Fun in the Sun at these June Fairs and Festivals
The El Dorado County Fair is off to the races, Sacramento Pride brings a dose of joy to Capitol Mall, the Sacramento French Film Festival offers up a slate of French exports, and more. Here are the fairs and festivals delivering tons of summer fun in June.
El Dorado County Fair (Photo courtesy of the fair)
El Dorado County Fair
June 12-15 One word can describe this venerable fair that’s been going strong since 1859—and that word is racy. Not in the va-va-voom sense, but the vroom-vroom one. Whether powered by four wheels or two legs, El Doradans know how to turn everything into a fun competition. Inspired by the nearby Rubicon Trail—America’s most famous off-road vehicle course—the Rubicon Challenge lets gearheads test their 4×4 mettle at the El Dorado County Fair & Event Center in Placerville, while the return of the legendary Johnny Studebaker wheelbarrow contest (now in its 81st year) sees kids and adults alike navigate the challenging dirt and mud course. Add in a bevy of obstacle course races and rollicking roller coasters, and you’ll have a tumblin’ good time, with plenty of boot scootin’ to follow the rootin’ and tootin’ as over 50 acts take to four musical stages, including SoCal “cowpunk” group June Clivas and the Ditty Boys, local country-western dance band Brisco County, and potentially Ricky John Jackman of the Placerville-founded Ricky & the Redstreaks (so popular, the band actually made it into the lyrics of a Brooks & Dunn song in 2005). Now that’s a fair with some good clean—and yes, a bit of dirty—fun. eldoradocountyfair.org
Sacramento Pride
June 14-15 Central California’s largest Pride celebration kicks off with a 3,000-strong march from Southside Park to the festival grounds on Capitol Mall. It’s a tradition rooted in advocacy, but of course there will be plenty of opportunity for joy-filled strutting along the way. Once at Capitol Mall, before a weekend crowd of up to 25,000 revelers, entertainers like hip-hop duo Flyana Boss and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars winner Shea Couleé—who also makes her Marvel debut in Disney+’s Ironheart this June—will take the stage. But as event organizer Collin Lourenco says, “First and foremost, it truly is Sacramento Pride.” Look for local drag performers and festival emcees Julianna Budgett and Shelita Taylor, and a performance by the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus, along with the best of Sacramento’s food truck scene, like Nash & Proper and California Street Tacos. sacramentopride.org
Photo by Max Whittaker
