California State Fair's return to Sacramento's Cal Expo

The articles all focus on the annual California State Fair returning to Sacramento. They explore concert lineups, money-saving tips, the diverse food offerings, and changes in traditional events.

Recent announcements highlight that En Vogue will headline the closing night concert, providing a key musical attraction along with other acts like Ludacris and Bret Michaels. To save money, fairgoers can take advantage of various discounts such as free admission on certain days in exchange for food donations, emphasizing cost-cutting strategies. New food items debut at the fair, including exotic options like Dubai chocolate cups and Spam fries, appealing to diverse culinary preferences. The absence of horse racing marks a shift in traditional fair activities, as officials adapt to industry changes by redirecting focus away from this longstanding feature.

NO. 1: MONK’S CELLAR, JACKRABBIT BREWING CO. WIN STATE FAIR CRAFT BEER COMPETITION

Award-winning breweries will take center stage at the 2025 Best of California Brewfest, set for 3 to 7 p.m. July 12 at Cal Expo. | Published June 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marcus D. Smith

Singer Ashanti performs at the Golden 1 Stage inside the California State Fair on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Sacramento as part of the Toyota Concert Series. The series continues with Gin Blossoms on Friday and Kool & The Gang on Saturday night. By Kevin Neri

NO. 2: CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR ANNOUNCES CLOSING NIGHT CONCERT FOR 2025. WHO’S PLAYING?

The “iconic” R&B group will perform as part of the Toyota Concert Series. | Published April 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sarah Linn

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The Turbo amusement ride spins in the evening at the State Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 in Sacramento. By Paul Kitagaki Jr.

NO. 3: CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR ON A BUDGET: HOW TO SAVE ON TICKETS AND RIDES

Roll up, roll up! The smartest ways to snag discounts and ride more for less this summer. | Published June 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado

A sourdough loaf sit on display during the California State Fair preview in Sacramento on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. By DANIEL HEUER

NO. 4: NEW TO EAT AT STATE FAIR: DUBAI CHOCOLATE, SPAM FRIES, CALIFORNIA FLATBREAD

The viral TikTok trend is now available at the State fair with strawberries lathered in rich chocolate, pistachio cream and topped with sweet, thinly shredded knafeh pastry strands. | Published July 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kat Tran Irene Milanez

Thai street fries are available from Golden Fry House at the California State Fair on Friday, July 11, 2025 in Sacramento. The french fries are fried in beef tallow and topped with spicy peanut sauce, cilantro and pickled Fresno chiles. By IRENE ADELINE MILANEZ

NO. 5: FEASTS AND TREATS: THE SAC BEE’S INTERNS TRY NEW FOODS AT THE CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR

Looking for new fair foods at the California State Fair? See what The Sac Bee’s interns tried. | Published July 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kat Tran

Fair-goers dropped off their nonperishable donation items in exchange for a free, same-day admissions ticket at the 2022 California State Fair.

NO. 6: HERE’S HOW YOU CAN GET INTO THE CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR FOR FREE

Want a free State Fair ticket? Giving Friday is back. | Published July 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rebecca-Ann Jattan

Harness driver Tyler Smith, riding No. 5 Emery Vern, moves past David Siegel, riding Hoosier Bogo, on Jan. 17, 2014, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. By José Luis Villegas

NO. 7: CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR NIXES HARNESS RACING AT CAL EXPO

Live horse racing has taken place at the State Fair since 1854. | Published April 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jake Goodrick

Number 5, Bombay All Day, and No. 4, Morton Glory race towards the finish line during a horse race for 3-year-old thoroughbreds at the California State Fair on July 13, 2019. Bombay All Day won the race after Morton Glory was disqualified. By Autumn Payne

NO. 8: REVAMPING THE STATE FAIRGROUNDS IS NO HORSE PLAY FOR CAL EXPO. WHAT’S NEXT? | OPINION

Horse facilities take up more than a quarter of the fairground’s footprint. An insular board is going to need partnerships to revamp these lands, writes opinion columnist Tom Philp. | Published May 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tom Philp

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.