Disclosure: This is a sponsored post I was gifted many of the items below and I also am sharing a couple affiliate links from my Amazon Storefront. When you purchase anything from my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission at no extra charge to you. As always I only share products that we enjoy. Thank you for your support! 

Summer is technically coming to an end and the kids are getting ready for back to school, but in California, we are blessed with really great weather so we can still enjoy outdoor entertaining all the way through October.

Have you ever hosted a block party? Hosting a block party is a great way to meet your neighbors, and get to know those in your community. Friends of ours recently hosted a community movie night at a local park with a big inflatable screen and it was such a fun way to meet new people. In our local community neighbors have come together for a block party for Labor Day weekend and even for Halloween. 

Here are some tips for hosting a block party or get-together at a local park.

Let the frozen aisle at your grocery store help! I love a homecooked meal but I also welcome all the help I can get from the frozen food aisle. Especially with back-to-school and kids' sports keeping us all very busy, let the frozen food department help you. 

I love these Sukhi's Frozen Samosas, they are perfect when you’re short on time but want to bring something delicious to the party, frozen appetizers make a great option! These frozen Samosas only need 15 minutes in the oven or 7 minutes in an air fryer. These crispy handcrafted triangles are the perfect bite-sized delicacy and are perfectly sized for party platters. I love a handheld snack or appetizer, they are mess-free and easy to eat. These Sukhi's Samosas come in 4 flavors: Potato, Chicken Tikka Masala, Mango Coconut Chicken, and Jalapeno and Cheese. My favorite is the Jalapeno & Cheese flavor because it’s a perfect combination of American and Indian flavors; they’re sure to spice up any gathering.


Bring fresh fruit to share! You can’t go wrong with bringing fresh fruit to the block party for a refreshing snack. Look for Rave Apples by Stemilt. This is the apple that people can’t stop raving about because of its outrageously juicy flavor and refreshing, snappy zing. These are grown by Stemilt who is actually partnering with Back2School America this season, so every time you buy a Rave apple you are supporting students in need!


Get a digital meat thermometer for easier grilling! With grilling season in full swing, a digital meat thermometer is essential. This one by ThermoPro is excellent, the #1 rated affordable meat thermometer on Amazon, perfect for barbecuing! Here is the link to find it on my Amazon Storefront [Amazon Affiliate].

Connected via the most advanced Bluetooth 5.2, this wireless thermometer for grilling can monitor your cooking from up to 500 feet away so you can wirelessly track your meal’s progress! 

You receive real-time alerts with the smart meat thermometer app, so you don’t have to miss out on socializing.

The app also supports custom timers and shared USDA-recommended preset temperatures to elevate your cooking like a pro every time you fire up your grill.

Plus, it features a meat temperature probe that can simultaneously measure internal meat temperature and ambient pit temperatures, reading temps in just 3 seconds, so you’ll never overcook or undercook again!



Refreshing Drinks! Cold drinks are a must during summer and really any time you are entertaining. Have you tried Sprecher? They are available nationwide and can even be delivered to your doorstep. The Sprecher 12-pack comes in four delicious flavors including Root Beer, Cream Soda, Orange Dream, and Cherry Cola.

This legendary award-winning Root Beer has the rich, creamy flavor that comes from skillfully combining a host of flavors in their gas-fired brew kettle and then aging it just long enough to achieve peak flavor.

Cream soda lovers will love this sweet treat - enjoy it over a glass of ice and enjoy possibly the best cream soda you’ve ever had. 

This Cherry Cola is bursting with the flavor of high-quality local ingredients and every ounce is handcrafted with love and flavor! 

Lastly, here is another summer favorite that’s perfect for Block Parties the Orange Dream, one sip of this citrusy delight is one to remember, hand-crafted to give your taste buds an incredible experience.


Last but certainly not least you need a good cooler to keep your drinks cold. My favorite is my RTIC 45-quart Cooler it is perfect to keep drinks cold, you can find it on my Amazon Storefront [Amazon Affiliate]. Rtic is a reliable brand and they have coolers of all sizes. A hard-sided, insulated cooler is best for keeping a lot of drinks cold for entertaining. The RTIC Hard Cooler is designed for impact resistance, durability, and long-lasting ice retention. With up to 3 inches of closed-cell foam insulation, this insulated cooler is all about extremes. Your food and beverages will stay colder and for longer in this ice chest. This portable cooler is made for portability with heavy-duty rope handles that allow you to take it anywhere. This outdoor cooler comes in 20 qt, 45 qt, and 65 qt. It can double up as a bench, step stool, tabletop, or extra cutting board.

I hope these tips and product ideas help you when you are entertaining next and I hope you will get together with your neighbors or fellow families of your kids' extracurricular activities and host a block party. Community and coming together with the people in our lives is so important for many reasons, we need each other. Every time I get together with the people I work with, worship with, and do life with I leave having learned something new. I know entertaining takes work and effort but it is so worth it. 

