A gentle breeze of a misting fan and the surge of sweet, cool lemonade combats the unforgiving sun of a California summer day while the smell of corn dogs and funnel cakes lingers in the air.
The anticipation is no more as the California State Fair is back up and running on the Cal Expo grounds for its 171st anniversary. The fair runs daily through Sunday, July 27, where guests will be treated to the sound of laughter, music and carnival games. Let’s dive into some of Sacramento’s exhibits, competitions and music featuring local artists, artisans and culture.
Exciting exhibits
Shhh, don’t tell anyone but the Super Secret Silent Disco is back at the fair. H.e.r.e. presents an experience that allows you to cool off from the heat and jam out to a live DJ through provided headphones.
As stop No. 1 of the Expo Center buildings, this dimly lit exhibit allows space to dance around or couches and floor cushions for your whole party to unwind along with air conditioning and its own bar. Expect everything from house music to R&B curated by your favorite Sacramento DJs.
Great Scott! Go see the DeLorean at the POPnology exhibit among other sci-fi innovations in Building 3. Then take a ride down history lane and plunge into the cultural significance of Lowriders with the “CaLOWfornia Love” exhibit in Building 5, presented by Sacramento Lowrider Commission.
Enjoy the current state of lowriding with pieces like Adrianna Echeverria’s “Monedita de Oro,” Angy Blanco-Pino’s “Lady Solo Rider” or Fearnone Sacramento Car Club’s “Bula 51” located right outside the exhibit. The wall to wall depictions invite “fairgoers to dive into the rich history and cultural significance of lowriding, spotlighting its iconic design elements, artistic expression, and community-driven spirit,” according to the state fair’s website.
Entertainment galore, competitions and more
Solo musicians like Sacramento’s Morgan Wenter or Tony y su Terremoto Norteño stack the lineup of Community Stage performers throughout the grounds. Wenter has multiple performances scheduled throughout the fair duration and is open to requests from the audience.
“I like to perform a variety act with the music I play,” Wenter said about performing for a second year at the fair. “Similar to my Shaggy cover, I like to do requests because really it’s about what the audience wants to listen to.”
In just four years after forming, Sacramento’s The Sunset River Band is increasing momentum and are booked for shows nearly every weekend, according to bass player Kirby Desha. “The fair is always fun because you get to see families dancing to the music and having a good time,” Desha says.
Artists have said performing at the fair creates an exciting opportunity for more local musicians. It opens doors to other performances in many diverse venues such as fairs from El Dorado County all the way to the Bay Area or throughout the state.
The Student Showcase in Expo Center Building 8 creates a colorful and creative maze of painting, sculptures, crafts, photography and textiles. The impressive exhibit includes submissions from California residents 5-18 years old.
Cooking demos, free tasting, classes and competitions are offered daily with Best of Show winners in agriculture at your disposal.Karen and husband Malcolm Bond run the Sicilian olive orchard, Bondolio Olive Oil. The Bond’s have competed five times in the state fair, previously winning two Best of Show awards.
“We’re delighted, of course,” Bond says, of winning gold. “After the first win, I told my husband we probably wouldn’t be able to get that again.”
Bond said she believes they maintain winning quality not only with how they mill but because the hand-picked olives are put into the mill within 90 minutes of harvesting.
*****
This story is part of the Solving Sacramento journalism collaborative. This story was funded by the City of Sacramento’s Arts and Creative Economy Journalism Grant to Solving Sacramento. Following our journalism code of ethics, the city had no editorial influence over this story. Our partners include California Groundbreakers, Capital Public Radio, Hmong Daily News, Outword, Russian America Media, Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento News & Review and Sacramento Observer. Sign up for our “Sac Art Pulse” newsletter here.
By Alyssa Branum
