SLO County News BlogGolf, Wine, Real Estate, Business & Travel NewsMid-State Fair Opens in Paso RoblesThursday, July 28, 2005The self-proclaimed "Biggest Little Fair ... Anywhere" begins today at the California Mid-State Fairgrounds in Paso Robles, with activities and entertainment to suit just about any taste.Celebrating 60 years at the fairgrounds, this year's fair will offer all the traditional events people have known for years, including carnival rides, animal judging and country and rock music concerts. But this year, a variety of new features will make their debut to satisfy the nearly 400,000 visitors who will likely attend the fair between today and Aug. 7. Small children will probably be interested in the special carnival ride section set up just for them next to the Headliner Stage. The area will include a merry-go-round, bumper boats and other rides suited for people their size. Another area good for children and adults alike is the educational All Creatures Great and Small Petting Zoo, which will allow visitors to touch a variety of common and rare animals and learn about each one by reading informational displays. The zoo is open from 12 to 8 p.m. daily. Street Beat, a unique drumming trio that uses buckets and pails in their percussion performance, can be seen Aug. 4 through Aug. 7 on the Stampede Stage. Another performance this year will be country music star Darryl Worley, who will perform Aug. 6 right after the Country Rodeo Finals. The combination event will allow rodeo spectators to also see the concert with one ticket. For adults, a former wine competition has been changed to add three new varietals. The Central Coast Wine Challenge now features pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and blended red wines in addition to the syrah and chardonnay. Wineries from three counties -- San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Monterey -- entered more than 250 wines that were judged in June. Winning entries will be on display in the Marketplace throughout the run of the fair. Seniors attending the fair will get a great deal every day, as the fair has dropped admission prices for those age 62 and older to just $4. That's in addition to the usual Senior Day -- Tuesday, Aug. 2 -- when anyone over the age of 55 will get in for a half-price admission of $3.50. Concertgoers with disabilities may find it easier to enjoy the show with expanded handicapped seating in the Main Grandstand Arena. And everyone will enjoy extra room as well as a new permanent stage with video screens on the sides to help all spectators better enjoy the show. Some of this year's big acts include Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Journey, Los Lonely Boys, Reba, Maroon 5, Toby Keith and Sugar Ray on the Grandstand Stage and Smash Mouth, Michael W. Smith, Buddy Guy and the Wallflowers on the free stages. To see a detailed list of activities offered each day and for ticket information on shows, visit the fair's Web site at www.midstatefair.com and click on Daily Schedule. There you can find times for everything from livestock judging to concerts to cake decorating demonstrations. Gates will open at noon daily and close at midnight. Regular admission is $7 and does not include headliner concert tickets. Read More
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