What would a fair be like without going on rides at the carnival?  There are rides for the thrill-seekers as well as for those who want a tamer but just as fun experience. Photo courtesy of California State Fair

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The 170th California State Fair offers 17 days of old-fashioned fun for the whole family, from July 12 to July 28.

Lucky for us that we don’t have to drive too far; the first state fair sponsored by the California State Agricultural Society, was held in San Francisco on Oct. 4, 1854, and rotated to different cities for the next six years. In 1861, however, Sacramento became the permanent location for the extravaganza.

While today’s California State Fair still honors the state’s agricultural industry, there is much more to see and enjoy at the annual event.

There are plenty of activities for all ages. That includes eating funnel cakes, waffles to sliders; listening to top musicians; riding Butler Amusements’ thrilling Zipper to the classic and calmer Crown Merry Go Round; and checking out competitions and exhibits that feature our neighbors’ talents and skills.

Besides the nightly concerts, entertainment is ongoing each day. For starters, there’s the Tanzanite African Acrobats, the Stilt Circus and the Salsa Steel Band.

The many competitions include the Open Livestock Show with beef cattle, sheep, Boer goats, dairy cattle, dairy goats, Nigerian dwarf goats, pygmy goats, angora and fiber goats, longhorn cattle, llamas and alpaca.

And the always popular Junior Livestock competition spotlights the dedicated youth FFA members with their beef cattle, sheep, swine, goats, dairy cattle and dairy goats.

Exhibits.range from a Candy Maze Selfie Exhibit, a Student Showcase & CA Crafts Exhibit, Animation Academy to a fine art and photography exhibit.

The California State Fair is open different hours of the week.

Main Gate and Blue Gate hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Green Gate opens at 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Carnival and Skyride hours are from 2 to 11 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Kids Park hours are 1 to 11 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Exhibit Building hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

The Monorail opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and at 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday.

Tickets can be bought online at https://calexpostatefair.com/tickets or at the fair’s box office. Several ticket prices and packages are offered. Daily tickets to the fair and food festival start at $16 for adults ($14 in advance), $12 ($10 in advance) for seniors 62 and older and $10 ($8 in advance) for children ages 5 to 12. Fair admission is free for children 4 and under.

In addition, a Family Fun Pack is $49.99 and includes four single-day general admissions, four ride tickets (each good for one ride in the Carnival or on the Monorail), and a parking pass.

The Toyota Concert Series is free with fair admission ticket in the area behind the General Admission seating area to the first 700 concert-goers. Seats can also be reserved, starting at $25.

Parking is $15 a day or three days for $30.

There are also different prices for the carnival rides, starting at $1 per ticket and carnival fast passes from $10 to $15. An Unlimited Ride Wristband bought at the Carnival is $39 Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and $44 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Cal Expo is at 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento, northeast of the American River.

For more information about the California State Fair, go online to calexpostatefair.com, call 916-263-3000 or email [email protected].

 A ribbon from the competitions is a huge honor for the hundreds of competitors. Photo courtesy of California State Fair