Approaching age 40 has made me increasingly nostalgic, so it was normal to have a few early-eighties flashbacks when I passed through the golden bears into the California State Fair last weekend in Sacramento.
Some of my best times were spent with my family at the fair, on the giant slide, the long-gone log ride and ski lift-style people mover that once dangled jubilant fair-goers — by a single cable and wheel — high in the air above the concessions and midway.
What would my grandma, who remembered attending the fair at its inner-city home in the Oak Park neighborhood in Sacramento, say now that The State Fair has evolved into a more elaborate event? Today’s State Fair, almost grown out of its long-time digs at Cal Expo, caters to concert-goers, wine-lovers and increasingly daring thrill-seekers.
Thankfully, though, this annual celebration of all things California hasn’t lost touch with my inner nerd. My childhood alter-ego is still alive and well, and can’t wait to explore the exhibits, throw coins to win dime-store dishes, watch farm animals give birth and make myself ill eating corn dogs, ice cream and cotton candy.
In fact, it seems that my favorite summertime ritual has grown up with me. The adult me appreciates the expanded fine arts offerings, world class rotating annual exhibits, more shady spots to relax and stay cool, and a wine and beer garden just as I am ready and able to enjoy them.
This year’s State Fair theme, “Your Passport to Adventure,” satisfied both the adult Adam and my nerd within. First stop: the counties exhibit.
The State of Jefferson was represented by nine (depending on which Jefferson map you consult) of its counties: Mendocino, Glenn, Butte, Lake, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Sierra, and Silver Medal winner Tehama. Congratulations, Tehama, on the award-winning “What a Ride” exhibit that promotes the county’s rodeo tradition, recreation and agriculture.
Noticeably absent, however, were the counties encompassing the Shasta Cascade region of Modoc, Shasta, Lassen and Trinity. It’s unfortunate that Shasta Cascade didn’t take the opportunity to show off to a crowd of Californians, especially in an economic time when short-range vacations are more the norm.
Next door, the “Jungle and Reptile Experience” is more theme park than carnival, with humane enclosures for crocodiles, tortoise, anaconda and iguanas.
Nearby, more familiar beasts – pigs, goats, sheep, cows and horses – are judged, sold, sired and birthed, surrounded by “The Farm.”
The Farm, the Fair’s demonstration garden, was established in 1984 to showcase California’s agriculture. It has grown to include an antique tractor exhibit, aquaculture, insect pavilion, blacksmith shop and demonstration kitchen.
Enjoy the Fair’s outdoor offerings early, and in the heat of the day, head to the air conditioned expo halls. Each year the expo features the familiar Youth Arts and Design display, California Foodstyle, Industrial and Technology Education, Fur and Feathers, and creative and fine arts exhibits.
“Pedaling to Adventure,” is this year’s travelling expo hall exhibit. “Pedaling” is a history of the bicycle from wooden wheels to BMX. This velocipede retrospective features a display of vintage bicycles from the California Bicycle Museum and the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, plus modern bikes like the low-rider “Clown Confusion” and “Glascycle” created by Rene Steinke.
I am always in heaven in the California Fine Arts exhibit. It’s probably the best statewide, juried art show, showcasing paintings, sculptures, video and photography, plus demonstrations by artists in all mediums. The gallery features a display honoring the Crocker Art Museum as the 2010 California Arts Organization of the Year. This weekend, check out the painting demonstrations by Sacramento artist Paul Glushku.
Let’s not forget about the food. The California State Fair capitalized on the popularity of its concessions in the last few years. They tantalize us by leaking the 411 on the latest deep-fried concoctions to the press months in advance.
This year’s fry masters added deep-fried moon pies and alligator to a growing list of frizzled confections that include Oreos, brownies, cheesecake, funnel cakes and the plain-old potato, dropped by the block in hot oil.
Wash it all down with a refillable quart of lemonade, and it’s heartburn-a-liscious. If only I could still eat like my pre-teen inner nerd could.
So, get outta town for the California State Fair. Head down to Cal Expo in Sacramento for three days of special events, a concert series finale by “Weird Al” Yankovic, world class exhibits, the Brewfest beer event on the Golden One Stage, and enough nostalgia to last until next summer.
Adam Mankoski is a recent North State transplant who feels completely at home here. He enjoys experiencing and writing about the people, places and things that embody the free spirit of the State of Jefferson. He and his partner own HawkMan Studios and are the creators of Redding’s 2nd Saturday ArtHop. Email your NorthState weekend events to adamm.anewscafe@gmail.com.
