California State Fair opens Friday

Ready for a corn dog or giant cinnamon roll? How about a visit down to The Farm?

It’s (almost) time for the California State Fair, which opens its annual run Friday, July 11, at Cal Expo in Sacramento.

A tradition that dates back to 1854, the State Fair will continue through July 27 with its usual assortment of food, fun, games, livestock and exhibits. Missing this summer is live horse racing (although the air-conditioned simulcast center will be open to the public). And the UC master gardeners’ information booth has moved inside.

This fair also will have new hours and focus more on nighttime activities. Monday through Thursday, the fair will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. Longer hours are planned for Friday through Sunday, when the fair will be open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Get your tickets before you go and save some dough. Advance tickets are now on sale online: General, $16; seniors (62 and up), $12; and youth (ages 5-12), $10; children age 4 and younger admitted free.

In addition, every Friday is Senior Day with $10 admission (if purchased before 8 p.m.). On Mondays, Family Discount Days provide special admission – just $2 – for early birds from 4 to 6 p.m. (Get those discounts at the gate.)

Also new this year is a series of classes at the Save-Mart California Kitchen in Building B. In-person tasting classes will offer insights into olive oil, wine, beer, cider, cheese and more in the “Taste of California Classroom.” Chefs will show off their skills in the SMUD Energy Efficient Kitchen Theatre. Tasters’ Row will showcase products and eateries. (The fair’s website promises more details to come.)

Remember to stop by The Farm, the fair’s 3.5-acre living exhibit of California crops. Learn about how to help pollinators and taste samples from the demonstration kitchen.

Looking for expert gardening advice? The UC master gardeners also will be stationed in Building B instead of their usual booth at The Farm. Get your garden questions answered in air-conditioned comfort.

In Expo Center Building 6, discover the Rustic Charm marketplace with an eclectic selection of feel-good goods created by California crafters.

“Rustic Charm offers a delightful blend of vintage charm and rustic elegance,” say the fair organizers. “Visitors wander through aisles adorned with hand-painted signs, antique furniture, and delicate floral arrangements. … Vendors showcase an eclectic array of upcycled décor. It’s a haven for seekers of timeless beauty and nostalgic charm, where each corner tells a story of bygone eras and cherished memories.”

Cal Expo is located at 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento.