Entertainment Highlights

Information about the Big Fun in store in 2008 is now being updated. Check back often!

Back Lot	Blues and Brews Stage	Miller Lite Grandstand
Cavalcade of Horses Arena	Golden1 Stage	Horse Show & Rodeo Arena
Hussongs Cantina	Kaiser Permanente Kids Park	PG&E Center Stage
Roaming Entertainment	State Fair Star	Toyota Xtreme Zone

Back Lot
Hurray for Hollywood! Come be a star at the California State Fair Big Fun Studios Back Lot location in front of the California Building. Walk the scenes of some of your favorite movie sets such as “Tombstone,” “Spiderman,” Jurassic Park,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” and learn some movie magic tips from the professionals.

Sparx Sound Effects Adventures
Interested in the behind the scenes sound of Hollywood? Come and enjoy a show by world-renowned radio drama sound effects artist Tony Palermo of Sparx Audio Adventures. Watch in amazement how a simple bag of potatoes can imitate the sounds of a cattle stampede or a can of bolts that sounds like a car crash. Members of the audience will be asked to participate in hands-on activities that help create the sound effects as the storyline unfolds.

Hollywood High Dive Show
Featured everyday at the 2008 California State Fair, the Hollywood High Dive Show is a fast paced high energy dive show that follows the story of the Hollywood movie making industry, utilizing time period costuming and music. The high dive tribute to Hollywood will include springboard diving, tower diving, clown diving and a high dive over 70’ tall!

Blues and Brews Stage
The blues evening presentation will be shakin’ and rockin’ on the Blues and Brews stage as the highly anticipated Blues Show is back every night of the 2008 California State Fair!

Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers
Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers have been a State Fair icon since the inception of the Blues and Brews Club in 2001 and have won three Sacramento Area Music Awards (aka the Sammies) for “Best Blues Band.” Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers will perform nightly at the 2008 California State Fair from 5-8 p.m.

Terry Hanck
Terry Hanck, one of the most sought out blues players in the country, is well known for his hard blowing saxophone, incredible range and gutsy vocals. Hanck’s electric Chicago blues and soul grooves are guaranteed to get the blood pumping and the feet moving. You can see Hanck tear it up on the “Blues & Brews” stage every night at the 2008 California State Fair from 8-11 p.m.

Miller Lite Grandstand
Overlooking the Cal Expo Racetrack, the Miller Lite Grandstand is where the best betting action in California takes place. The Miller Lite Grandstand is a multi-functional facility that features spacious seating, multiple food venues, satellite simulcast wagering, a clubhouse and a newly renovated Sports Bar and Clubhouse. The recent $1.2 million facelift of the satellite wagering facility added 16 Plasma TVs and 86 LCD Flat Panel televisions that complement the existing 200 televisions, thus enhancing the viewing opportunities for the sports and racing fan. Fans can view their favorite sporting events during and after the Fair in our air-conditioned satellite facility.

The Cal Expo racetrack is a unique venue like no other you can experience in California. The mile-long racetrack encircles a lake with fountains surrounded by a lush green lawn. The thrill of live thoroughbred racing is home at the 2008 California State Fair.

Live Thoroughbred Racing
Live Thoroughbred Racing is coming back to the California State Fair!

Horse racing fans are invited to purchase season box seats for the upcoming thoroughbred and mixed breed race meet which is scheduled to run Aug. 20 – Sept. 1 during the California State Fair. Dark days are Aug. 25 – 26. Prime location season boxes are only $650 for the season and boxes farther away from the finish line are only $550. Both season box seat packages are valued at over $1,100 and include:

Cavalcade of Horses Arena
Anyone who ever wanted a pony as a child will love the Cavalcade of Horses. Located near the water tower, the Cavalcade will once again present many and varied performers to the horse-loving public.

Dianne Olds Rossi and the Magical World of Dancing Horses
The highlighted equine entertainer this year is Dianne Olds Rossi and the Magical World of Dancing Horses. Dianne has been a favorite at the California State Fair for many years and will be welcomed back with an appreciation of her beautifully choreographed show of dancing Friesians. As the theme of the 2008 California State Fair is representing “Hollywood”, Dianne will present her wonderfully choreographed Darth Vader act with other Star Wars characters as well as a brand new exciting rendition drawn from the Terminator movie.

Horse Show & Rodeo Arena
North of the Livestock Pavilion by the Kids Park and East Gate Entrance, the Horse Show & Rodeo Arena is the place to stay for some of the best action throughout the Fair. The Rodeo Arena hosts Bull Fest, the Demolition Derby, Sheep Dog Trials and much more!

County Fair Best of Show Youth Horse Show
The California State Fair presents the County Fair Best of Show Youth Horse Show in the State Fair Arena Aug. 19-20 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The participants are 4-H, FFA, Grange and independent exhibitors, as well as walk/jog exhibitors, who have qualified at their County Fair level by winning first place in a class in a horse show that has qualified to be a California State Fair eligible show. There will be gymkhana events, trail, showmanship, western events and English events, both on the flat as well as over fences.

Dancin’ With Bulls
On Sunday, Aug. 17 Dancin’ With Bulls will be back by popular demand. There will be four demonstrations of Rodeo Clowns “dancing” with the bulls to distract the bulls from a bull rider who has completed his ride. This will be an audience participation event as the audience bets on either the bull or the clown. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

National Diving Dog Tour
For the first time ever, the California State Fair will be a stop on the National Diving Dog Tour. Dogs from all over will be competing for a qualifying spot in the National Championships of the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge. Supporters and dog-lovers can come out and cheer for their favorites on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23 and 24 in the Rodeo Arena from 5 – 7 p.m.

Demolition Derby
Once again, the California State Fair is proud to present the Demolition Derby on Sunday, Aug. 31 and Monday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Horse Show and Rodeo Arena.

California State Fair patrons will experience the thrill of watching fearless drivers maneuver their cars around the arena. Each driver strategically smashes their opponent’s vehicles while still trying to keep their own cars from being damaged in the hopes of being the last car running at the end of the night.

Equine Champion Challenge
We are excited to present our fifth annual Equine Champion Challenge at the 2008 California State Fair, Aug. 20 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. This unique program is a learning laboratory encompassing a written as well as a practical examination testing the student’s knowledge and skills involved in the care and management of the horse.

The California State Fair will reward the Grand Champion with a $2,000 savings bond and the Reserve Champion with a $1,000 savings bond to further their educational opportunities. The highest placing exhibitor in each of the five categories (4-H Junior, 4-H Senior, FFA, Grange and Independent, Pony and Walk/Jog) wins a $250 savings bond.

Rodeo Hall of Fame at Cattleman's Day
The spirit of the Wild West is recognized each year at the California State Fair’s Cattleman’s Day, with a special showcase of the Rodeo Hall of Fame. Cattleman’s Day 2008 will take place Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Sheep Dog Trials
The annual California State Fair Sheep Dog Trials will be held in the Rodeo Arena on Friday, Aug. 15, opening day of the 2008 State Fair. The competition will include three divisions: Open, Non Pro and Novice Non Pro. Placings and ribbons will be presented in all divisions and the world famous Border collie dogs and their handlers are the much anticipated contestants.

Hussongs Cantina
Enjoy live music from south of the border along with hand-shaken margaritas and a world famous Caesar Salad. A lively respite from the heat, Hussongs is the State Fair’s favorite cantina!

Walking Puppet Stage
The Walking Puppet Stage is as entertaining to adults as it is to children. The puppet welcomes folks to the fair passing out maps, show schedules and information. This darling puppet is sure to amaze fairgoers with its wit and charm. At the 2008 California State the entertainment will find you!

Jeremy the Juggler
Jeremy the Juggler's roving entertainment includes a combination of juggling, unicycling, stilt walking, performance origami and balloon twisting. Jeremy Shafer has performed at numerous fairs including our own California State Fair. He juggles up to nine balls, walks on stilts that make him 11 feet tall and rides a unicycle all over the fairgrounds while hand-twisting familiar melodies. He has designed hundreds of original origami models, taught and performed at origami conventions in eight countries and presented numerous times on TV.

Sea Lion Encounter
Come and enjoy the three newest stars to hit the California State Fair in the exciting and educational Sea Lion Encounter. Sea Lions are very familiar to California, but at the Sea Lion Encounter fairgoers will get a first hand look and might even get the rare opportunity to reach out and touch a sea lion! Come by the Kaiser Permanente Kids Park for the shows at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily, and at 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day

The Stars of the Peking Acrobats
With years of training and centuries of tradition the Stars of the Peking Acrobats will twist and turn their way on to the PG&E Center Stage. The Acrobat’s riveting performances will blow your mind and imagination. These well-trained international stars will show off their polished skills to fairgoers of all ages all 18 days of the Fair. Catch the sensational Chinese acrobatics, comedy and balancing feats everyday at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The Hypnotist – Terry Stokes
Back by popular demand, the well-known Hypnotist Terry Stokes, will once again grace the stages of the California State Fair. Performing every day on the PG&E Center Stage, Stokes brings a unique flare and comedic presence to his performances as he invites fairgoers on stage for an unforgettable experience.

