, Revisiting Creedence, The Isley Brothers, Third Eye Blind, SantanaWays, 38 Special, Ashanti, George Thorogood & the Destroyers, Gin Blossoms, Kool & The Gang and wrapping up with Trace Adkins on Sunday, July 30.
“We have seen an incredible response to our concert series this year,” says Tom Martinez, CEO of Cal Expo, in a press release. “With the largest budget we’ve ever dedicated to this series, we’re committed to providing an unforgettable experience for our fair-goers. The remarkable pace at which the tickets are selling is a testament to the appeal of the dynamic artists performing and the enhanced experiences were offering.”
In addition to live music performances, fair-goers can expect to enjoy a wide range of attractions, including thrilling rides, carnival games, horse races, cooking lessons, agriculture contests, farm animals, fashion shows, art exhibits and much more. There are 52 rides available, from kid-friendly ventures including a mini ferris wheel, Dizzy Dragons (four magical dragons spinning tea cup-style), Looney Tooter Train (a vibrant train ride around the grounds) and Jumping Jungle Funhouse (a two-story jungle-themed fun house) to daunting experiences for thrill-seekers on Turbo Speed (a 70 mph ride spinning 120 feet in the air), X-Scream Machine ( a quick coaster that tosses, turns and dramatically ascends around the tracks) or Ring of Fire (a circular coaster that takes passengers up into a loop and backward down).
CA State Fair & Food Festival will also host a vibrant marketplace where visitors can shop for unique crafts, jewelry, clothing and other goods. Local artisans and vendors from across the state showcase their products, offering a chance to find one-of-a-kind items and support local businesses.
If you are coming for the food, get ready to eat to your heart’s content with seemingly endless amounts of culinary delights, ranging from traditional fair favorites like funnel cakes and corn dogs to unique creations. Visitors can indulge in a wide variety of treats, including churro-banana splits, caramel-crunch cinnamon rolls, mangonada, mini doughnuts, luxe popcorn, Cinnamon Toast Crunch funnel cake and much more. For foodie-focused visitors, opt for Food Festival pass ($34) for free samples and small plates from participating vendors.
Adult daily admission starts at $14 online or $16 at the door, while admission for kids from 5 to 12 start at $8 online or $10 at the door. Children 4 and under are free to attend.
For more information, visit calexpostatefair.com.