Fun at The 2015 California State Fair
By Ken Kiunke
Staff Reporter
The California State Fair is back again in Sacramento, naturally at Cal Expo fairgrounds, 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, CA. The annual summertime highlight brings its usual delights in fun, food and entertainment. While many may want to head straight for the Midway Carnival, featuring over 70 rides, and plenty of games and chances to win prizes, I usually start at the Expo Center to check out the 8 buildings filled with returning exhibits, and always a few new additions. Courtesy Photo: CA State Fair Midway.
I enjoy checking out the Youth Art on display. Most of the paintings, drawings, and photography is work done by talented young people with plenty of promise, but a definite amateur, unsophisticated look. But there are usually a few real gems in the collection that show a surprising sophistication and would be worthy of the Fine Arts collection. The first place display had some excellent figurative work by award winners Iris Bai, Ashley Chang, Angie Kang, and Yihoa Xu that were all very accomplished, mature paintings, especially for kids all under 18. Photo by Ken Kiunke: Youth Art
The Fine Arts exhibit, where adult artists have submitted their work, is always a mixed bag of pieces that will appeal to a variety of tastes. I can usually find several works that I can admire, and several that may not appeal to me so much, but would be greatly appreciated by others. I enjoyed the spotlight collection of the late Earl Boley, who died in 2013. Several oil paintings were on display from this impressionist inspired artist. The work is also available for sale, so if something touches you deeply, you could even bring it home! The California Crafts exhibit features some amazing quilts, along with other hand crafted, three dimensional work by California artists and craftspeople. Photo by Ken Kiunke: Earl Boley Art Collection
Other Expo Building exhibits included the interesting Minds in Motion, where you could test your balance, throwing speed, and dexterity, and view some interesting animals, like an owl, hedgehog and armadillo. There is also an unusual kinetic animation machine presented by Stage Nine, where various toy Simpsons, Gumby and Pokeys, Felix the Cats and others will spin about under a strobe light to simulate movement. Primitive, but fun and effective animation that always drew a crowd.
Photo by Ken Kiunke: the kinetic animation machine
Another new exhibit is the Tech Trek: From Science Fiction to Science Fact, which presents some of our favorite Sci-Fi movie gadgets made into reality. The “Dream Big” and Industrial and Technology Education shows round out the collection, along with the perennial favorite, Fur and Feathers, where you can view farm birds – chickens, ducks, geese – and cute and furry rabbits and chinchillas, parrots, and of course baby chicks. It is always amazing to see the variety of animals, especially the chickens and rabbits – there are so many different kinds!
Another fun place to explore is The Farm, where big varieties California produce is growing on hand – tomatoes, peppers, grapes, and more, tempting to just reach out and pick (but don’t – the produce is all harvested and donated!) All manner of bugs are on display in the Insect Pavilion, and a variety of fish in the Aquaculture pools. Kids (and adults) can reach in and pet a large, live sturgeon. Photo by Ken Kiunke: The Farm
Another favorite is The Grill, where Savemart presents the fair’s Official Chef Keith Breedlove doing outdoor grill based cooking demonstrations, complete with samples. He uses a large selection of locally grown fresh produce and meat on the outdoor grill to inspire home chefs. Naturally, the Wine Country is close at hand for tasting and drinking, along with some yummy food pairings. Photo by Ken Kiunke: Aquaculture pools
Of course the State Fair has so much more going on, like the California Counties exhibits, California Authors to meet and discuss their work, daily freestyle motocross shows, and the Beach Buddy Adventure, featuring live otters, a pelican and bald eagle. Photo courtesy CA State Fair
And the music is always a highlight, both on the Golden 1 Stage, featuring the big name artists, and at several smaller venues throughout the fair. Plus there is horseracing on some days, fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights, and livestock – plenty of livestock! Check www.castatefair.org for details of everything the fair has to offer this year. The fair is running daily through July 26th. (916) 263-3247. Photo courtesy CA State Fair
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