Slide into Fun at the 2012 CA State Fair!
Like a perfectly blended margarita – with some sweetness, some sour, some kick, and little salt to lick – the 2012 CA State Fair has its own bittersweet concoction of cool, hot, and just-right summer fun. And there just happen to be 10 days left within which to absorb the mist of good-old fashioned fair frolicking and nostalgia.
What’s Pretty Cool ~
* All the Things to Feed your Curiosity: Go bird watching, feed baby animals, explore grape vines and horticulture, learn about the history of the Girl Scouts, explore all of California’s counties, partake in some serious horse-play.
* 2-for-1 Admission Coupons at Big-O Tires: Yippee! But take heed as these discounts are good only during weekdays.
* Raging Waters Water Park: On Cal Expo grounds, you can enter through the fair or the far southeast lot (D, I think). The kids will love it, you might even like it. (Separate entrance fee required).
* SaveMart Supermarkets Wine Country: Wine tasting with purchase, and Wines of the Day yield a bottle for just $15 (compared to two small beers for $12).
* Pack a Picnic: You can bring a picnic into the fair, and there are designated picnic areas; just no bottles or alcohol.
* Free Concerts: Even those that require paid admission can be heard from outside the open-air venue. You might even be lucky enough to nab a spot of grassy area.
What’s Not So Hot ~
* Beer Prices: See above.
* Hard-Selling Vendors and Carnies: Some seem to cross the line from playful engagement to a little please-leave-me-alone already (especially when you don’t want to be hassled every 10 feet).
* Wine Country: It loses a star because they give off some mixed messages about the complimentary wine tasting.
What’s Just Right ~
* World’s Biggest Margarita (er, Calarita): Soon to be in the Guinness Book of World Records.
* The Fountains: Aside from diving into that margarita, there’s little more refreshing on a hot summer day than cooling off beneath (or just near) the fair fountains.
* Surprises along the Way: Like the freakishly tall but splendidly dressed stilt people who will gladly stop and pose picture-perfectly still for you.
I Recommend~
Since I couldn’t get to it all myself, check the website before you go and make note of things you’d like to see and do.
Next Year~
To save a few bucks, search for deals online before the fair even starts. That’s when you’ll get the best prices and package deals and steals, helping you save some hard-earned cash for experiencing the fair’s nuances of your choice.
Where to Stay~
There is something special about Sacramento; the rich land upon which it was built, the rivers that flow through, the bounty around it and the people who make the Sacramento area their home.
Life is good in California’s Capital City for many reasons, including climate and geography, community and amenities, nature and wildlife, and so much more. It’s hard to imagine a warmer feeling than a sunshine-drenched morning here, an easier feeling than a refreshing post-rain spring day, or a more engaging experience than a night on the town with friends or family.
There’s truly something here for everyone and every mood, for Sacramento is a shifting entity itself, with four distinct but relatively mild seasons, diverse neighborhoods and people, a ripening food and restaurant scene, year-round events and outdoor fun, and daytime and night-time adventures. Its magic is a blend of history and tradition, vision and reinvention. And there’s so much pleasure to be had here – with family and friends, food and wine, adventures and experiences – that they’re likely to create the kind of fond memories that might seem so familiar… but aren’t quite like any other.