A great thing about a block party is you are not responsible for all the drinks and all the food, it is many people coming together and pitching in so everyone can have a great time. If you have never hosted or started one, I bet if you put out the idea to a couple of your friends, you will be pleasantly surprised by their enthusiastic desire to help pull a block party together. 

Tips for Hosting the Best Block Party

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post I was gifted many of the items below and I also am sharing a couple affiliate links from my Amazon Storefront. When you purchase anything from my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission at no extra charge to you. As always I only share products that we enjoy. Thank you for your support! 

Summer is technically coming to an end and the kids are getting ready for back to school, but in California, we are blessed with really great weather so we can still enjoy outdoor entertaining all the way through October.

Have you ever hosted a block party? Hosting a block party is a great way to meet your neighbors, and get to know those in your community. Friends of ours recently hosted a community movie night at a local park with a big inflatable screen and it was such a fun way to meet new people. In our local community neighbors have come together for a block party for Labor Day weekend and even for Halloween. 

Here are some tips for hosting a block party or get-together at a local park.

Let the frozen aisle at your grocery store help! I love a homecooked meal but I also welcome all the help I can get from the frozen food aisle. Especially with back-to-school and kids' sports keeping us all very busy, let the frozen food department help you. 

I love these Sukhi's Frozen Samosas, they are perfect when you’re short on time but want to bring something delicious to the party, frozen appetizers make a great option! These frozen Samosas only need 15 minutes in the oven or 7 minutes in an air fryer. These crispy handcrafted triangles are the perfect bite-sized delicacy and are perfectly sized for party platters. I love a handheld snack or appetizer, they are mess-free and easy to eat. These Sukhi's Samosas come in 4 flavors: Potato, Chicken Tikka Masala, Mango Coconut Chicken, and Jalapeno and Cheese. My favorite is the Jalapeno & Cheese flavor because it’s a perfect combination of American and Indian flavors; they’re sure to spice up any gathering.


Bring fresh fruit to share! You can’t go wrong with bringing fresh fruit to the block party for a refreshing snack. Look for Rave Apples by Stemilt. This is the apple that people can’t stop raving about because of its outrageously juicy flavor and refreshing, snappy zing. These are grown by Stemilt who is actually partnering with Back2School America this season, so every time you buy a Rave apple you are supporting students in need!


Get a digital meat thermometer for easier grilling! With grilling season in full swing, a digital meat thermometer is essential. This one by ThermoPro is excellent, the #1 rated affordable meat thermometer on Amazon, perfect for barbecuing! Here is the link to find it on my Amazon Storefront [Amazon Affiliate].

Connected via the most advanced Bluetooth 5.2, this wireless thermometer for grilling can monitor your cooking from up to 500 feet away so you can wirelessly track your meal’s progress! 

You receive real-time alerts with the smart meat thermometer app, so you don’t have to miss out on socializing.

The app also supports custom timers and shared USDA-recommended preset temperatures to elevate your cooking like a pro every time you fire up your grill.

Plus, it features a meat temperature probe that can simultaneously measure internal meat temperature and ambient pit temperatures, reading temps in just 3 seconds, so you’ll never overcook or undercook again!



Refreshing Drinks! Cold drinks are a must during summer and really any time you are entertaining. Have you tried Sprecher? They are available nationwide and can even be delivered to your doorstep. The Sprecher 12-pack comes in four delicious flavors including Root Beer, Cream Soda, Orange Dream, and Cherry Cola.

This legendary award-winning Root Beer has the rich, creamy flavor that comes from skillfully combining a host of flavors in their gas-fired brew kettle and then aging it just long enough to achieve peak flavor.

Cream soda lovers will love this sweet treat - enjoy it over a glass of ice and enjoy possibly the best cream soda you’ve ever had. 

This Cherry Cola is bursting with the flavor of high-quality local ingredients and every ounce is handcrafted with love and flavor! 

Lastly, here is another summer favorite that’s perfect for Block Parties the Orange Dream, one sip of this citrusy delight is one to remember, hand-crafted to give your taste buds an incredible experience.


Last but certainly not least you need a good cooler to keep your drinks cold. My favorite is my RTIC 45-quart Cooler it is perfect to keep drinks cold, you can find it on my Amazon Storefront [Amazon Affiliate]. Rtic is a reliable brand and they have coolers of all sizes. A hard-sided, insulated cooler is best for keeping a lot of drinks cold for entertaining. The RTIC Hard Cooler is designed for impact resistance, durability, and long-lasting ice retention. With up to 3 inches of closed-cell foam insulation, this insulated cooler is all about extremes. Your food and beverages will stay colder and for longer in this ice chest. This portable cooler is made for portability with heavy-duty rope handles that allow you to take it anywhere. This outdoor cooler comes in 20 qt, 45 qt, and 65 qt. It can double up as a bench, step stool, tabletop, or extra cutting board.

