Beat the heat at the California State Fair with cool zones, water ride
The California State Fair opens today, ready to provide fair-goers with not just a fun, but also a safe experience during Sacramento’s hot summer.
Beginning in 2027, the State Fair’s traditional mid-summer dates will move to the fall in order to protect fair goers from the intense heat.
“This is the last summer fair,” said Alex Alcantar, Director of Marketing and Business Development for Cal Expo.
The fair will see temperatures in the 90s for its first weekend, cooler than what the rest of the week has brought, it’s important for fair goers to take the proper precautions in order to protect themselves from the heat.
Jessica Barlow, Kaiser Permanente doctor of Emergency Medicine, provided the Sacramento Bee with the best ways to keep cool at the fair and tips to avoid heat exhaustion.
“It gets hot, and it gets hot quickly,” said Barlow. “Heat injuries are a spectrum of injuries. So they start early with some signs of dehydration, so dry mouth. You can get some muscle cramping, and they can progress to very serious injuries. So it’s important to catch these early.”
Here’s what to know:
What are the signs of heat exhaustion? Heat stroke?
Heat exhaustion is a condition that results from your body overheating. It is a heat illness caused by exposure to high temperatures and strenuous physical activity. If not treated, heat exhaustion can result in heatstroke.
When a person is experiencing heatstroke their body’s internal temperature rises to 104 F or higher, according to the Mayo Clinic. If not properly treated, heatstroke can quickly damage the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles.
“Heat stroke is a really life-threatening illness that you want to make sure you don’t get to those points. You could lose consciousness. All sorts of things that can be really life-threatening for you,” said Barlow.
Children and older adults are at most risk of having a heat related illness, according to Barlow. Children in particular are unfamiliar with the signs of heat illness and require guardians to be diligent of their temperatures and hydration needs.
Signs of heat exhaustion:
- Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat.
- Heavy sweating.
- Faintness.
- Dizziness.
- Fatigue.
- Weak, rapid pulse.
- Low blood pressure upon standing.
- Muscle cramps.
- Nausea.
- Headache.
Signs of heatstroke:
- High body temperature
- Change in mental state or behavior
- Change in sweating pattern
- Nausea and vomiting
- Flushed skin
- Rapid breathing
- Racing heart rate
- Headache
Where can I cool off at the California State Fair?
According to Barlow, the state fair has established several cooling spots that provide shade, fanned air and sunscreen to attendees. The fair has seven Cool Zones sponsored by Kaiser Permanente that can be found throughout the fair grounds. There are other cooling spots as well as seven water misters on the fair grounds.
The fair also offers the White Water Flume Ride as part of its attractions. Roller coaster cars fashioned to resemble logs hold passengers who splash down at the bottom of the ride’s water slide.
What can I do to prevent heat exhaustion?
In order to prevent heat exhaustion, people should come prepared with water bottles, light and airy clothing and take plenty of breaks between activities, according to Barlow.
People going to the fair are reminded to wear plenty of sunscreen and stay hydrated. It’s also important to watch for signs of heat illness in themselves and loved ones and react to the warning signs right away. Barlow said these precautions are in place to ensure that attendees can safely experience all that the fair has to offer.
“Have fun, enjoy the venue, but make sure that you take those breaks. There’s plenty to do, plenty to see, but to make those stops along the way, it’s really wonderful.”
