Going County at Fairs Around the Sacramento Region
Got the post-State Fair blues? Check out these four county festivals—with everything from 28-foot-high zip lines to deep-fried zucchini—starting with the Yuba-Sutter Fair, which opens today.
Yuba-Sutter Fair
Opening today and running through Sunday, this 155th annual festival includes attractions like an avian show by Las Vegas animal trainer Joe Krathwohl, as well as Skip Banks, who will wiggle and dance his way inside a balloon in an act that he’s performed on shows like NBC’s Extreme Variety. Returning this Sunday will be the popular destruction derby from Yuba City’s TNT Motorsports. The fair will also offer nightly live music from acts like country musician Chad Bushnell, reggae rockers Element of Soul and Latin group The Band Fresh. $8 (free for ages 5 and under); $5 parking. Wednesday and Thursday from 4:30 to 11 p.m, and Friday through Sunday, 1 p.m. to midnight. Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds. 442 Franklin Ave. Yuba City. 530-674-1280. ysfair.com
Nevada County Fair
Crowned by the Los Angeles Times as one of America’s “fairest of rural county fairs,” this event will draw nearly 100,000 visitors to Grass Valley over five days (Aug. 7-11) with attractions like a 28-foot-high zip line and the “Treat Street” food corridor lined with over 35 vendors serving up food like hand-dipped corn dogs and the fair’s signature meat-filled Cornish pasties. For this year’s theme “Under the Big Top,” little ones can check out a participatory circus show where they can take center stage and become the ringleaders and star performers. Other highlights include a Thursday night rodeo, Friday night bull riding, and competitions like a speed texting contest and an ugly cake-decorating battle. $9 ($4 for ages 6-12; free for children ages 5 and under); $6 parking. Aug. 7-11 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Nevada County Fairgrounds. 11228 McCourtney Rd. Grass Valley. 530-273-6217. nevadacountyfair.com
Yolo County Fair
Touted as the largest and longest-running free admission fair in California, this Yolo County festival, which started in 1938, returns to Woodland from Aug. 14 to 18. Learn about the area’s agricultural history through displays of early 1900s tractors and farm equipment, or sample the local bounty during a Wednesday night food and wine gala. Thrill seekers can watch trucks and mini cars collide during demolition derbies, as well as go on rides like Tilt-a-Whirl. Local bands like Mumbo Gumbo and Walking Spanish will perform at evening concerts Thursday through Sunday. Free admission; $5 parking. Aug. 14 from 6 p.m. to midnight, and Aug. 15-18 from noon to midnight. Yolo County Fairgrounds. 1250 Gum Ave. Woodland. 530-402-2222. yolocountyfair.net
Gold Country Fair
This Auburn fair (Sept. 5-8) will be spotlighting agriculture and local food this year through everything from a demonstration vegetable garden to a wine-tasting gala featuring Placer County Vintners Association members. Feeling competitive—and hungry? Sign up for a group watermelon or pie eating contest, or channel Betty Crocker for the “Crazy For Cupcakes” and “Chewy, Gooey, Decadent Brownie” recipe face-offs. Traditional fun treats include funnel cakes, cotton candy and deep-fried zucchini. $10 (free for ages 12 and under); $5 parking. Sept. 5 from 4 to 11 p.m.; Sept. 6 from 4 p.m. to midnight; Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to midnight; and Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Gold Country Fairgrounds. 1273 High St. Auburn. 530-823-4533. goldcountryfair.com
