Simple pleasures build a day at the California State Fair

Not everything is going to please everyone but there are options and more options at the California State Fair. If you go and find yourself bored, then you haven’t gotten a feel for what it has to offer. There are a few different ways to go about enjoying what the fair provides each year. You can check out all the scheduled events, performances and exhibits before you go and plan your day(s) accordingly or wing it … or you can do a little of both. Either way, there is a long list of attractions every year and its easy to overlook simple things.

A garden with rows of leafy greens, sunflowers, and cotton plants may not be a thriller for a lot of people but its worth at least one glance while passing through The Farm. Tanks of fish in sequential sizes and a few colorful turtles could be seen before moving on through the flower and wine garden.

In a little corner near the petting zoo you might find a friendly NorCal Equine Rescue volunteer sitting quietly with a little black disabled horse wearing tennis shoes. According to the volunteer, Jason Preisner, the tennis shoes were provided to help give the horse traction but when queried further he admitted that maybe 80% of the purpose was to attract a little attention to the horse while only 20% was to actually help with the traction aspect. It worked! People looked and wondered, pet the horse, and dropped a few dollars in his donation box. You can find out more about this organization at www.SaveTheHorse.com.

Around the corner, passing the Kid’s Park with early-year Michael Jackson music playing from some colorful funhouses and rides, you could come across the Promenade Stage and find some dancing ladies enjoying the featured band, Sariri Cumbia Andina, while some of the fair-going crowd relaxed or enjoyed the shade and fair food. Over on the other end of the fair grounds were eight buildings of exhibits surrounding the PG&E Center Stage where you could see the competition entries and winners such as the First Place 3D Scuplture Age 16-19 Dana Skeels for My Inner Dragon or the First Place 3-D Sculpture Age 10-12 Wax Fairy with head and arms made from recycled wax by Paige Tucker.

All these things could be found at the State Fair and so much more. Little details and little moments could make a big day for those with energy, patience and an appreciative eye. If one type of music wasn’t likely to prompt your toe to tap, there would be another featured a few hours later or something entirely different to consider. With heat, a lot of ground to cover, and expenses to consider, you might choose to skip it all; but, with a positive intent to be part of the variety, culture, art, and fun, the state fair remains a worthwhile excursion.     All photos and content copyright by Susan Raines

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