California State Fair facts for kids
Quick facts for kids California State Fair |
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California State Fair, opening day 2014
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| Genre | State fair |
| Location(s) | Sacramento, California |
| Years active | 1854–1916; 1919–1941; 1948–2019; 2022– |
| Attendance | 652,873 (2022) |
| Website | California State Fair |
The California State Fair (CSF) is a big yearly event for the state of California. It takes place at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California. This exciting 17-day fair shows off California's amazing industries, farming, and diverse people.
At the fair, you can see award-winning animal displays and enjoy delicious food. There are also cooking contests, live music concerts, a fun carnival, and fireworks. It's a great place for families to have a good time! In 2018, the fair attracted between 20,000 and 60,000 people each day.
The California State Fair did not happen in 2020 and 2021. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic in California. During those years, the Cal Expo site helped the state. It was used as a place for COVID-19 testing and to house people experiencing homelessness. It also helped during wildfires.
Contents
Discover the California State Fair's History
How the Fair Began
Long ago, in 1850, people in California thought about having a big fair. Fairs were already popular on the East Coast of the United States. They believed California could host an amazing "exhibition" that would surprise everyone.
In 1851, a small "Exhibit of California Curiosities" took place. It showed off some of California's resources. Then, in 1854, the California State Legislature officially created the State Agricultural Society. This group planned the first real state fair. They offered $5,000 in prizes for the best fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, and livestock.
The Fair on the Move
The very first California State Fair opened on October 4, 1854. It was held in San Francisco at the Music Hall. The animals were shown at Mission Dolores. Today, this spot is a special California Historical Landmark.
For a few years, the fair moved to a different city each time. It went to Sacramento in 1855. Then it visited San Jose in 1856, Stockton in 1857, and Marysville in 1858.
Finding a Permanent Home in Sacramento
The fair returned to Sacramento in 1859 and 1860. It used new buildings built just for the fair. An Agricultural Hall was built for exhibits. It was near what is now Golden 1 Center.
The fair officially made Sacramento its permanent home in 1861. Farmers and people from all over California came to Sacramento. They wanted to see the farm machines and enjoy the fun. They also competed for cash prizes for the best exhibits.
Over time, the fair grew too big for its original spots. A new exhibit hall was built in 1884. In 1909, the fairgrounds moved to a new 80-acre site. This site was later expanded to 155 acres. From 1942 to 1947, the fair was paused. The site was used for military purposes during World War II.
The Cal Expo Era
In 1948, the state bought the land for Cal Expo. This huge area is about 1,000 acres. Construction for the new fairgrounds began in 1963. The project cost $33 million.
In 1968, the State Fair moved to its current home. This location is north of the American River in Sacramento. It's now known as California Exposition, or Cal Expo. The old fairgrounds were sold to the University of California.
In 2001, the California State Fair was one of the most visited state fairs. More than one million people attended that year! The fair shows off all the great things about California. It also has many vendors, fried foods, and carnival rides. In 2008, 790,000 people visited the fair.
Since 2010, the fair has been held in mid-July. This change happened because Sacramento schools started their school year earlier in August. Before, the fair usually started in mid-August and ended on Labor Day weekend.
Recent Fair Updates
The fair was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic in California. Before this, the only non-wartime cancellation was in 1915. That year, the Panama–Pacific International Exposition was held in San Francisco instead.
World War I caused closures in 1917 and 1918. World War II led to closures from 1942 to 1947.
Fun Features at the Fair
Magnificent Midway Rides
The rides and games at the California State Fair are a huge attraction. Since 2009, Butler Amusements has operated them. Before that, Ray Cammack Shows (RCSFUN) ran the rides.
There are at least 50 carnival rides to enjoy! Each major ride is checked at least once a year. This is done by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to make sure they are safe.
The Monorail Ride
Cal Expo has a permanent monorail system. It was built in 1968. This monorail is one of only two left in California. The other one is at Disneyland.
The monorail trams are stored in the northwest part of Cal Expo. There are four different trams. They are only used during the State Fair. The monorail lets people see many areas of Cal Expo. The ride is about 1 mile long and takes about 10 minutes. It moves at a top speed of 6 miles per hour.
| Number | Color | Theme |
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| 1 | Green | California Dog-Faced Butterfly (state insect) |
| 2 | Red | California Golden Trout (state freshwater fish) |
| 3 | Blue | California Valley Quail (state bird) |
| 4 | Orange | California Golden Poppy (state flower) |
Competitions and Showcases
The California State Fair hosts many exciting competitions. You can see amazing photography and fine art. There's also a special showcase for the best student projects.
Food and drink competitions are very popular. People compete for the best cheeses, wines, and beers. There are also contests for canning and baking.
Awards are also given for livestock. Categories include Junior Livestock, Open Livestock, and Fur and Feathers. These competitions highlight California's strong agricultural traditions.
Images for kids
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California State Fair, opening day 2014
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Marker for the site of the first California State Fair in 1854
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Monorail ("California Valley Quail" tram) and rides (2012) by Carol Highsmith
