Worth the Drive: California State Fair

Worth the Drive is NBCLA's twice weekly look at nearby getaways

Your job: Decide to get out of town and fast. Our job: Help you find where you're headed. This week, NBCLA's Worth the Drive takes us to...

California State Fair: You've heard of it, yes? A massive, come-one-come-all animal-and-ride-and-music-filled event that's been happening in our state capital since the 1800s? Well, maybe the whirly coasters weren't running back in the 19th century. But bet some prized heifers were on parade. Some home brews, too, we imagine.

Location: Sacramento

2010 dates: July 14-August 1

Fair collecting: Some people go to county and state fairs with the hopes of stocking up on various plush prizes. Or those etched mirrors with the roses. Love those. Us? And possibly you? We collect fairs. That's easy to do 'round these parts, seeing as how we have five fine county fairs within a two-to-three-hour drive. Wait. Six. Half a dozen. Lucky us.

And our point is this: Those county fairs are enormous. LA? OC? Huge. So bet the Golden State's grand fair will be a big'un. Really heifer'd- and whirly-coaster'd-out.

This year: Rick Springfield, Paul Rodriguez, "Weird Al" Yankovic, a karaoke championship, lawn mower racing, and a whole passel of wine and beer contests are just a few of the highlights.

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