The 2019 California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles is off to a great start with sold-out concerts and new activities for the whole family to enjoy.
While the fair will continue to be open for the next week, there are plenty more vendors and demonstrations to check out before the fun ends.
KSBY has a breakdown of some of the cool exhibits and hands-on experiences you can find at the Mid-State Fair:
Camp Rattlesnake
The Mid-State Fair started the unique experience of Camp Rattlesnake to let visitors come face-to-face with reptile and amphibian species living here locally and around the world.
The exhibit is hosted by Brad’s World Reptiles, which puts on a demonstration throughout various parts of the day to teach attendees about each of the animals displayed and what their roles are in the ecosystem.
People can see, learn and even touch some of the animals in the exhibit, including alligators, snakes and birds. There is even an area where visitors can take pictures with the animals for a fee.
It is located over near the farming facilities.
The Chill Zone Ice Bar
Another new attraction at the Mid-State Fair is the Chill Zone Ice Bar, located on the southside of the fairgrounds.
The ice saloon features a bar with an eight-ton ice cube built as a contest for attendees to guess how long it will take for the cube to melt. Due to the warm temperatures, the ice block already collapsed and fair officials are looking into building a replacement to last through the final week of the fair.
The winner of the ice melting competition could win $500.
The bar is also one of the few places around the fairgrounds to check out while cooling down from the summer heat.
Zoo to You
Zoo to You has been a big attraction for children at the fair this year.
The program teaches kids about wildlife conservation through presentations with live animals and storytelling. Their demonstrations feature several animals, including an alligator, a porcupine, kangaroo and many more wild animals.
Zoo to You hosts presentations every day at 3 and 5 p.m.
Pig Races
Stands are packing up daily for the Great American Speedway Pig Races.
Little pigs have been racing at the fair for more than a decade. Fair organizers say they bring the races back every year to give people who don’t often interact with animals a chance to see them up close and cheer them on for the events.
People in the crowd are given flags to wave and root for their favorite pig in the lineup to win the race.
Representatives from the Great American Speedway Pig Races say the pigs they take care of are very smart. They say they love to compete for treats and hear visitors cheer for them.
The pig races are held daily at 1, 2:30, 3, 5 and 7 p.m.
Other activities
98.1 KJUG Barn Dance: After the nightly concerts, country radio station KJUG 98.1 hosts its barn dance at the Headliner Stage. Visitors are encouraged to come listen to country music played by one of the station’s DJs and do a little bit of line-dancing.
80’s DJ/Karaoke: If singing is more your style, there is an 80’s DJ/Karaoke session over in on Island Stage at the Quad. It is hosted nightly at 9 p.m.
Butter Making: Dairy farmers give tutorials about how to make butter at Rancho Frontier, with demonstrations at 3 and 6 p.m.
Cow Milking and Calf Feeding: People can come learn the proper way to milk a cow and how to feed a calf from farm experts during these daily demonstrations. They happen twice a day at 12:30 and 5:30 p.m.
Ticketed concerts: Nearly every night of the Mid-State Fair features a ticketed show from a major artist on the Chumash Grandstand Arena stage. The tickets vary in price and are available online or at the box office outside of the fairgrounds. The acts slated to perform for the rest of the fair include Why Don’t We, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Zac Brown Band, Old Dominion and Smokey Robinson.
Free concerts: There are also several free shows on the Frontier Stage located near the carnival section of the fairgrounds. The artists slated to perform have shows at 6:30 and 8:30 and are free with your paid fair admission. The musical acts set to play for the rest of the week include Danny Gokey, Mason Ramsey, BERLIN featuring Terri Nunn, Thompson Square, Elton the Early Years, The Wild Feathers and Luis Coronel.
Country Rodeo Finals: The Country Rodeo Finals at this year’s Mid-State Fair will bring together the best performances from the top cowboys and cowgirls across the country on Saturday, July 27. The championship night features events such as Barrel Racing, Ranch Rope and Branding, Mixed Ribbon Roping, Match Roping and Double Mugging. There will also mutton bustin’ and bull poker. Adult tickets start at $20.
Monster Trucks with Bikes and Bulls: The Chumash Grandstand Arena will be converted from a concert venue to a monster truck park as fans pack the stands to witness tricks and extreme stunts at the Monster Trucks with Bikes and Bulls event. There will even be a few motocross events throughout the evening, expected to bring thrills to the entire crowd. Adult tickets start at $20.
Carnival rides and games: Carnival rides and games are open to all who attend the fair starting at noon daily. There are several fair favorites, including the Zipper, the Ferris Wheel and a Minions-inspired funhouse. Visitors must purchase ride tickets before entering.
The 2019 California Mid-State Fair is open from noon to midnight daily. It continues through Sunday, July 28. Adult admission costs $14 and child admission costs $10.