I hope these tips and product ideas help you when you are entertaining next and I hope you will get together with your neighbors or fellow families of your kids' extracurricular activities and host a block party. Community and coming together with the people in our lives is so important for many reasons, we need each other. Every time I get together with the people I work with, worship with, and do life with I leave having learned something new. I know entertaining takes work and effort but it is so worth it. 

A great thing about a block party is you are not responsible for all the drinks and all the food, it is many people coming together and pitching in so everyone can have a great time. If you have never hosted or started one, I bet if you put out the idea to a couple of your friends, you will be pleasantly surprised by their enthusiastic desire to help pull a block party together. 

Read more »

Disclosure: I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows.  Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.

This. Is. Monster Jam™!  The most unexpected, unscripted, and unforgettable motorsports experience for families and fans in the world today returns to Sacramento for an adrenaline-charged weekend at Golden 1 Center from August 11-13, 2023.  At Monster Jam®, world champion athletes and their 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in wide-open competitions of speed and skill. 

Save 20% off select seats/shows with Discount Code: G1CMJ23. You can also use Discount Code GRAVE to save $5 off select seats. Offer ends on 8/11, so hurry and reserve your seats. 

Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world.  Monster Jam. As Big As It Gets!™

The excitement begins at the Monster Jam Pit Party fan experience prior to the Saturday and Sunday events. Fans can see the massive trucks up close, meet their favorite drivers and crews, get autographs, take pictures, and enjoy other family-friendly activities.  This fun-filled experience is the only place that allows people to get up close access to the Monster Jam teams and get an insider’s look at how these trucks are built to stand up to the competition.

Sacramento fans will be on the edge of their seats as world-class drivers show off crazy skills and all-out racing in fierce head-to-head battles for the Event Championship.  Engineered to perfection, the 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks push all limits in Freestyle, Skills, and Racing competitions. The Sacramento events feature eight skilled athletes battling for the event championship while tearing up the dirt in intense competitions of speed and skill.

WHEN:

Friday, August 11, 2023 Event Time – 7:00 PM

Saturday, August 12, 2023 Event Time – 7:00 PM

Pit Party open from 4:30 PM–6:00 PM (Sat. 7pm Event Ticket & Pit Pass required for entry)

Sunday, August 13, 2023 Event Time – 1:00 PM

Pit Party open from 10:30 AM–12:00 PM (Sun. 1pm Event Ticket & Pit Pass required for entry)

WHERE:  

Golden 1 Center 500 David J Stern Walk Sacramento, CA 95814

 

TICKETS:      

Tickets are affordably priced for the whole family!

Tickets and Pit Passes will be available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com

*ticket prices subject to change – additional venue/ticketing fees may apply.

TRUCK LINEUP: Grave Digger® driven by Tyler Menninga; Megalodon® driven by Ashley Sanford; El Toro Loco® driven by Armando Castro; Scooby Doo® driven by Loghan Ashline; Monster Mutt Dalmatian® driven by Bailey Shea; Velociraptor driven by Dave Olfert; Vendetta driven by Mike Christensen; one additional truck/driver to be announced at a later date. **Truck and driver line-up subject to change      

 

Follow Monster Jam on our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. 

Subscribe to the Monster Jam YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/MonsterJam

 

About Monster Jam

Unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable, Monster Jam® features world-class athletes competing for championships on perfectly engineered dirt tracks that push these ever-evolving, state-of-the-art trucks to the limit. Beyond the 350 global live events each year, the Monster Jam brand extends off the track into the home through products, content and merchandise that keeps the fun alive year-round.  For more information, visit MonsterJam.com.

 

About Feld Motor Sports:

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc. Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

Monster Jam August 2023 Sacramento, CA

Disclosure: I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows.  Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.

This. Is. Monster Jam™!  The most unexpected, unscripted, and unforgettable motorsports experience for families and fans in the world today returns to Sacramento for an adrenaline-charged weekend at Golden 1 Center from August 11-13, 2023.  At Monster Jam®, world champion athletes and their 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in wide-open competitions of speed and skill. 

Save 20% off select seats/shows with Discount Code: G1CMJ23. You can also use Discount Code GRAVE to save $5 off select seats. Offer ends on 8/11, so hurry and reserve your seats. 

Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world.  Monster Jam. As Big As It Gets!™

The excitement begins at the Monster Jam Pit Party fan experience prior to the Saturday and Sunday events. Fans can see the massive trucks up close, meet their favorite drivers and crews, get autographs, take pictures, and enjoy other family-friendly activities.  This fun-filled experience is the only place that allows people to get up close access to the Monster Jam teams and get an insider’s look at how these trucks are built to stand up to the competition.

Sacramento fans will be on the edge of their seats as world-class drivers show off crazy skills and all-out racing in fierce head-to-head battles for the Event Championship.  Engineered to perfection, the 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks push all limits in Freestyle, Skills, and Racing competitions. The Sacramento events feature eight skilled athletes battling for the event championship while tearing up the dirt in intense competitions of speed and skill.

