Tag: State Fair

Fair Food Preview

Click here for more picsRunnergirl, Stickie, and I got a chance to peek around at all the food vendors last night at Cal Expo.  We came away with a few deep-fried nuggets of information that we just have to share.

1.  GELATO-That’s right.  The EYE-talian delicacy makes its way to the food midway.  Trust me you can’t miss it.  Even if the place didn’t offer the “World’s Largest Waffle Cones,” you’d never walk by without noting the flesh colored columns.

2.  NEW DEEP-FRIED TREATS- Chicken Charlie, that fried food innovator has outdone himself this time.  Going back to his roots, especially the concept of deep frying things that started out as totally fattening meals to begin with, Chuck has a new lineup of fried fare for the fair.  New this year are deep-fried White Castle burgers, deep-fried pop tarts, and deep-fried Spam with pineapple sauce.  

3.  BBQ BEEF SANDWICH- It’s still in the same place, on the eastern end of the fairgrounds, across from the petting zoo, on the way to the horse races.  It’s unassuming, with the word “SAUSAGE” most prominently lit on the sign, but trust me, you need to go and get a BBQ beef sandwich on a lard roll with homemade chips this year.  I’m not suggesting, I’m commanding.

State Fair Opens Friday

poppyIf there is one thing you can count on, it is the presence of your old pal Stickie at the California State Fair. I’ll try to keep you updated about cool stuff, but I urge you to check the daily schedule at their website to keep abreast of the hundreds of events.

Wednesday at midnight is the last day to buy discount tickets, including the $36 adult season pass. This weekend features Smashmouth (who have apparently moved to Stockton and have quietly been playing with local acts when not on tour), The Doodlebops (who I find to be a creepy Canadian offspring of The Wiggles and GWAR, but kids seem to dig them) and the fantastic Weird Al, who very amusingly got blamed by local morons for attracting some unsavory elements to last year’s closing weekend because he is a rapper.

Thank You Note to the Sacramento Bee

ScoopyHere at the ‘Rag, we are quick to take shots at the Bee, but sometimes slow to give credit where credit is due.  So please allow me to take this opportunity to thank the Bee.  For what, you ask?  For having the good taste to pick my name in their drawing for free “Gold Circle” tickets to the Weird Al show.  That’s right, Mrs. Eats and I were right up front for the glory that is Weird Al Yankovic.  Thank you to Scoopy and all the folks at the number one news source in Sacramento.

The concert was, to put it mildly, badass.  Weird Al went for almost 2 1/2 hours, covering recent hits, old favorites and everything in between.  Sitting next to us were two kids, neither more than 9 years old, who told us that this was their first rock concert.  The Mrs. and I were very excited to explain to the kids how things work, like the fact that “rock” concerts don’t always start on time.  Thirty years from now, these men will be talking about how their first concert ever was Weird Al, and I hope they think fondly of “super cool” old people that sat next to them and showed them the ropes.

By the way, we managed to get out of the fair mere minutes before they broke out the riot gear.  Thanks Bee.

Watcha’ Doing This Weekend?

In our ever-diligent pursuit to keep you well informed about the stuff that we, The Sac Rag board of directors, are planning to do with our down time, and consequently what you, The Sac Rag Readers, should think about doing with your down time since we, The Sac Rag board of directors, are screwed in to the local scene like a CFL bulb (since we respect a flex alert too), we bring you another edition of “Watcha’ Doing This Weekend?” In this edition we talk about college football, comedy, outdoor sports, the parting of a local celebrity, and cheese. Continue reading “Watcha’ Doing This Weekend?”

California State Fair 2007 – Closing Week

This year, the Fair was a week shorter, so it was harder to cram in every ounce of fun that I usually derive from my season pass. The last week always brings out the heavy hitters on the Golden 1 Stage, and we’ve got some good music coming up.

Tonight – KC and the Sunshine Band (Who among us can resist putting on the boogie shoes?)
Thursday – All American Rejects (You know… for kids. Kids that like to pretend that they have problems)
Friday – The Commodores (No Lionel, but I am willing to bet that they will bring it. And by it, I mean the funk)
Saturday – Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom (Possibly the #1 performer of Hawaiian music in the world and, reportedly, an amazing vocalist)
Sunday – Chicago (Who really kick ass, ask someone who remembers)
Monday – Weird Al (Do I even need to print his last name? You know who I mean. An amazing show, you won’t be disappointed)

Here are a few quick recommendations to check out:

Continue reading “California State Fair 2007 – Closing Week”

Fair Fare

One thing I know to be true about the California State Fair is that there are so many booths, tents, lean-tos, shacks, plazas, pavilions, and chuck wagons, that it would be impossible to eat everything.  So, let’s start with the things that I didn’t even bother trying:  Mexican, Chinese, Greek, Thai, soft serve, cheesesteaks, onion rings, ribs, and corn on the cob.  Why, you ask?  Because, I respond, there’s very little point in chomping down on stuff that’s really, really easy to get anywhere in the city at any time of year.  You only have so much room in your tummy, and I won’t endorse binging and purging (unless it’s for charity), so I suggest that spend your limited stomach resources on the truly unique and special meals.  Here are those things, in no particular order: Continue reading “Fair Fare”

Raging Bulls

OK, I don’t want to turn this into a discussion on whether rodeos are form of animal cruelty — I just want to point your attention to this story from the Bee’s website.

A couple bulls got loose at the fair and trampled an officer who was protecting fair-goers from said bulls. A rodeo clown also saved a young child from certain harm by scooping up the tot and hopping over a fence. The police officer suffered broken ribs, some abrasions, and a minor concussion. The clown remained unscathed (and I presume he piled into a Volkswagen with the rest of the clowns afterwards.)

While all of this had to be truly frightful for those involved and for those who witnessed the incident, I can’t help but smile when reading this quote, “Fair spokesman May said he was not aware of the child’s rescue and did not know the clown’s name.” Jingles? Sunshine? Patches?

It’s not quite as good as a quote about cleaning a chimichanga off a chandelier, but it does come close.

Watcha Doin’ This Weekend?

Here’s a sample of what the Eat’s might be doing this weekend.  What are you doing? 

FRIDAY– State Fair-Day 1: Eating (Especially looking forward to the BBQ Beef sandwiches at “Buns on the Run,” a small stand towards the back of the fair, next to the “kiddie” midway.  Go check it out, the homemade potato chips are divine.)  Also, don’t forget to check out the “Derby Girls.”

SATURDAY-State Fair- Day 2: Animal Extravaganza, 10am Morbid activity “From Dirt to Dish,” how living things are slaughtered for your sustenance, 11am Goat Milking!  2pm Swine Championships ( I have no idea what this entails)

SUNDAY- Recovering from State Fair.  Also, may just go over to Old Ironsides at 9pm to check out the tribute to the Kinks featuring “Baby Grand” among others. 

California State Fair 2007

Friday is opening day for State Fair 2007. While most people only think of rides and fried food, I am a fan of the Fair for the million and one ways that it represents and honors the great people and State of California. To find out what is happening on a day-to-day basis, check out www.bigfun.org for the daily schedule.

One of my favorite activities is tucking a flask of whiskey in my boot and checking out the bands on the Golden 1 Stage. Here are the next few offerings. Remember that these shows are free with admission, but seating is first come-first served. Reserved seats are available for some extra cash.

Friday 8/17 Tesla
Tuesday 8/21 Huey Lewis and the News
Wednesday 8/22 Daughtry
Thursday 8/23 The Temptations Review

Stay tuned to the SacRag for more reports from the California State Fair.