The CA State Fair becomes a small city for 17 days in the summer
Very few events in the state of California become a mini-city, hosting 650,000 to 700,000 visitors over 17 days.
This “pop-up” metropolis event provides many of the services you would expect in a small city, promising safe fun for every visitor. Come see what all the fun’s about July 13th – 29th when Cal Expo transforms into the California State Fair. The fair is open weekends from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and weekdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The California State Fair staff provides many of the same services you would expect in a small city, including it’s very own police department, towing and battery services, shuttles, a medical team, accommodations for the disabled, ambulance services, hospitality services, a post office, and a DMV. All are invited to experience a celebration of all things California.
Everyone is welcome at the California State Fair, it is a microcosm of our community.
CEO and General Manager, Rick Pickering
How many people visit the California State Fair? Well, to put it in persepctive, the Sacramento Rivercats hosted 562,000 people, or 8,000 per game over 70 games. The Sacramento Kings welcomed 649,000 people, or 16,000 a game for 41 games last season. The California State Fair will host an average of 38,000 people a day over just 2½ weeks! The facilities include over 400 toilets, 11 air-conditioned buildings, a race track, a professional soccer field, concert venues, 95 food and beverage vendors, a waterpark, 100 exhibits, 200 shopping booths, three dance clubs, a bookstore, kitchens, a monorail, a 911 memorial, one BIG animal barn, a farm, a forest, and yes, a disco.
Facilities aside, the primary focus of the California State Fair remains the safety and security of all attendees. Just like a small city, the staff is charged with the responsibility for 20,000 to 70,000 people a day. The State Fair staff does not take these steps lightly.
Adult Admission– $14.00
Youth Admission– $8.00 Senior Daily– $10.00
“Lady Bird” Experience Pass– $22.00 – Admission to the Fair + Unlimited “Log Ride” on the White Water ride. Stay cool and ride all day. Package based on the Oscar nominated movie filmed in Sacramento.
HorseRacing Turf Club Experience Package– $32.00 includes Admission to the Fair and a buffet meal with fresh local vegetables, salad bar and daily pasta specials. Healthy eating and horseracing fun! (Thursday – Sunday 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.)
Your safety begins even before you enter Cal Expo as the parking lots are patrolled throughout the day and night with the aid of state-of-the-art license plate readers. Come nightfall the parking lots are well lit. There are also security escorts available upon request to walk guests back to their vehicles. No panic should you happen to lock yourself out of your car, need a jumpstart or even a tow, Central Valley Towing provides these services for free!
The entry gates are the next point of safety. The California State Fair prohibits several items from entering the fairgrounds, including glass, aluminum cans and outside alcohol. Like entering a sporting event or concert, all visitors enter through metal detectors and have bag checks as part of the admission process. Prohibited items include weapons of any kind, alcohol, narcotics, illegal substances, drones, or items that obscure a person’s face.
To ensure everyone’s enjoyment, the California State Fair posts clear and concise Code of Conduct at each entrance. The COC is also available on the State Fair’s website. The general rules prohibit profanity as well as engaging in unsafe, illegal, disruptive, or offensive behavior. You can read the complete Code of Conduct here.
It is the goal of the California State Fair Police department to enhance the visitor experience and provide a safe and secure environment for our whole community.
Acting Chief of Police for the California State Fair, Chief Robillard
The California State Fair provides its own police department for public safety on the Fairgrounds. The department partners with surrounding law enforcement agencies to expand the number of officers who patrol the grounds on foot, horse, or bicycle so that they can quickly respond to calls for service. There are also more than 200 cameras mounted throughout the Fairgrounds’ 850-plus acres. The video feeds are monitored constantly to allow public safety officers to identify and respond immediately to situations.
The State Fair employs full medical personnel on site. These highly trained professionals are prepared for any medical situation that may arise during the busy fair day. They also get in on some of the fun, as First Responders including firemen, EMTs and police officers face off in a live cooking challenge.
Heat exhaustion can be a common occurrence during July, one of the hottest months of the year. The State Fair has increased the number of outdoor fans and misters. There are also numerous air-conditioned buildings on the grounds for cooling down should a visitor feel overheated during the day. The on-site medical personnel is always ready to respond quickly should a heat-induced or other medical emergency arise. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with “cool down” locations throughout the fairgrounds.
Nursing moms will also find private, air-conditioned areas inside one of the Fair’s two Mommy Lounges, located in Expo Building 2 and in California Building A. The lounges are private and cool places where moms can nurse babies away from the hustle and bustle of the State Fair.
Given the sunny weather Kaiser Permanente provides complimentary sunscreen to all fairgoers at each information booth. These booths are packed with other useful materials, from hand sanitizer to fitness brochures.
Since 1854 The California State Fair has provided a snapshot of the best of California food, agriculture, technology, music and people that define the Golden State. Visitors arrive en masse to revel in our state’s heritage, products and recreational spirit. One hundred and sixty-four years later temporary residents of the California State Fair metropolis relax in the knowledge that their safety remains paramount to the State Fair team who have taken every step possible to make a day at the fair as safe and secure as possible. Visit the California State Fair, July 13th to 29th. www.castatefair.org/tickets