The California State Fair: a Great Way to Enjoy a Family Outing

With the California State Fair Opening, we thought you might like a little bit of history on the Fair and how it came to be held in Sacramento.

The California State Fair is a great way to enjoy a family outing and see the history of our Golden State.  

The First California State Fair was held, starting on October 4, 1854. It was held in San Francisco at the Music Hall on Bush Street, close to Montgomery Street.   

Sacramento hosted it the following year, in 1855. It was then moved to San Jose in 1856, then Stockton in 1857 and Marysville in 1858.   An exhibit hall was built at Sixth and M Streets in Sacramento for the fair to return in both 1859 and 1860 and then Sacramento was finally given the official, permanent residence to host the State Fair.   

From 1942 – 1947, the fair was not held due to military reasons.  It resumed again in 1948. 

Then in 1968, the State Fair permanently moved to its current location in the center of the City of Sacramento to the California Exposition (aka: Cal Expo) at 1600 Exposition Boulevard.

We did have a U.S. President visit the fair in 1880.  Any guess on who? It was Rutherford B. Hayes.  

If you plan on attending the state fair this year, be sure to think about the history behind it as you are enjoying your favorite fair food and/or exhibits/rides.  Also remember your sunblock and to stay hydrated and most importantly, have fun and create new memories!