The California State Fair is held each summer at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento, California. According to estimates, the event brings in $250 million to the surrounding region. The fair is sponsored by the California Exposition & State Fair, an agency supervised by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.http://www.bigfun.org/fair-information.php

The first California State Fair was held in 1854 in San Francisco. It permanently moved to Sacramento in 1859. The primary exhibits during the early festivities were agricultural, such as vegetable growing contests and horse exhibitions. By the 1950s, carnival rides had been introduced and celebrities, including Jack Benny, Bob Hope and Duke Ellington, began appearing at the fair.http://www.bigfun.org/pdf/fairHistory.pdf

The 2010 California State Fair was held from July 14 through August 1, 2010. Ticket prices were $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 5 to 12 and $10 for seniors over the age of 62. Children 4 and under were admitted for free. All-day wristbands were also available that allowed unlimited rides on midway attractions. These wristbands cost $30 during the week and $35 on weekends. Parking was $10 a day for cars and $5 a day for motorcycles.http://www.bigfun.org/buy-tickets.php#regularTickets

Along with the traditional fair attractions, the California State Fair also had a concert lineup for most nights of the event. The schedule was as follows:

• July 14 - The Fab Four
• July 15 - Slaughter
• July 16 - All Star Weekend
• July 17 - The Family Stone
• July 19 - Little Big Town
• July 20 - Thirstbusters
• July 21 - Rick Springfield
• July 22 - Howie Mandel
• July 23 - Martina McBride
• July 26 - Lonestar
• July 27 - Village People
• July 28 - Eddie Money
• July 29 - Paul Rodriguez
• July 30 - Foghat
• August 1 - Weird Al Yankovichttp://www.bigfun.org/concerts.php

General admission to the concerts was included with fair admission tickets. Preferred seating tickets ranged from $10 to $49, depending on the concert.http://www.bigfun.org/concerts.php

The fair was open from 12 noon to 10 pm Monday through Thursday and from 10 am to 10 pm Friday through Sunday.http://www.bigfun.org/fair-information.php Various attractions, events and exhibits were showcased at the fair, including the Children's Dairy Center, the Pony Express Adventure, live horse racing, fireworks, puppet shows, jugglers, book signings by notable authors, petting zoos, exotic animal exhibits and art exhibits.http://apps.calexpo.com/fair/FairEvents/Calendar.asp?date=7/14/2010&View=ONEDAY