After a year hiatus due to COVID, the California Mid-State Fair is back in full-force! The California Mid-State Fair runs for 12 days from July 21st through August 1st, 2021. This California Central Coast Fair has hosted some of the biggest names in the music industry, and this year is no different. Ever since I was younger, I looked forward to the Mid-State Fair because my family would head up to Lake Nacimiento during the day, and hit up the fair during the night, and to me…It meant it was *SUMMERTIME*. The fair holds special memories for everyone who has experienced it. It’s where I saw Tim McGraw in the front row for the very first time – It’s where I always felt the most comfortable wearing my riding boots in public (…not so common growing up in Santa Barbara…) – It’s where I’ve made lifelong memories with my high school friends – It’s where I went on a “first date” – It’s where I’ve always felt the most in touch with other California Central Coast homegrowns. Long story short, I love the nostalgic feeling the fair gives me!
I posted a lot of Instagram stories while I was at the California Mid-State Fair and received a lot of questions asking about the crowds, the differences of this year, what to expect vs. what not to expect, etc., so I wanted to quickly run through what I noticed. First of all, attendance felt slightly lower than normal, but that is nothing to be upset about! If anything, this year is the year to visit if you’d like to avoid the crowds. There are still plenty of people walking around and enjoying themselves. I noticed there were less people around Jimmy’s Watering Hole, surprisingly, and more people around the rides, but I went during a non-headliner concert night. There was a short line to purchase gate admission tickets (friendly reminder: your concert ticket does not include gate admission), but you can purchase your ticket on their website to avoid the lines.
FOOD! The food options are still the same — plenty to choose from. If anything, I got decision paralysis because I couldn’t decide which fair foods to indulge in. Cotton candy is my number one choice at any fair, so I started with some sugar and then grabbed a tri-tip sandwich from Big Bubba’s BBQ in true Central Coast fashion. I regret not grabbing one of the giant corn dogs or a large pretzel, but I guess that just means I need to go back again! Calories don’t count at the fair, right?
One of the differences I noticed was there were a few less rides, which the California Mid-State Fair also communicated on their Instagram account. They still have all of the popular rides to hop on, but with less rides, comes slightly longer lines. The Ferris wheel is my go-to and the only ride I wanted to go on because I wanted to play some games instead. In hindsight, I’ve been laughing at the fact that I was gung-ho about riding the Ferris wheel because as soon as it started moving and we reached the top, I started to have a minor panic attack. I eventually got comfortable, but I had never been afraid of heights before, until now! The sun was setting while we made our circles from low to high and it was the perfect way to end the day.
Lastly, and of course, most importantly to many of you — You can still walk around and look at each FFA’s livestock. They were showing the sheep while we were there!
There’s always something to see or do at the fair, so I went ahead and put all of the events in one place for you as a reference guide while the 12 days of festivities take place! I’ve bolded the bigger events and the ones that I’m the most interested in. Leave a comment and share what your favorite California Mid-State Fair memory is or what you’re looking forward to the most this year!
Photography: Kristine Cramer Photography
California Mid-State Fair Schedule of Events
*New Hours:
Monday – Thursday … 4pm – Midnight
Friday – Sunday … noon – Midnight
Wednesday, July 21st – Opening Day!
- 8:00am: Poultry and Turkey Show & Poultry Knowledge Bowl
- 8:30am: 4-H & FFA Horse Show
- 9:00am: Dairy Goat Showmanship, followed by Dairy Goat Show
- 1:00pm: Country Rodeo presented by Hearst – Barrel Racing
- 3:30pm: Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting
- 4:00pm: Carnival, Exhibits, Food, Drink & Shopping Opens – Hearst Castle Activities – The Quiltery Demonstrations – Bishops Peak Embroidery Guild Demonstrations – SLO County Parks & Rec Exhibit – The Krush 92.5: Cork Dorks Live! – Lorikeet Encounter Interactive Exhibit
