The California State Fair & Food Festival opens on Friday, after two years of pandemic closure.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State Fair & Food Festival opens Friday, after two years of pandemic closure.
Officials expect to see more than 80,000 people this year to set records.
The theme for the California State Fair & Food Festival this year is “Back Together”.
A sentiment that rings true, especially after the pandemic.
For Toytopia exhibit creator Troy Carlson, reopening means coming home.
“Being a Sacramento business, the pandemic has been really tough, especially in the exhibits business with museum closings and things starting to reopen and we’re so excited to be back at the state fair of California, which is actually where we started our exhibit company in 2005,” Carlson said.
For other shows, like California Cannabis, it took the cannabis industry three years to make it the state fair. Brian Applegarth, the owner, said he and the fair have had many conversations about education and when to present this exhibit.
“It means inclusion and celebration and being recognized and having a seat at the table with wine, craft beers, cheese and olive oil. So it’s a celebration of the California industry today,” Applegarth said.
From new exhibitions to new rules Director of Media, Darla Givens, explains some new policies.
“We have a clear bag policy in place, it speeds up check-in, you hold the bag at security, they can see what’s in it and it speeds up the queue,” Givens said.
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Medical bags and diaper bags are the exception, but they must go through a security check. The fair partners with several agencies, including the Sacramento County Sheriff for Safety.
“We have over 200 cameras that are strategically placed across the fairgrounds and they’re constantly monitoring,” Givens said.
For those wary of COVID-19, there are handwashing stations, hand sanitizer, and optional masks, but not ones that cover your face.
Also new this year, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, customers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult over 21 after 6 p.m. ID must be provided.
