California State Fair

The California State Fair is the big yearly celebration for the state of California. It happens every year at Cal Expo in the city of Sacramento, California. This fair lasts for 17 days and shows off many things from California, like farms, different kinds of work, and the many people who live there.

Visitors can see animals, enjoy tasty food and cooking contests, watch live music, ride carnival rides, and see beautiful fireworks. It's a fun time for families. In 2018, the fair welcomed thousands of people each day, and they spent a lot of money on food and drinks.

Unfortunately, the fair did not happen in 2020 or 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic in California. During those years, the fair's place, Cal Expo, helped the state by being used for important things like testing for the virus, helping people who needed a place to stay, and supporting efforts to fight big wildfires.

History

Early developments

In 1850, people in California thought the state could hold a big show to impress everyone, just like other places on the east coast of the United States. In 1854, California made a society to show off the state's fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, and animals, and offered prizes for the best displays.

The itinerant fair

The first California State Fair began on October 4, 1854, in San Francisco. Over the years, the fair moved to different cities, including Sacramento, San Jose, Stockton, and Marysville.

A home in Sacramento

The fair returned to Sacramento in 1859 and used new buildings for exhibits. By 1861, the fair had a permanent home in Sacramento. More space was needed over time, so the fair moved to new places, including a spot near Stockton Boulevard and Broadway. The old buildings were torn down, and the fair was stopped during World War II for military use.

Cal Expo

In 1948, California bought a large area called Cal Expo. In 1968, the fair moved to its current location at Cal Expo in Sacramento. By 2001, it was one of the most visited state fairs. In 2008, almost 800,000 people attended.

Recent developments

The fair was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, the fair had only closed during wartime or for a special event in San Francisco.

Features

The California State Fair has many fun things to see and do. In the past, there was a show where two trains appeared to crash, but this is no longer done.

The fair has an exciting area called the Magnificent Midway with many rides and games. These have been run by Butler Amusements since 2009.

There is a special train that goes around a track at the fairgrounds. This monorail was built in 1968 and is one of only two such trains left in California, the other being at Disneyland. It helps visitors see different parts of the fairgrounds.

The fair also has many competitions. You can see art, including photographs and student projects. There are also contests for animals, food, and drinks, including new categories for wines and beers.