California State Fair: The Birth of a Tradition
In the early days of the Golden State, when California was, but a newborn entity teeming with potential, the idea of a state fair was born. Editorialists of the Daily Alta California, in an edition published on November 5, 1850, envisioned an “exhibition that would astonish the world.”
They compared California’s potential to the goddess Minerva, who, in myth, sprang fully formed and powerful from the brain of Jove.
1854 the California State Legislature breathed life into this vision, creating the State Agricultural Society and scheduling the first state fair. The inaugural event showcased the state’s fruits, vegetables, flowers, grain, and livestock, with a whopping $5000 worth of premiums for the best of the show.
The Fair’s Early Days
The first California State Fair began on October 4, 1854, at the Music Hall on Bush Street in San Francisco. The livestock, a central feature of the fair, was shown at Mission Dolores.
The fair was a traveling event in its early years, moving to a different city each year, with Sacramento hosting it in 1855, followed by San Jose in 1856, Stockton in 1857, and Marysville in 1858.
When the fair returned to Sacramento in 1859, it was held at the newly-built Agricultural Hall near the Golden 1 Center on Capitol Mall. This marked the beginning of Sacramento becoming the permanent home of the fair.
An Unfolding Story
Fast forward to the 21st century, the California State Fair, now held annually at Cal Expo in Sacramento, has become a grand 17-day event.
The fair showcases California’s diverse industries, agriculture, and people. It features blue-ribbon animal displays, culinary delights and competitions, live music concerts, a carnival, fireworks, and other family-friendly activities.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the fair drew between 20,000 and 60,000 people daily, with about $8.5 million in food and beverage expenditures. However, in 2020 and 2021, the fair was canceled due to the pandemic, causing direct losses of approximately $16 million in revenue and impacting over 800 seasonal workers.
The 2022 California State Fair: A Grand Reopening
Fast forward to 2022, and the California State Fair returned triumphantly after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sacramento’s Cal Expo buzzed with life as the fairgrounds filled with eager attendees. The fair evolved from humble beginnings into a grand event, showcasing California’s agriculture and diverse industries and people.
The 2022 fair was a celebration of resilience and community. The event featured live music performances, with artists like Chaka Khan, Neon Trees, and Night Ranger taking the stage.
Over 60 food vendors offered an array of culinary delights, from classic fair foods to innovative creations from local businesses. There were rides for thrill-seekers, family activities, and competitions that brought a competitive spirit to the festivities.
Special events punctuated the fair’s schedule, like the California Agricultural Club Breakfast, Military, Veteran & First Responder Appreciation Day, and the Brew Fest of California. Free admission days, discounts, and special offers made the fair accessible.
The fair was not just a place to have fun; it was a place to make memories. The scent of popcorn and cotton candy filled the air, the sound of laughter echoed around the fairgrounds, and the bright lights of the carnival rides painted the night sky with a kaleidoscope of colors.
In 2022, the fair saw 650,000 people enter the gates, marking an increase of 8.9 percent over the last pre-pandemic edition in 2019.
Despite this positive resurgence, the California State Fair has been grappling with decreasing attendance numbers over the past decade, seeing a decline of around 40 percent compared to the early 2000s.
What’s Ahead for the Fair
The California State Fair & Food Festival is scheduled for July 14-30 in 2023. As in past years, the 2023 event will continue to highlight the best of California’s industries, agriculture, and diversity, offering a cornucopia of experiences for attendees.
The ongoing challenge for the fair is to rejuvenate its appeal and draw in larger crowds in the face of changing entertainment preferences and competition from other attractions.
In 2023, the general admission starts at $16 for adults, $12 for seniors over 62, $10 for children ages 5-12, and children under 4 get in free. Parking at the Cal Expo parking lot is $15.
Despite the challenges, the California State Fair remains a cherished tradition, a celebration of the state’s richness and diversity, and an annual event eagerly anticipated by many Californians and visitors alike.
The fair’s vibrant history, from its humble beginnings as a small agricultural exhibit in 1854 to its evolution into a grand statewide event, is a testament to California’s dynamism and growth.
The spirit of the California State Fair, much like the state itself, is resilient and enduring. The fair’s future will undoubtedly continue to reflect the evolving story of California, capturing the spirit of the Golden State in all its richness and diversity.