WHEN:

Friday, August 11, 2023 Event Time – 7:00 PM

Saturday, August 12, 2023 Event Time – 7:00 PM

Pit Party open from 4:30 PM–6:00 PM (Sat. 7pm Event Ticket & Pit Pass required for entry)

Sunday, August 13, 2023 Event Time – 1:00 PM

Pit Party open from 10:30 AM–12:00 PM (Sun. 1pm Event Ticket & Pit Pass required for entry)

WHERE:  

Golden 1 Center 500 David J Stern Walk Sacramento, CA 95814

 

TICKETS:      

Tickets are affordably priced for the whole family!

Tickets and Pit Passes will be available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com

*ticket prices subject to change – additional venue/ticketing fees may apply.

TRUCK LINEUP: Grave Digger® driven by Tyler Menninga; Megalodon® driven by Ashley Sanford; El Toro Loco® driven by Armando Castro; Scooby Doo® driven by Loghan Ashline; Monster Mutt Dalmatian® driven by Bailey Shea; Velociraptor driven by Dave Olfert; Vendetta driven by Mike Christensen; one additional truck/driver to be announced at a later date. **Truck and driver line-up subject to change      

 

Follow Monster Jam on our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. 

Subscribe to the Monster Jam YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/MonsterJam

 

About Monster Jam

Unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable, Monster Jam® features world-class athletes competing for championships on perfectly engineered dirt tracks that push these ever-evolving, state-of-the-art trucks to the limit. Beyond the 350 global live events each year, the Monster Jam brand extends off the track into the home through products, content and merchandise that keeps the fun alive year-round.  For more information, visit MonsterJam.com.

 

About Feld Motor Sports:

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc. Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

Read more »

I was invited to a special preview of the NEW Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon experience at the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity. The show debuts on July 29th and will run through August, so hurry and get your tickets. The MOSAC Museum is located at 400 Jibboom Street, Sacramento, CA. I was not super familiar with the music from Pink Floyd but WOW, this was such a fun way to experience space and the planetarium. If you love music, you will LOVE this. It is definitely the coolest planetarium experience I've ever been to. 


If you have ever been to another planetarium theater experience, it was probably narrated by a monotone voice or had slow music with it, not epic guitar sounds like this show. This show attached to the Pink Floyd music is such a unique experience. I wish my husband could have gone with me, he is a musician and works in audio/visual so he would have LOVED this. He was out of town for work so I took my sixteen-year-old. Note this is a paid program, and not included with a Museum entry ticket. 

While my other children have visited MOSAC before, this was his first visit, he loved the Multiverse Theater, it is state of the art! He loved the music, so I think no matter if you are familiar with Pink Floyd or not, you'll enjoy it. This show is mostly aimed at adults and the 13+ crowd, as there are some curse words. I am not for certain as I have only seen it once, but at the beginning, there is a small portion of Pink Floyd conversation audio played and there is some language, and then somewhere in the middle, a song also has some language, but it is not excessive and during those parts, the speaking audio volume is lower so I feel like you would have to really be listening to catch it. I was looking for what was going to be "inappropriate" because the info I read had the following disclaimers 

* Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.

* Please be advised that this show contains bright, sometimes flashing lights, virtual motion, and loud music. This experience is not recommended for guests who are highly sensitive to light, motion, and noise.


Photo by Diana Miller Photography

If you have not yet experienced the planetarium theater here, you get to lounge back and the dome theater screen makes you feel like you really are staring up at the stars. This particular show had so many cool transitions. There were parts where I felt the room was moving, it truly is an immersive experience. MOSAC is proud to be the only west-coast planetarium to host Pink Floyd ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’. This is a mind-blowing experience celebrating 50 years since the release of the iconic album. For tickets and more information click here visitmosac.org/pink-floyd/. 

This music took me back to my childhood, let me explain. I believe I gained my love for all types of music from my parents. While my parents are Hispanic, they listened to a variety of music. I grew up listening to Spanish music blasting while my mom made homemade tortillas in the early morning hours and as she cleaned the house, and then on many occasions my dad was blasting Santana and Earth, Wind, and Fire music. I am sure he probably listened to some Pink Floyd too, but those other bands were his favorites. So I say all that to say while sitting there listening to Pink Floyd, it brought me right back to the sounds of my childhood. I know my dad is going to love this show! If you know Pink Floyd fans, definitely tell them about this show. 

If you have never been to the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity, it is such a fun hands-on museum. They have a nature room where you can guess things from nature based on smell, you can push buttons and listen to sounds from nature and they have a really cool microscope where you can see up close and with great clarity a butterfly, bee, and more. It is two stories and on the upstairs level is where you will find the Multiverse Theater as well as an entire area where you can test your engineering skills by building things. Upstairs is where you will also find a room all about space. Even my six-teen-year-old enjoyed exploring the museum after the Pink Floyd preview. They even have a toddler zone, this really is a great museum for all ages. 








Here is info from a press release we were given. 

The Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon is an immersive planetarium experience featured at MOSAC’s state-of-the-art Multiverse Theater. MOSAC will be the only west-coast museum to feature the Pink Floyd experience that celebrates the 50-year anniversary of their iconic album. The hour-long experience features the full album accompanied by stunning visuals that only a planetarium can display. The cost is $25 for general admission and $20 for MOSAC members. The show debuts on July 29 and will have dates available through August. Additional dates will be added soon. For more information and tickets, visit visitmosac.org.  

Pink Floyd’s iconic album ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’, originally released in March 1973, turns 50, and what more fitting a place to celebrate it and experience it than in a Planetarium, through the music set to visuals. With the help of modern technology, the idea of a show combining breath-taking views of the solar system and beyond, played out to 42 minutes of The Dark Side Of The Moon in surround sound, has been embraced by the band. NSC Creative have led the visual production efforts, working closely with Pink Floyd’s long-time creative collaborator Aubrey Powell from Hypnosis.  Each song has a different theme; some futuristically looking forward and some a retro acknowledgment to Pink Floyd’s visual history, all relating to a time and space experience, embracing up-to-the-minute technology that only a Planetarium can offer. A truly immersive and all-encompassing surround sound and visual treat that will transcend reality and take you way beyond the realms of 2D experience. 


Some other things to know before you go.

Parking - The City of Sacramento operates the parking lot at MOSAC.  The parking fee is $6/day.  Visitors can use the kiosk in front of the museum to pay for parking or by visiting the PARKMOBILE website, input the location code 6848 and check out as a guest.

Multiverse Theater - A complimentary general UC Davis Multiverse Theater show is included with your general admission; however, the theater has limited capacity. You can reserve your theater seat at the front desk on the day of your visit.

They have a MOSAC Café with food available but you may also bring your own light snacks. There is no food or drink allowed in the theater, but they do have picnic tables around the theater and there is a park within walking distance. 

MOSAC NEW Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon

I was invited to a special preview of the NEW Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon experience at the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity. The show debuts on July 29th and will run through August, so hurry and get your tickets. The MOSAC Museum is located at 400 Jibboom Street, Sacramento, CA. I was not super familiar with the music from Pink Floyd but WOW, this was such a fun way to experience space and the planetarium. If you love music, you will LOVE this. It is definitely the coolest planetarium experience I've ever been to. 


If you have ever been to another planetarium theater experience, it was probably narrated by a monotone voice or had slow music with it, not epic guitar sounds like this show. This show attached to the Pink Floyd music is such a unique experience. I wish my husband could have gone with me, he is a musician and works in audio/visual so he would have LOVED this. He was out of town for work so I took my sixteen-year-old. Note this is a paid program, and not included with a Museum entry ticket. 

While my other children have visited MOSAC before, this was his first visit, he loved the Multiverse Theater, it is state of the art! He loved the music, so I think no matter if you are familiar with Pink Floyd or not, you'll enjoy it. This show is mostly aimed at adults and the 13+ crowd, as there are some curse words. I am not for certain as I have only seen it once, but at the beginning, there is a small portion of Pink Floyd conversation audio played and there is some language, and then somewhere in the middle, a song also has some language, but it is not excessive and during those parts, the speaking audio volume is lower so I feel like you would have to really be listening to catch it. I was looking for what was going to be "inappropriate" because the info I read had the following disclaimers 

* Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.

* Please be advised that this show contains bright, sometimes flashing lights, virtual motion, and loud music. This experience is not recommended for guests who are highly sensitive to light, motion, and noise.


Photo by Diana Miller Photography

If you have not yet experienced the planetarium theater here, you get to lounge back and the dome theater screen makes you feel like you really are staring up at the stars. This particular show had so many cool transitions. There were parts where I felt the room was moving, it truly is an immersive experience. MOSAC is proud to be the only west-coast planetarium to host Pink Floyd ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’. This is a mind-blowing experience celebrating 50 years since the release of the iconic album. For tickets and more information click here visitmosac.org/pink-floyd/. 

This music took me back to my childhood, let me explain. I believe I gained my love for all types of music from my parents. While my parents are Hispanic, they listened to a variety of music. I grew up listening to Spanish music blasting while my mom made homemade tortillas in the early morning hours and as she cleaned the house, and then on many occasions my dad was blasting Santana and Earth, Wind, and Fire music. I am sure he probably listened to some Pink Floyd too, but those other bands were his favorites. So I say all that to say while sitting there listening to Pink Floyd, it brought me right back to the sounds of my childhood. I know my dad is going to love this show! If you know Pink Floyd fans, definitely tell them about this show. 

If you have never been to the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity, it is such a fun hands-on museum. They have a nature room where you can guess things from nature based on smell, you can push buttons and listen to sounds from nature and they have a really cool microscope where you can see up close and with great clarity a butterfly, bee, and more. It is two stories and on the upstairs level is where you will find the Multiverse Theater as well as an entire area where you can test your engineering skills by building things. Upstairs is where you will also find a room all about space. Even my six-teen-year-old enjoyed exploring the museum after the Pink Floyd preview. They even have a toddler zone, this really is a great museum for all ages. 








