From Dairy Cows To Classic Rock, Here Are CapRadio Staff's Favorite State Fair Attractions

With its scorching hot asphalt and wine slushies, dairy cows and carnival rides, the California State Fair just feels like Sacramento summer.

Or at least that’s how Capital Public Radio health care reporter Sammy Caiola put it when we asked staff their favorite things about the annual fair.

Love it or hate it, the state fair is always a conversation piece. It may seem hotter with each passing year, but that doesn’t stop many Sacramentans from heading to Cal Expo for formerly famous live bands, fried cannoli and more.

To celebrate this Sacramento tradition, we asked our CapRadio staff their favorite things about the state fair. So, if you’re looking to experience the fair like us, here’s where you should start:

Donna Apidone

Morning Edition, Classical Music

and CapRadio Reads Host

The goats. I go every year to play with the goats. And I say hello to the dairy cows while I’m there. Did I mention cinnamon rolls?

Sammy Caiola

Health Care Reporter

The llama and alpaca agility course is not to be missed. The goal is to get the animals to climb stairs and walk through hoops and whatnot. Most of them can do it, but sometimes you just get a clumsy one that stumbles all over everything. Last year, one of the alpacas knocked over a whole obstacle and it had to be rebuilt between rounds.

Fried food! My boyfriend is from Minnesota, and the only place I can get him fried cheese curds in California is at the state fair. We’re also into the bucket of lobster fries, and the deep fried Oreos.

Mark Jones

Content Production Manager and Insight Technical Director

We like to start with a ride on the monorail to get an overview of what’s going on. If there’s a new ride that looks interesting, we might head there, but we always end up in the barns checking out the animals, then looking through the sales floors for cool new gadgets! We always tour the arts building. We usually find something interesting, and always enjoy the air conditioning. We base our attendance on the expected temperature and when our favorite bands are playing.

Lisa Cooper

Underwriting Specialist

Do corndogs count as an attraction? I guess I love the license to eat junk food.

Jen Picard

Insight Senior Producer

Heart, Air Supply, STYX, Weird Al Yankovic ... What better place to see some of the best rock bands EVER than at the California State Fair?

So yeah, I'm probably dating myself here, but one of the reasons I love going to the fair is getting the chance to revel in some serious classic rock with my dad and daughter. There's just something magical about a group singalong to "Come Sail Away" as the sun sets over the midway. And there's no better place to be than on the gondola as Weird Al breaks into "Ya-Ya-Ya-Yoda" and a collective squeal fills the air.

What's this summer's big draw for my fellow classic rock lovers? Motoring to the sounds of "Sister Christian," of course, when Night Ranger takes the stage this Saturday night. What's your price for flight?

Bob Moffitt

Sacramento Region Reporter

Horse racing.

Joseph Martin

Director of Research and Advancement

I enjoy getting a 40-ounce jug of fresh lemonade from Hot Dog on a Stick and then making my way to the see the animals. I don’t frequent the fair every year, but seeing the goats, sheep, and rabbits is always fun. One night we stayed late to watch the entire set of a Huey Lewis cover band, which was awesome, and eating that last, stale churro or two from the churro case was a perfect way to close out the evening.

Nick Miller

Senior Editor, News & Features

I’m really into the exhibits. There’s always something super weird and out of place. I’m also pumped to see Kool & the Gang. You might think you saw me at Sugar Ray, too, but that’s not me: It’s my doppelganger. Swear.

The California State Fair is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday to Sunday at Cal Expo through Sunday, July 29.

We want to hear about your favorite part of the California State Fair, too! Send an email to [email protected] about what you like to do on those summer days at the fair, and we might feature your answer on our site next week.