- 4:30pm: Judge’s Critique
- 5:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 6:00pm: Draft Horse Demonstrations w/ Harris Stage Lines
- 6:30pm: Public Contest – Heads Up! 75th Anniversary Challenge
- 7:00pm: Music Mark Adams – Miss CMSF Pageant
- 7:30pm: Bret Michaels with special guest
Thursday, July 22nd
- 8:00am: Country Rodeo presented by Hearst – Team Roping
- 2:00pm: Industrial Arts Auction Preview
- 2:30pm: Industrial Arts Auction
- 4:00pm: Carnival, Exhibits, Food, Drink, & Shopping Open – The Krush 92.5: Cork Dorks Live – C&F Day Social Hour – Hearst Castle Activities – SLO County Parks & Rec Exhibit – CC Weavers & Spinners Demonstrations – Lorikeet Encounter Interactive Exhibit
- 5:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show – C&F Day BBQ Steak Dinner – Garden Farms Nursery: Iris Care and Propagation Demonstrations
- 6:00pm: Draft Horse Demonstrations with Harris Stage Lines
- 6:30pm: Public Contest (Musical Chairs) – C&F Day Awards Presentation
- 7:00pm: Monte Mills & The Lucky Horseshoe Band
- 7:30pm: Dwight Yoakam with special guest King Leg
- 8:00pm: We Are Messengers – Music
Friday, July 23rd
- 8:00am: Country Rodeo presented by Hearst – Junior Gymkhana
- 12:00pm: Carnival, Exhibits, Food, Drink, & Shopping Open – Hearst Castle Activities – Boy Scouts Activities – Girl Scouts Activities – SLO County Parks & Rec Exhibit – Veggie Art Activities – Robotics Demonstrations – Lorikeet Encounter Interactive Exhibit
- 1:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 2:00pm: Kid’s Seed Art Craft Demonstrations
- 3:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show – San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden Demonstrations
- 4:00pm: The Krush 92.5: Cork Dorks Live
- 5:00pm: Wine Industry Awards & Gold Medal Tasting – Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 6:00pm: Draft Horse Demonstrations with Harris Stage Lines
- 6:30pm: Public Contest – Trivia
- 7:00pm: Bear Market Riot – Music
- 7:30pm: Big & Rich with special guest Callie Twisselman
- 8:00pm: High Voltage (AC/DC tribute) – Music
Saturday, July 24th
- 8:00am: Country Rodeo presented by Hearst
- 12:00pm: Carnival, Exhibits, Food, Drink, & Shopping Open – Hearst Castle Activities – SLO County Parks & Rec Exhibit – Rich Smucker: Through The Knot Wood Art Demonstrations – Lorikeet Encounter Interactive Exhibit
- 1:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show – Dummy Roping – Kim Wakatsuki: Critique and Floral Design Demonstration
- 2:00pm: 4-H Dog Show – Country Rodeo presented by Hearst
- 3:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show – African Violet Society: Care & Propagation Demonstrations
- 4:00pm: The Krush 92.5: Cork Dorks Live
- 5:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 6:30pm: Public Contest – Cupcake Challenge
- 7:00pm: Country Rodeo presented by Hearst (Finals) – Wild The Coyote (Music)
- 8:00pm: Blue Oyster Cult
Sunday, July 25th
- 9:00am: Country Rodeo presented by Hearst – Stick Horse Racing
- 12:00pm: Carnival, Exhibits, Food, Drink & Shopping Open – SLO County Parks & Rec Exhibit – Hearst Castle Activities – Lorikeet Encounter Interactive Exhibit
- 1:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 2:00pm: Musical Petting Zoo – Cake Decorating Demonstration
- 3:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 3:30pm: Get Crafty Mixology Contest
- 4:00pm: The Krush 92.5: Cork Dorks Live
- 5:00pm: Get Crafty Mixology Tasting (Ticketed Event) – Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 6:00pm: Draft Horse Demonstrations with Harris Stage Lines
- 6:30pm: Public Contest (Classic Games)
- 7:00pm: The Taproots (Music)
- 8:00pm: Sound Investment (Music)
Monday, July 26th
- 1:30pm: Breeding Sheep Show
- 4:00pm: Carnival, Exhibits, Food, Drink, & Shopping Open – The Krush 92.5: Cork Dorks Live – SLO County Parks & Rec Exhibit – Hearst Castle Activities – Lorikeet Encounter Interactive Exhibit
- 5:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show – ABC Crochet Club Demonstrations
- 6:00pm: Draft Horse Demonstrations with Harris Stage Lines – Garden Trivia Night Activity
- 6:30pm: Public Contest (Cup Stacking)
- 7:00pm: Hilary Watson (Music)
- 8:00pm: Truth About Seafood (Music)
Tuesday, July 27th
- 8:00am: Market Hog Show – Meat Goat Show – Market Sheep Show
