California State Fair Opening Day

[Trekkie Dad]

Today (Aug 21) was the opening day of the California State Fair. This years theme is "Weird, Wild, Wacky." Let's see if they pulled this off.

We arrived about a half hour before opening to stand in line and watch the opening ceremonies.





Poppy, the state fair mascot




The ceremonies begin.


Somewhere in here there was a corn dog toast.


Once in the gate, we headed east, towards the food vendors, but only to check a few out. Don't worry, they were everywhere.


Too early to eat.


About to enter the California buildings




We always enjoy the county exhibits. Our home county:










I didn't see Los Angeles or Orange County, but San Diego County is most proud of its beer.

[Trekkie Dad]

Next is floriculture, agriculture, and aquaculture.
















Crayfish (crawdad)


Sturgeon


Albino Corn Snake


Sow with newborn piglets


Care to climb a rope?


Commercial exhibits abound.




How many kinds of jerky are there?


Time for lunch


There's baja chicken and vegetarian refried beans under the cheese and avocado.


Chicken Charlie's on the right. Get your deep fried zucchini weenies here.

[Trekkie Dad]

The 9/11 memorial at the State Fair

[Trekkie Dad]

Remember that theme? Stated differently here.




There's a story behind this picture. I stayed here last year.






Interesting collections






Can you spot Darth Ducky?


Candy Nation


Portrait in jelly beans


Jelly Belly sponsors a cycling team

[Trekkie Dad]

Industrial Arts

I wonder if this bike climbs hills more easily.




Roadrunner, you better watch out!




Fast cars always intrigue teenagers.


Fine Arts building
Sculpture in toothpicks holds center stage.


Reminded me of the Tiki Room (sorta)




Now we are in building 8


Apron depicting Mexican Day of the Dead

[Trekkie Dad]

Next we went to the Forestry Center to pick up a couple of free redwood seedlings.


And then on to the classic car show. You can see I wasn't all that interested in the cars.
Look closely at the guitar. It's actually a bike!






No racing today!


Well, that does it for the pictures. It was starting to get hot. Jimmie and I split a funnel cake and then headed for home.

No pictures of the midway. Carnivals and midways are pretty much the same everywhere. They just don't hold our interest.

Thanks for watching.

[penguinsoda]

Great pictures! I haven't been to a fair in years! One of these days I've got to get back to one... I miss all the different things there are to see. That boat made from toothpicks is amazing! Someone had way to much time on their hands!

[Trekkie Dad]

Originally Posted by penguinsoda

Great pictures! I haven't been to a fair in years! One of these days I've got to get back to one... I miss all the different things there are to see. That boat made from toothpicks is amazing! Someone had way to much time on their hands!

It does kind of look like a boat, but look more closely. It's an amalgam of things associated with San Francisco, title "Rolling by the Bay." A docent was explaining there are four different tracks through which pingpong balls can roll.

[Joshrzmeup]

*sigh* I miss the fair. I remember performing there every year with my gym.

No fair out here comes even remotely close to how cool the CA state fair is, so thanks for the memories Trekkie Dad!

[NeverNeverland]

Thanks for sharing!!
I miss fairs too!

[steamboatpete]

Wow. It almost felt like I was there.

[wolfy]

Thanks so much for sharing your day with us.....Been to the World's Fair, but never our own State Fair.....one day!

[Disney1978]

I had heard that the fair opened. I miss only being 20 minutes away. Seeing the ferris wheel on my way to work.

Free redwood trees = <3 it! My mom has about 10 from previous years in her backyard. I can still hear the noises of the farm equipment they have on demo right next to the trees.

Looks like you had a great time and did not go too nuts on fair food. (sad)