Mid-State Fair brings music, rides and more back to Paso Robles. Here’s your guide
Are you ready to shake, rattle and roll at the California Mid-State Fair?
That’s the vintage Las Vegas theme of this year’s 77th edition, which returns to Paso Robles for 12 days starting Wednesday, packed with family fun including concerts, activities and attractions.
This year’s fair runs from July 19 to July 30, and in a kick-off bonus, carnival rides will be free for all on opening day.
The fairgrounds will be open from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 12 midnight Friday through Sunday.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Enjoy a variety of live music
As always, live music remains a centerpiece of the fair, which will host a variety of musical acts, both paid and free. Tickets for the main-stage events are not included with the cost of general admission to the fair, while the free stages are.
This year’s grandstand stage headliners include artists such as Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Pitbull, Nelly, Sammy Hagar, Styx and the B-52s. Tickets for the main stage acts range from $30 to $175 and can be purchased online ahead of the show.
Tickets to see Luke Bryan are already sold out.
“We pretty much knew when we booked him that the concert would sell out,” Colleen Bojorquez, CEO of the Mid-State Fair, said of the venue that seats nearly 14,000 people.
For an additional cost, concertgoers can purchase tickets to the hospitality tent, which comes with amenities such as access to private restrooms, air conditioning, WiFi, complimentary food and a private bar. Ticket costs range from $50 to $75 for main-stage acts.
The 805 Frontier Stage will feature several free concerts including artists such as Ned LeDoux, Scott McCreery, A Flock of Seagulls, Ben Haggard, and Tyler Rich. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additionally, the Mission Square Stage will host a variety of concerts including groups such as ShopRock, The Molly Ringwald Project, The Incrementals and Way Out West.
Every night from 8:30 to midnight, Fiesta de Baile will feature a live DJ playing hits in Spanish and English.
“The Fiesta de Baile was new to the fair last year and was a big success,” Bojorquez said.
Carnival rides, games and shops
Beyond the concerts, his year’s Mid-State Fair will offer no shortage of fun-filled activities for kids and adults.
The carnival will include over 20 rides, a variety of games and a special kids section for young fair-goers.
Bojorquez said that multiple crowd-favorite rides that have not been at the fair for over eight years will be returning this year, such as the Spinning Coaster and the Medusa ride.
Tickets for the carnival rides are not included with the cost of admission. All-inclusive ride wristbands are sold exclusively online, however, tickets for individual rides will be available for purchase at the fair. Tickets for games will be sold separately at the fair.
All inclusive wristbands are currently available for pre-sale and cost $35.
Other activities ranging from pedal tractor races to free train rides will be spread across the fairgrounds at various points throughout the day.
“Barnyard racers are returning this year and will include pig, goat and turkey races,” Bojorquez said. The Barnyard Racers will be located at the south end of the fairgrounds.
Additionally, local 4-H and FFA kids will be out in force throughout the fair to show and sell their animals and livestock.
“Our exhibitors have been working hard all year to make sure you have market-ready animals,” Bojorquez said
Fair-goers can also watch a variety of demonstrations including craft-making and apple-pie making.
For those looking to do some shopping, the Mission Market Place will be home to a number of local artisans, growers and producers showcasing their work at the Mid-State Fair this year.
Hambly Farms, a local lavender farm, as well as Kern River Leather, a custom leather goods store, will be among the vendors this year.
Other local artisans will include Windows to Waves, Ben’s Automotive Decor and Olea Farm.
Vendors that are new to the fair this year include Groves on 41, Cayucos Collective, Junk Girls and Yes Cocktail Co.
What to eat and drink at the fair
Along with a variety of vendors, this year’s Mid-State Fair will include a number of specialty food and drink events, including wine tasting and a mixology class.
The fair will feature classic food options such as cheese curds, as well as doughnut burgers, which are new to the fair this year, Bojorquez said.
On July 23 local mixologists, restaurants and bars will compete in a cocktail-making competition. The live event will be followed by a two-hour tasting.
Tickets for that event are currently available for $30 online and include unlimited cocktail tasting.
Adults can also taste a variety of award-winning, local wines at the Mission Square Stage on July 21. The event is free to attend, but tickets for the walk-around tasting are available for sale online for $30.
The 28th annual free pancake breakfast will take place from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Paso Robles Downtown City Park on July 27.
While the pancake breakfast is free, visitors must pickup tickets from downtown merchants the day of the breakfast.
How to save on tickets
Discounted admission tickets are currently on pre-sale and can be purchased online or for an even further reduced price at local Farm Supply stores in Arroyo Grande, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. Discounted ticket prices are available through Tuesday.
Season passes and daily admission tickets are available.
Online, pre-sale daily admission tickets cost $13 for adults aged 13 to 61, $11 for seniors aged 62 or above and $9 for children aged 6 to 12. Admission is free for children under the age of 5. Pre-sale adult tickets sold at Farm Supply are only $11.50.
Tickets can also be purchased at the gate at an increased price, starting at $15 for adults.
This year, the Mid-State Fair will offer special ticket promotions for seniors, kids and veterans.
On July 21 seniors over the age of 62 can purchase tickets for half off the daily admission price.
On July 28 kids under the age of 12 get in free.
On July 29 veterans, active or retired, receive free admission with a valid military ID.
Parking will be limited
Parking will be extremely limited at the fair, which recommends that visitors consider using public transit as an alternative.
For those who drive themselves, paid parking will be available for $20 per vehicle located across from the Fairgrounds Main Entrance on Riverside Avenue.
“Free street parking will be available surrounding the fairgrounds and on Spring Street, which is only two blocks from the fairgrounds,” Bojorquez said.
Additionally, a free shuttle service is returning to the fair this year.
“The shuttle will run throughout Paso Robles and will stop at multiple pick-up locations including Lowe’s, City Hall and the Albertsons bus stop,” Bojorquez said.
The Paso Robles shuttle service will start at 4 p.m. daily and will continue until the fair closes.
Preparing for the heat
As temperatures are on the rise in SLO County, fair-goers should plan to check the weather ahead of their visit.
The forecast calls for temperatures in the low 90s on opening day.
“Fair time is always hot. Once it starts getting hot, people start thinking about the fair,” Bojorquez said.
Visitors are allowed to bring two water bottles in to the fair, but two hydration stations will also be available for use, Bojorquez said.