- 3:30pm: Market Beef Show
- 4:00pm: Carnival, Exhibits, Food, Drink, & Shopping Open – The Krush 92.5: Cork Dorks Live – SLO County Parks & Rec Exhibit – Hearst Castle Activities – Lorikeet Encounter Interactive Exhibit
- 5:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show – ABC Crochet Club Demonstrations
- 6:00pm: Draft Horse Demonstrations with Harris Stage Lines
- 6:30pm: Public Contest (Bingo)
- 7:00pm: Kenny Taylor (Music)
- 8:00pm: Kenny Lee Lewis & The Frenz (Music)
Wednesday, July 28th
- 10:00am: Breeding Beef Show
- 1:30pm: Ladies and Lads Lead/Costume Contest
- 4:00pm: Carnival, Exhibits, Food, Drink, & Shopping Open – The Krush 92.5: Cork Dorks Live – Hearst Castle Activities – SLO County Parks & Rec Exhibit – UC Master Preservers Program: Food Safety Demonstrations – Lorikeet Encounter Interactive Exhibit
- 4:30pm: Judge’s Critique
- 5:00pm: Replacement Heifer Show – Pacific Animal Productions Show – J&L Simple Bead Jewelry Demonstrations
- 6:00pm: Draft Horse Demonstrations with Harris Stage Lines
- 6:30pm: Public Contest (Junior Fashion Show)
- 7:00pm Turkey Buzzards (Music)
- 7:30pm: Uncle Kracker (FREE with paid Fair admission)
- 8:00pm: Joe & Martina (Music)
Thursday, July 29th
- 8:00am: Swine Showmanship
- 8:30am: Meet Goat Showmanship – Market Sheep Showmanship
- 3:30pm: Beef Showmanship
- 4:00pm: Carnival, Exhibits, Food, Drink & Shopping Open – The Krush 92.5: Cork Dorks Live – SLO County Parks & Rec Exhibit – Lorikeet Encounter Interactive Exhibit
- 4:30pm: Becky Zelinski of B’z Kneez Farm: Gardening Tips – Hearst Castle Activities – CC Weavers & Spinners Demonstrations – Paper Crafter Demonstrations
- 5:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 6:00pm: Draft Horse Demonstrations with Harris Stage Lines
- 6:30pm: Public Contest (Apple Pie Contest)
- 7:00pm: Erin & The Earthquakes (Music)
- 7:30pm: Pancho Barraza with special guest Cuisillos
- 8:00pm: A Thousand Horses (Music)
Friday, July 30th
- 10:00am: Livestock Judging Contest
- 12:00pm: Carnival, Exhibits, Food, Drink & Shopping Open – Alzheimer’s Association: Free Resources for Dementia – Hearst Castle Activities – SLO County Parks & Rec Exhibit – Bishops Peak Embroidery Guild Demonstrations – Lorikeet Encounter Interactive Exhibit
- 1:00pm: Cow Dog Trials – Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 3:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show – Suzie Heckman: Fair Time Flower Demonstration
- 4:00pm: The Krush 92.5: Cork Dorks Live
- 5:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 5:30pm: Replacement Heifer Sale
- 6:00pm: Draft Horse Demonstrations with Harris Stage Lines
- 6:30pm: Public Contest (Domino Stem Challenge)
- 7:00pm: Shawn Clark (Music)
- 7:30pm: Little Big Town with special guest Madi Diaz
- 8:00pm: Yellow House Orchestra (Music)
Saturday, July 31st
- 8:00am: Junior Livestock Auction
- 8:30am: RSNC Sorting
- 12:00pm: Carnival, Exhibits, Food, Drink & Shopping Open – Hearst Castle Activities – SLO County Parks & Rec Exhibit – Rich Smucker: Through The Knot Wood Art Demonstrations – Lorikeet Encounter Interactive Exhibit
- 12:30pm: Sale of Champions
- 1:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 3:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 4:00pm: The Krush 92.5: Cork Dorks Live
- 5:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 6:00pm: Draft Horse Demonstrations with Harris Stage Lines
- 6:30pm: Public Contest (To be Announced)
- 7:00pm: Noach Tangeras (Music)
- 8:00pm: Journey USA (Journey Tribute – Music)
Sunday, August 1st
- 8:30am: RSNC Sorting
- 9:00am: Pee Wee Showmanship
- 10:30am: Round Robin Showmanship
- 12:00pm: Carnival, Exhibits, Food, Drink & Shopping Open – SLO County Parks & Rec Exhibit – Hearst Castle Activities – Lorikeet Encounter Interactive Exhibit
- 1:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 2:00pm: Cake Decorating Demonstration
- 3:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 4:00pm: The Krush 92.5: Cork Dorks Live
- 5:00pm: Pacific Animal Productions Show
- 6:00pm: Draft Horse Demonstrations with Harris Stage Lines
- 6:30pm: Public Contest (Best Local Salsa)
- 7:00pm: Kenny Taylor (Music)
- 7:30pm: Jason Derulo with special guest DJ
- 8:00pm: Dante Marsh & The Vibe Setters (Music)
*Schedule of Events provided by the California Mid-State Fair website*
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