California State Fair, we’re glad you’re back.

After a two-year COVID hiatus, the 2022 California State Fair & Food Festival has once again arrived on the grounds of Cal Expo in Sacramento. 

It highlights all that is exciting and bountiful in the great Golden State.

The 2022 California State Fair began on Friday, July 15, with Chaka Khan gracing the evening stage that day and runs through Sunday, July 31. I finally had a chance to make it over on Friday evening with Barrett, and we had a wonderful time.

From food to shows, to exhibits, to rides and concerts, the fair is back with a bang in 2022.

Get Your Belly Filled from Food Vendors

Food is my priority at any fair.

I’m a little past my prime for most rides, although I know they’re a blast for the kids, and spend most of my time at a fair feeling glutinous. Then, I like to round off a bout of eating with a bit of sit-down and show. Not everyone’s fancy, but I know I have some fellow “eat food and sit” peeps out there.

The food vendors are aplenty at the 2022 California State Fair & Food Festival.

I had eaten before visiting the fair (a mistake), so I didn’t eat as hardcore as I had initially planned. We started with a giant lemonade and made our rounds to look at the various food and fair offerings.

You’ll find nachos (my fair favorite), turkey legs, grilled cheese, Greek fries, regular fries, tater tots topped with nacho cheese, candy, fried chicken, pickles, rice bowls, popcorn of all varieties, Chinese food, hamburgers, tacos, lattes, ice cream, cinnamon rolls, funnel cakes, butterbeer milkshakes, alcoholic beverages at various bars — and a whole lot more.

Anything on the list striking your fancy? I’ve missed many, so you must visit to “food explore” yourself.

Due to the heat, it looked like lemonade was the highlight and most-purchased food item walking about, closely followed by the classic turkey leg.

I was craving nachos even before I entered the gates, so we grabbed a box each. I said “yes” to jalapenos, a must. There’s something about fair nachos and cheese that makes me happy as a clam. With the high heat lately, staying hydrated is essential, so we drank a bottle of water at each food stop.

Next, we found our way to Pepe’s for tacos.

We ordered carne asada (beef) tacos, and they hit the spot. Authentic, delicious, perfectly seasoned, and light enough to save some room for a drink during the concert happening later in the evening.

A Food Festival Pass is an excellent value if you expect to eat at least four items from different food vendors. Instead of paying roughly $40 for four items without a pass, you spend $28 for a pass and choose four items from participating food vendors.

A food map is available on the California State Fair website.

Livestock Awards & Cavalcade of Horses at the Horse Arena

Most of the livestock shows and viewings happen in the morning to afternoon at the fair, so when we visited in the evening, there weren’t any animals on display. The various livestock awarded at the fair are goats, cattle, and swine.

Luckily, we were able to visit the horse arena and catch one of the “Cavalcade of Horses” live shows.

The show featured the Tennessee Gliders out in full dress and regalia, with a fun, glitzy performance and costumes. Acrobatics were performed atop the horses, and even aerial silk dancers displayed their skills.

PG&E Center Stage Shows at the California State Fair & Food Festival

The PG&E Center Stage is one of my favorite areas at the California State Fair.

It’s in a central space surrounded by the faces of concrete exhibit buildings, with everyone sitting in chairs at floor level or on the many stair steps surrounding the stage.

At the PG&E Center Stage, you can catch master hypnotist Tina Marie and the ZuZu Acrobats performing daily.

We watched both shows, with hypnotist Tina Marie getting all participants to shake their booties (maybe some unwillingly) and the ZuZu Acrobats showing off their gravity-defying stunts.

Freestyle Motocross, Exhibits & Silent Disco

Scattered throughout the fairgrounds are many entertaining and exciting exhibits.

Some exhibits include the CA Cannabis Exhibit (showcasing the history of cannabis and its impact on the agricultural industry) and the California Fresh Exhibit (sharing the state’s diverse specialty crops through interactive displays).

We also visited the Toytopia exhibit — displaying toys of all decades, their origins, who made them, and why. It was delightful to see so many toys I was privileged to play with at my Grandparents’ homes.

The silent disco was busy when we passed by, but we didn’t go inside.

A freestyle motocross show takes place in front of the Golden 1 Stage three times daily — at 3 pm, 5 pm, and 7 pm. The best riders from across the state show off their stunts — all tricks and kicks I will indeed never mimic in my life.

Carnival Rides & Kids Area

Butler Amusements operate the carnival rides at the fair, including thrillers like Vertigo, the Giant Wheel, Turbo Speed, Wave Swinger, Mega Flip, Inversion, Super Shot, and more.

We didn’t get on any rides while at the fair but noticed more attractions available than in years past. At the back of the fair, past the food court area, there’s an additional kids area for younger kids to enjoy rides away from older youth and adults.

Did you know? Each Tuesday at the fair, kids 12 and under receive free admission. Additionally, all guests (of any age) only pay $2 per carnival ride.

Toyota Concert Series on the Golden 1 Stage

The cherry atop our visit was certainly the Toyota concert series on the Golden 1 Stage.

Each night a new artist graces the stage — the first night featured Chaka Khan, with other acts including the Neon Trees, Night Ranger, Clay Walker, Los Lonely Boys, Mariachi Vargas, Queen Nation, Journey Revisited, TLC, and Smash Mouth.

Who did we see on the evening of our fair visit? ABBA The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA!

The Swedish performers covering every favorite ABBA song brought the whole crowd to a foregone era, and I’m still feeding from the energy of the night. Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Fernando, Dancing Queen. I may have shed a few (or many) tears, making such a connection as an ABBA fan and feeling like I was watching the originals themselves.

All concerts are free with general admission (without reserved seating), but seats can be reserved closer to the stage, starting at $15.

Plan a Day at the California State Fair & Food Festival

I’m glad I visited the California State Fair & Food Festival for 2022.

During the past two decades, I spent many years helping to coordinate non-profit breast cancer walks at Cal Expo and have even performed at center stage at the fair, so it’s a fun change to be on the reverse, consumer-side of the property.

After having plans ripped away due to COVID the past two years, I’m proud of the fair for flaming back to life. The fair felt organized, its available ride and food spaces were more extensive than ever, the buildings were full of vendors, and a significant police presence made every area feel safe.

With a week left, I’m already making plans to make a second visit.

What time does the 2022 California State Fair & Food Festival open each day?

The Main Gate & Blue Gate hours for the fair are Monday – Thursday (11 am – 10 pm) and Friday – Sunday (10 am – 10 pm). Exhibit building hours are the same. The carnival opens at 1 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and at 11 am on Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Full details on hours for the fair are available here.

Major sponsors of the California State Fair include Save Mart, Golden 1 Credit Union, Chevrolet, SMUD, Coors Light, Pepsi, Toyota, and Tractor Supply Co.