Here is info from a press release we were given. 

The Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon is an immersive planetarium experience featured at MOSAC’s state-of-the-art Multiverse Theater. MOSAC will be the only west-coast museum to feature the Pink Floyd experience that celebrates the 50-year anniversary of their iconic album. The hour-long experience features the full album accompanied by stunning visuals that only a planetarium can display. The cost is $25 for general admission and $20 for MOSAC members. The show debuts on July 29 and will have dates available through August. Additional dates will be added soon. For more information and tickets, visit visitmosac.org.  

Pink Floyd’s iconic album ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’, originally released in March 1973, turns 50, and what more fitting a place to celebrate it and experience it than in a Planetarium, through the music set to visuals. With the help of modern technology, the idea of a show combining breath-taking views of the solar system and beyond, played out to 42 minutes of The Dark Side Of The Moon in surround sound, has been embraced by the band. NSC Creative have led the visual production efforts, working closely with Pink Floyd’s long-time creative collaborator Aubrey Powell from Hypnosis.  Each song has a different theme; some futuristically looking forward and some a retro acknowledgment to Pink Floyd’s visual history, all relating to a time and space experience, embracing up-to-the-minute technology that only a Planetarium can offer. A truly immersive and all-encompassing surround sound and visual treat that will transcend reality and take you way beyond the realms of 2D experience. 


Some other things to know before you go.

Parking - The City of Sacramento operates the parking lot at MOSAC.  The parking fee is $6/day.  Visitors can use the kiosk in front of the museum to pay for parking or by visiting the PARKMOBILE website, input the location code 6848 and check out as a guest.

Multiverse Theater - A complimentary general UC Davis Multiverse Theater show is included with your general admission; however, the theater has limited capacity. You can reserve your theater seat at the front desk on the day of your visit.

They have a MOSAC Café with food available but you may also bring your own light snacks. There is no food or drink allowed in the theater, but they do have picnic tables around the theater and there is a park within walking distance. 

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Disclosure: I receive a media pass to share the fair with you, although I receive this benefit, I still purchase tickets for my children, they are not part of that media pass. My opinions and thoughts shared here are my own. We have attended the State Fair every year as a family since my babies were babies and I attended before that as a teenager, I love the California State Fair. 

This coming week is your last chance to visit the California State Fair, it is here through July 30, 2023. I took a couple of my kids who wanted to go this past Tuesday on Kids Day, they loved the Bear Cup Competition Gaming Room and the NEW Dragon Exhibit. The Dragon Exhibit has a ton of hands-on activities and really cool large-moving dragons. The Bear Cup Competition Gaming Room has rows and rows of PS4s, PCs, and other gaming consoles. 




The Wild Science Exhibit was another favorite in Building 1, there are live reptiles, hands-on puzzles, giant bubbles and so much more. 

If you are from Sacramento you know it seems like every State Fair we have a heat wave, we've had triple digits most days of the fair. I highly recommend freezing sealed water bottles before you go. Having ice-cold water and a frozen water bottle to place on your neck and head, is a big help in staying cool. They do not allow hydro flasks or metal water bottles. No glass, aluminum cans either, but you can bring in outside food. 

Here are things I recommend to stay cool, bring a personalized mister or cooling towel. Dress light and in light colors, bring a hat for extra shade. Stay hydrated and seek shade throughout your visit, take breaks, and remember your sunscreen. 

Know before you go, parking is $10 and they have a clear bag policy, no bags larger than 12"x12"x2". Nowadays most venues and events have a clear bag or no bag policy, I recommend purchasing one and keeping it just for events like these. 

Hours are Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 10 PM and Friday through Sunday 10 AM to 10 PM. I do wish they opened earlier, considering our triple-digit weather, but I am guessing they base the hours on previous years' attendance. I know if they opened at 8 AM, I would totally go 8 to Noon to beat some of the heat, but it is what it is. They do have cooling stations, misters, and air-conditioned buildings. 

Spend lots of time in the air conditioning! I love the Candy Maze and Selfie Experience in Building 2 there are so many fun photo props. 



Here are some ways you can save while visiting the California State Fair:

Purchase the Food Festival Pass for $34, and you can redeem your pass for four food items at select vendors. Note buy your pass online or at the entrance because it is not sold throughout the parks. That is one thing I wish they would add, a few booths throughout the fair. I say this so you don't forget to buy one and then have to walk all the way to the front gates to purchase one, that's happened to me. You can find an entire list of the Food Pass items and a map of where to find them here. One of our favorites is the Cinnamon Roll, it is an annual tradition for my kids. 

Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls took home the Best of Show for the third consecutive year with their mouthwatering Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Sundae. And a newcomer, Benito’s Tacos, won ribbons in two categories, bagging the Best in Division: Savory and Gold in Savory for their delightful Benito Taco & Horchata. 

The Food Pass items are all $12 or more, so it is a good way to save if you want to try a variety of the State Fair foods, and let's be honest the fair food is why we really go.

