The California State Fair is THE event of the summer – and it’s one that everyone can enjoy. Couples, families, shoppers, culture connoisseurs, teenagers, food lovers (our own Eric Fankhauser was spotted devouring a large waffle cone of gelato) and music enthusiasts all come expecting “Big Fun” and find exactly what they are looking for. This year the “State Fair goes Hollywood” is the theme, and they did a great job showing off the old Hollywood style.
My husband and I had our first date at the fair 13 years ago and it has become a part of our family’s summer plans every year since. While I am a far cry from the 17 year old girl running from ride to ride on the midway that I was, I still enjoy a good go-round on the “Zipper” now and again.
Nowadays, my time is spent in Camp Smokey with my boys. This year we spent each Tuesday (FREE kid’s day for 12 and under) of the fair gallivanting around the exhibits. We spent time on “The Farm” and at the “Rats, Bats, and Cats” exhibit to make our day educational. The “Going Hollywood” theme was a hit. There we saw everything from the time hopping ride from “Back to the Future” to the scale model submarine used in the movies “1941” and “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark”. We also had a great time looking at the model dinosaurs from “Jurassic Park”; there was a bust of a velociraptor that completely freaked me out! I got to check out movie scripts from “Wizard of Oz” and “Ace Ventura” and I found out how Hollywood got its name. The shopping at the exhibit was, of course, made to order. I could buy everything from a wooden AK-47 to a picture of Sonny & Cher for my collection.
You can’t talk about the California State Fair without talking about the food! The “California Kitchen” is a great place to stop and sample a new recipe, some genuine California cheese or every kid’s favorite: honey!
But then, it's time to scour the Midway food court. I’m one of the adventurous ones who always looks for something new to try. I wouldn’t recommend the chicken sandwiched between deep fried donuts, but I did find something fabulous this year: Gelato! Gelato is an Italian version of ice cream, but much creamier and get this: fewer carbs than “regular” ice cream. A new vendor at the fair this year is “Colossal Gelato” and their name says it all. They have HUGE waffle cones that they pack almost a full half gallon of gelato into; which may cause your pants to pop a button in protest. However, they do provide single serving sizes and some of their recommend flavors are chocolate chip, birthday cake and tiramisu! Matt, the owner of the “Colossal” booth, services all of the triathlons in California; so if you find yourself at one, look for the booth with the gigantic pillars and flames out of the top. This is their first time at the fair and what is very cool about this icy confection…50% of the profits goes to non profit cause World Vision that helps international causes all over the world! Which means the State Fair isn’t just about fried food on a stick…its one of the few places you can go to eat ice cream and genuinely feel you are making the world a better place!