CA State Fair & Food Festival July 12-28, 2019 | Sacramento, CA

The California State Fair and Food Festival opens THIS FRIDAY!!!  There is so much to do at the California State Fair, we love visiting multiple times.  This year the California State Fair and Food Festival will be at Cal Expo starting THIS FRIDAY, July 12th and will run through July 28th, 2019.  Of course, we love Fair food and the rides, the classic corn dog, and funnel cake is a must, I am always amazed once we attend of how much there is to see.

New this year is the addition of "Food Festival" to the name!  You can purchase a food pass for ONLY $28 and experience food from a variety of participating vendors.  Buy your Food Festival Pass here for only $28 (a $40 value!). You will receive 4 Food Festival Pass tickets to be redeemed at any of the 30 participating vendors for items that have been entered in the Food Festival and Competition. One ticket is good for one Food Festival item, each valued at $10. Food Festival Pass tickets are transferable and may be used any day of the CA State Fair, July 12th – 28th.  Download the CA State Fair app and map out your eating adventure!  On July 13th at 6 pm on the Coca Cola Promenade Stage you can watch ABC10’s Mark S. Allen host the 2019 CA State Fair Food Festival competition awards!  Find out which items will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze ribbons, as well as an overall Best of Show in categories such as side, dessert, fruity, fried and entrée! Food Festival Passes may be purchased online, at the Box Office, and at the State Fair Souvenir Shops during the CA State Fair July 12– July 28.

We enjoy visiting each of the expo buildings, it is a great way to cool off during the hot days and there is always fun things to see.  Last year my boys loved the Silent Disco Exhibit and the Whale Tale Exhibit.  We enjoy the educational experience of Camp Smokey and the CA Forest Center.  

Have you heard of the Ride to Read Program?  This is an easy and a great way to encourage kids to read.  For every two books you read, receive two rides free at the 2019 California State Fair. The Read to Ride program is open to students kindergarten through eighth grade. Students must read two books, write a summary, then bring the completed form to the California State Fair Guest Services office (located inside the Main Gate) to receive two free rides.  For the form and more info https://www.castatefair.org/read-ride-program/.

Some of our favorite spots at the Fair: The Petting Zoo, The Farm Presented by Savemart You can pick up a card at the information table and as you go around the farm you find stamps for certain fruits/vegetables, when you return you receive an apple and gift bag, which, makes a great healthy snack.  It is so nice to explore the farm and see the fruits and veggies growing.  

Parking at Cal Expo is $15 and cash only so don’t forget your cash!

Adult Admission is $14, Seniors $12, Youth (5-12) $10, Unlimited Ride Wristbands are $30 Mon-Thurs. and $35 Fri-Sun.  There is a Blue Ribbon Season Pass for $45.99 as well as a Regular Season Pass for $35.99 and a Sacramento Zoo and State Fair Combo Pack for $14 (kids) and $21 (adults). Be sure to download the State Fair App, it’s easy to use and you will have a schedule of events right in your hands.

Location: 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815
For Ticket Prices please visit the website for all the details there are pre-sale prices and at the gate prices and some great bundles that can help save you money.  Children ages 4 & under are free. 

Promotional Days: 

Kids Free Tuesdays & $2 Rides for all: July 16 & 23 – FREE admission for kids 12 and under and $2 rides for all ages.

Senior Savings Friday: July 12, 19, and 26th.  Discount admission of $10 for seniors 62 & better. Plus, seniors ride FREE on the Grand Carousel and the Giant Wheel.
$2 Taste of the Fair: Wednesdays and Thursdays (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.) – Sample a variety of fair foods with $2 menu specials from your favorite food vendors.
SMUD Giving Monday - Every Monday, bring at least 3 non-perishable food items per person to the California State Fair before 3 p.m. and receive free same-day admission. All donations will benefit the Elk Grove Food Bank. Top Items Needed Include: Canned meat (chicken or tuna), Peanut Butter, Disposable adult briefs, Ensure, Baby diapers, Socks  – all sizes, Canned fruit, Canned veggies, Soup, Beans, Mac and Cheese, Pasta, Boxed Mashed Potatoes, Packaged Rice, Top Ramen, and Cereal.  Last year they collected 30,000 pounds of food, that is awesome!  What a great way to give back!

A few more Promotional Days to keep in mind:

Military & Veteran Appreciation Day: July 18 – FREE admission all day for active, retired, veterans and reserve military personnel with Military ID.  For a day revolved around immense appreciation, we invite active duty, reserve and veterans from all branches of the military to enjoy FREE Fair admission. Military and civilian guests will enjoy a MRE cookoff, a showcase of real military vehicles, representatives from military organizations and other special entertainment. The whole day is focused on paying gratitude and celebrating the individuals and organizations that keep our country safe.

For free admission, veterans or military personnel must present valid military ID or proof of service at the California State Fair’s Box Office. Free admission is expanded to include Active Duty Spouses and Dependents until 3:00 p.m. (must show valid military ID).

First Responders Appreciation Day: July 25 – FREE admission all day for first responders and law enforcement with ID. As a special thank you for their hard work and bravery, active members of law enforcement, firefighters, first responder units, and Life Guards included can enjoy free Fair admission on July 25, courtesy of Vitalant.

Sunday, July 21st - Second Annual Youth Mariachi Competition.  One of my favorite events!  Youth mariachi bands from around the state are invited to participate on the Golden 1 Stage. First place winners of the competition will perform on Sunday, July 21st with world-famous Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán on the Golden 1 Stage. For more information, including how to participate in the 2019 competition, email YouthMariachiComp@CaliforniaStateFair.com. For more details, please read and share the Background Sheet.

For more information and the daily schedule of events visit the CA State Fair Website at: http://www.castatefair.org/. Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends.  www.BlogAboutItAll.com.