Visit the Save Mart Farm and receive a FREE healthy snack. When you get your passport stamped at five fruit/veggie stations you can redeem your passport in the farm area for a free fruit, an apple, pear, or orange. 

Monday is SMUD Giving Monday! If you bring five non-perishable food items to donate, you can get into the fair FREE! This Monday, July 24th is the last day to participate. This also goes towards a great cause of helping the Elk Grove Food Bank! Bring the food to the booth near the Blue Gate between 11 AM and 3 PM and you will receive one free ticket for same-day admission. You can bring canned tuna, macaroni and cheese, rice, pasta, ramen, cereal, and more. You can find a full list of what is most needed here. 

Tuesday is Kids Day, kids ages 12 and under receive FREE admission!

BOGO Offer - Visit an O'Reilly Auto Parts Store for a Buy One Get One Free Coupon. They have a QR Code at their locations and you'll receive a Buy One Get One Free offer. 

Military, Veteran, and First Responder Day is Thursday, July 27th! All military, veterans, and first responders get into the California State Fair for FREE!

Read to Ride Program - Students from kindergarten to eighth grade who read two books, write a summary, and bring this form with them will receive two free ride tickets and a monorail ticket. Bring the form to the State Fair Guest Services Office, which is located to the left as soon as you enter the main gates. 

Taste of the Fair Days! On Wednesday and Thursday, you can try select fair bite-sized foods for only $4 from 11 AM to 4 PM. 

Senior Saving Fridays! On Fridays, seniors age 62 and older can receive fair admission for only $10. 

On the first day we visited my eight-year-old participated in a fruit trivia contest at the cooking theater, this is another great place to cool off. They often have cooking demonstrations and other food-related contests here. For the fruit trivia, there were twenty questions, some multiple choice, and some questions relating to produce and agriculture. It was a three-way tie between him and two other contestants for the tiebreaker question they asked how many seeds are in a pomegranate, the person closest to the answer without going over would win and he won! He won a blue ribbon and four tickets to ride the Monorail and of course, bragging rights for winning the first-ever Kid Edition Produce Trivia Contest. 



If it is going to be a super hot day on the day you have planned to attend, try and break up your day into two parts if you can. Go as soon as they open for a few hours, visit the air-conditioned buildings and your favorite parts, and then return in the evening for the rides. I think that is a great way to ENJOY the fair when it is in the triple digits or even 90s. To me, it would be worth paying double parking to not be in that heat all day long or at the peak times of the hot weather. You could also see if someone could drop you off and pick you up for your evening second visit. Just know there is no re-entry after 7 PM, so you have to arrive before 7 PM. There is also no auto access to the main gate loop after 7 PM and Uber and Lyft pick-up is at Gate B. There is also no admission after 8 PM. You can find more hour info here. 

Another good thing to do is the fair has an unaccompanied minors policy, all youth under 18 must attend with a supervising adult (parent or guardian). This is newly implemented for safety reasons. You can read more about it here. 

Fun fact did you know this year marks the 10th Anniversary of the California Letters, from Disney California Adventure being here. Did you also know the Monorail here was also inspired by Disney's Monorail and these two are the only amusement park Monorails in California. The Cal Expo Monorail was built in 1967! The Monorail is a great way to see the entire fair and get a great overview of the layout. It is also another way to get in the shade and cool off a bit. 

The California State Fair is located at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds at 1600 Exposition Blvd. You can view a daily schedule of the fair here.  



Last Chance to Visit the California State Fair

Disclosure: I receive a media pass to share the fair with you, although I receive this benefit, I still purchase tickets for my children, they are not part of that media pass. My opinions and thoughts shared here are my own. We have attended the State Fair every year as a family since my babies were babies and I attended before that as a teenager, I love the California State Fair. 

This coming week is your last chance to visit the California State Fair, it is here through July 30, 2023. I took a couple of my kids who wanted to go this past Tuesday on Kids Day, they loved the Bear Cup Competition Gaming Room and the NEW Dragon Exhibit. The Dragon Exhibit has a ton of hands-on activities and really cool large-moving dragons. The Bear Cup Competition Gaming Room has rows and rows of PS4s, PCs, and other gaming consoles. 




The Wild Science Exhibit was another favorite in Building 1, there are live reptiles, hands-on puzzles, giant bubbles and so much more. 

If you are from Sacramento you know it seems like every State Fair we have a heat wave, we've had triple digits most days of the fair. I highly recommend freezing sealed water bottles before you go. Having ice-cold water and a frozen water bottle to place on your neck and head, is a big help in staying cool. They do not allow hydro flasks or metal water bottles. No glass, aluminum cans either, but you can bring in outside food. 

Here are things I recommend to stay cool, bring a personalized mister or cooling towel. Dress light and in light colors, bring a hat for extra shade. Stay hydrated and seek shade throughout your visit, take breaks, and remember your sunscreen. 