Kids Talent Show
Young performers from all over California have been auditioning for the Kids Talent Show since May. On Kids Day, August 28, the finalists will compete in the 2nd Annual Kids Talent Show at 6 p.m. on the PG&E center stage. The top three finalists will share a prize pot that includes cash, prizes and the official title of "State Fair's Most Talented Kid." The show is one of numerous opportunities the State Fair is offering people to show off their inner superstar.

Showcasing Culture
Every culture has something exciting to share and the California State Fair wants to celebrate that. For all 18 days of the Fair, fairgoers can look forward to a wide range of cultural entertainment on the Center Stage. Check back often for updates!

Poppy’s Birthday Party
Poppy is the official California State Fair mascot and he loves to celebrate his birthday every year with a big party. Kids of all ages are invited to Poppy’s Birthday Party on Tuesday, Aug. 19. Have your picture taken with Poppy and his mascot buddies or just come to enjoy a delicious cinnamon bun cake. Either way, Kids get in FREE to the Fair on Tuesdays!

Step Up Dance Crew
The Step Up Dance Crew is the official dance team of the State Fair. They are an elite competitive hip-hop and modern dance team made up of young volunteers. Check out Step Up’s performances at the Promenade Stage, with a special performance during the State Fair Star talent show & competition on Monday, Sept. 1 on the Golden1 Stage

State Fair Star
The 2008 California State Fair is searching for undiscovered talent with our “State Fair Star” talent show & competition. Representation from the State Fair, together with winners from talent competitions held at other California Fairs and Festivals will be invited to the final showdown. The competition finals will bring contest winners from all over the state of California to the State Fair on Saturday, Sept. 1 to decide who has what it takes to be the 2008 “State Fair Star.” Finalists will be competing for the chance to win the Grand Prize, which will include a “Superstar Prize Package” with cash, prizes, a makeover, vocal lessons and roundtrip airfare to a national competition of their choice.

The Traveling Game Show
The Traveling Game Show is as much fun to watch as it is to play! Games include Crazy Trivia, Name That Tune, State Capitols and many more. With FREE prizes for all ages, the Traveling Game Show is a can’t-miss.

BJ the Puppet Truck
Don’t be surprised if while at the California State Fair you find yourself talking to a puppet in a truck. When BJ the Puppet Truck drives up next to you, a good time is sure to follow. Children and adults are sure to be fascinated by the little truck as BJ drives around the Cal Expo fairgrounds.

Otto Focus – The Madcap Film Director
With scripts from actual movies, audiences of all ages will be enthralled as they take a screen test directed by Otto Focus himself. Guests will be encouraged to film the action with their still or video cameras … or Otto will be the cameraman. Mark Wenzel, with 30 years of fair, event and theme park experience, will portray the German director Otto Focus.

Toyota Xtreme Zone
The Toyota Xtreme Zone is the home of extreme sports at Cal Expo. Freestyle Motocross (FMX) sits on the throne of extreme sports. With the increased international exposure and incredible non-stop action, FMX has quickly become one of the fastest growing motor sports activities in the world. Ascending into the evening air, freestyle motocross athletes will perform breath-taking tricks as part of this large-scale event. The event will feature top name athletes, DJ music and an emcee calling street bike tricks and offering extreme sport insight.

TNT Action Sports
World-renowned rider Jeff “Full-Tilt” Tilton headlines this suspenseful Big Air FMX ramp-to-ramp stunt demonstration. Flying 35-feet into the air, riders perform aerial acrobatics over a 75-foot gap providing fairgoers with a combination of suspense, athleticism and danger! The FMX action is at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. each and every day of the 2008 California State Fair.

No Limit Extreme Sports
Jason Britton and Team No Limit Extreme return to the California State Fair! Untouched in terms of style and stunt execution, this entertaining motorcycle-riding showcase has established a cult-like following. The action begins Aug. 20 through Labor Day at 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. each day.