Here’s how you can get into the California State Fair for free
If you were planning to head to the California State Fair starting this weekend, you can get in for free with a donation to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s Giving Friday.
A contribution of five nonperishable, non-expired food items per person, will earn a free, same-day admissions ticket to the State Fair. SMUD’s Giving Friday at the Fair will take place Friday and July 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Friday. Fair-goers can find SMUD at the Main, Blue or Green entry gates. Tickets must be used by 3 p.m. that day.
The fair runs from July 11- 27 at the Cal Expo Center, 1600 Exposition Blvd.
Potential donation items include canned foods, dry pasta, rice, oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, cereals, soups, stews and peanut butter. High protein items are highly requested.
SMUD partnered with the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services for this year’s Giving Friday. The Sacramento Food Bank serves more than 320,000 people in the region monthly, with more than 200 neighborhood distribution sites throughout the county.
“Giving Friday represents the heart of what SMUD stands for — being there for our community, especially those facing food insecurity,” Farres Everly, SMUD’s chief marketing and communications officer, said in a release. “With rising costs impacting so many families, this partnership creates a simple but powerful way for neighbors to help neighbors while enjoying everything the State Fair has to offer.”
Nineteen thousand pounds of food items were collected at the fair and donated to the Elk Grove Food Bank from last year’s initiative. Previous efforts involved school supply collection and personal hygiene donations for different local nonprofits.
Swag bags with souvenir surprises, induction cooking demos and energy-saving tips will also be available at all SMUD booths.
There is another opportunity to grab a free admissions ticket on July 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Arden Fair Mall. SMUD will host an EV Ride and Drive event, where participants can earn a free State Fair ticket in exchange for test driving an electric vehicle. The admissions tickets from this event will be valid for any of the remaining fair days.
