SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — The Sacramento County Fair at Cal Expo will run through Memorial Day weekend.
The fair begins Thursday, May 23, and concludes Monday, May 27. This year’s theme is “shake, cattle and roll,” according to the event’s website.
Patrons can purchase tickets at the presale price by May 22. Presale general admission is $10 for adults, $8 for youth (ages 12-17) and free for kids under 12, organizers said. Presale arena admission is $12, not including fair admission, which is required.
Those who miss the presale deadline will spend $12 on adult admission and $10 for youth. Presale carnival wristbands are also available for $30; wristband purchases do not include admission.
All active duty military and veterans enter free with valid identification May 27.
Matt Cranford, CEO of the Sacramento County Fair, told ABC10 this year has an expanding list of attractions for young kids.
“We are featuring a live stingray exhibit,” Cranford said. “Fairgoers will be able to get up close to these majestic animals. We have also brought in a new experience, a maze, that allows you to learn about the rainforest while getting ‘lost’ in the rainforest.”
Fair hours are:
- May 23, Thursday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
- May 24, Friday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
- May 25, Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
- May 26, Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
- May 27, Monday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Carnival hours are:
- May 23, Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
- May 24, Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
- May 25, Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
- May 26, Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
- May 27, Monday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Building hours are:
- Building C: Local arts, crafts, demonstrations and Wild Science
- Building D: The Shoppers Expo
- Thursday-Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Monday, Memorial Day, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Livestock pavilion hours are:
- Thursday - Sunday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Junior Livestock Auction, Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Monday, Memorial Day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Organizers say most animals leave the fair early Monday morning. To visit the most animals, patrons should plan to visit before Monday.
- May 24: 4x4 Truck Pull | Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m., $12 tickets
- May 25: Humpz & Horns Memorial Rodeo | Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m., $12 tickets
- May 26: Arriba La Quebradita (dance performance) | Doors at 3 p.m., show at 4 p.m., $60 tickets
- May 27: Mayhem Destruction Derby | Doors at 1 p.m., show at 2 p.m., $12 tickets
Free concerts at 7:30 p.m. each night are included with fair admission. They feature:
- May 23: Matchbox Twenty Too, America's Matchbox Twenty tribute band.
- May 24: Fast Times, an 80s tribute.
- May 25: Sacred Fire Band, a Santana tribute.
- May 26: Mezcal de Alicia, an alternative music band.
“We are definitely excited to have the County Fair again this year,” Cranford said. “We have a five fun days for excitement for families and kids of all ages.”
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