Know before you go, parking is $10 and they have a clear bag policy, no bags larger than 12"x12"x2". Nowadays most venues and events have a clear bag or no bag policy, I recommend purchasing one and keeping it just for events like these. 

Hours are Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 10 PM and Friday through Sunday 10 AM to 10 PM. I do wish they opened earlier, considering our triple-digit weather, but I am guessing they base the hours on previous years' attendance. I know if they opened at 8 AM, I would totally go 8 to Noon to beat some of the heat, but it is what it is. They do have cooling stations, misters, and air-conditioned buildings. 

Spend lots of time in the air conditioning! I love the Candy Maze and Selfie Experience in Building 2 there are so many fun photo props. 



Here are some ways you can save while visiting the California State Fair:

Purchase the Food Festival Pass for $34, and you can redeem your pass for four food items at select vendors. Note buy your pass online or at the entrance because it is not sold throughout the parks. That is one thing I wish they would add, a few booths throughout the fair. I say this so you don't forget to buy one and then have to walk all the way to the front gates to purchase one, that's happened to me. You can find an entire list of the Food Pass items and a map of where to find them here. One of our favorites is the Cinnamon Roll, it is an annual tradition for my kids. 

Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls took home the Best of Show for the third consecutive year with their mouthwatering Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Sundae. And a newcomer, Benito’s Tacos, won ribbons in two categories, bagging the Best in Division: Savory and Gold in Savory for their delightful Benito Taco & Horchata. 

The Food Pass items are all $12 or more, so it is a good way to save if you want to try a variety of the State Fair foods, and let's be honest the fair food is why we really go.

Visit the Save Mart Farm and receive a FREE healthy snack. When you get your passport stamped at five fruit/veggie stations you can redeem your passport in the farm area for a free fruit, an apple, pear, or orange. 

Monday is SMUD Giving Monday! If you bring five non-perishable food items to donate, you can get into the fair FREE! This Monday, July 24th is the last day to participate. This also goes towards a great cause of helping the Elk Grove Food Bank! Bring the food to the booth near the Blue Gate between 11 AM and 3 PM and you will receive one free ticket for same-day admission. You can bring canned tuna, macaroni and cheese, rice, pasta, ramen, cereal, and more. You can find a full list of what is most needed here. 

Tuesday is Kids Day, kids ages 12 and under receive FREE admission!

BOGO Offer - Visit an O'Reilly Auto Parts Store for a Buy One Get One Free Coupon. They have a QR Code at their locations and you'll receive a Buy One Get One Free offer. 

Military, Veteran, and First Responder Day is Thursday, July 27th! All military, veterans, and first responders get into the California State Fair for FREE!

Read to Ride Program - Students from kindergarten to eighth grade who read two books, write a summary, and bring this form with them will receive two free ride tickets and a monorail ticket. Bring the form to the State Fair Guest Services Office, which is located to the left as soon as you enter the main gates. 

Taste of the Fair Days! On Wednesday and Thursday, you can try select fair bite-sized foods for only $4 from 11 AM to 4 PM. 

Senior Saving Fridays! On Fridays, seniors age 62 and older can receive fair admission for only $10. 

On the first day we visited my eight-year-old participated in a fruit trivia contest at the cooking theater, this is another great place to cool off. They often have cooking demonstrations and other food-related contests here. For the fruit trivia, there were twenty questions, some multiple choice, and some questions relating to produce and agriculture. It was a three-way tie between him and two other contestants for the tiebreaker question they asked how many seeds are in a pomegranate, the person closest to the answer without going over would win and he won! He won a blue ribbon and four tickets to ride the Monorail and of course, bragging rights for winning the first-ever Kid Edition Produce Trivia Contest. 



If it is going to be a super hot day on the day you have planned to attend, try and break up your day into two parts if you can. Go as soon as they open for a few hours, visit the air-conditioned buildings and your favorite parts, and then return in the evening for the rides. I think that is a great way to ENJOY the fair when it is in the triple digits or even 90s. To me, it would be worth paying double parking to not be in that heat all day long or at the peak times of the hot weather. You could also see if someone could drop you off and pick you up for your evening second visit. Just know there is no re-entry after 7 PM, so you have to arrive before 7 PM. There is also no auto access to the main gate loop after 7 PM and Uber and Lyft pick-up is at Gate B. There is also no admission after 8 PM. You can find more hour info here. 

Another good thing to do is the fair has an unaccompanied minors policy, all youth under 18 must attend with a supervising adult (parent or guardian). This is newly implemented for safety reasons. You can read more about it here. 

Fun fact did you know this year marks the 10th Anniversary of the California Letters, from Disney California Adventure being here. Did you also know the Monorail here was also inspired by Disney's Monorail and these two are the only amusement park Monorails in California. The Cal Expo Monorail was built in 1967! The Monorail is a great way to see the entire fair and get a great overview of the layout. It is also another way to get in the shade and cool off a bit. 

The California State Fair is located at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds at 1600 Exposition Blvd. You can view a daily schedule of the fair here.  



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