It’s the biggest party in the state! From August 20 through Labor Day, the California State Fair takes place at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento.

Thrill rides along the midway will keep the kids busy, but the State Fair, like most fairs throughout the United States, has strong agricultural roots. They started as ways to showcase a region’s best agricultural products.

On tap this summer at the State Fair will be special events celebrating California’s 150^th anniversary of statehood. In addition, fun-filled activities with a strong ag twist will be plentiful—from racing pigs, to horseracing, bobbing for apples, and cornhusking contests.

A 3 1/2-acre working farm will showcase more than 80 different California crops, including pumpkins, pomegranates, kiwi, cotton, green apples, and grapes. Restored antique tractors and a blacksmith’s shop are also part of the farm.

Since 1860, when California’s first fair took place in San Joaquin County, competitions for the fastest horse, the strongest breeding stock, the best jams, jellies, and baked goods have been the most important events. While these contests still exist, progress has rendered others obsolete. "The best tub of lard was a common contest at many fairs," says Stephen Chambers, Executive Director of the Western Fairs Association. "That’s when lard was much more of a household product than it is today."

He adds that many commercial products competed at fairs. Awards were handed out for the best ice cream and the best commercially produced milk. While many of those competitions no longer exist, products we see today that have a "gold medal" or "blue ribbon" on the label probably come from an early fair contest. In fact, when you spot a "gold medal" sticker on your favorite vintage, it could very well have won the prestigious "wine competition" at the State Fair.

The littlest fairgoers will be intrigued by the UC Davis animal nursery, a "maternity ward" for large farm animals. Hit it on the right days and you may see a calf, piglet, or lamb being born.

The State Fair is just one of many fairs taking place throughout our state this summer and fall. From the huge garlic festival in Gilroy, to an offbeat celebration of eggplant, they share something in common: they put us in touch with our agrarian heritage.

If you find yourself at the State Fair this summer, you’ll find us there as well in the Ag Fair Building. We’ll be giving out souvenirs and program information. We’d really like to meet you, so stop by and see us!

For additional information about fairs throughout the western United States, go to www.fairsnet.org.

And be on the lookout later this year for the Year 2000 California Heartland "Fairs and Festivals" calendar, an updated version of our immensely popular 1999 edition. Go back to the California Heartland home page at www.californiaheartland.org to reserve your copy now!

If you have questions or comments or a story idea for us, contact Executive Producer Corita Gravitt at corita.gravitt@mailexcite.com.