Summer in Sacramento can only mean two things — it’s super hot, and the biggest event in the state returns: the California State Fair.
With the fair's return, people can expect the usual — live entertainment, barn animals, various exhibits, and the real star of the show: fair food.
From turkey legs, Hot Cheeto smash burgers, and corn dog sushi, to gelato sandwiches, mac-and-cheese balls, and egg rolls on a stick, visitors are sure to enjoy the many unique options the fair has to offer.
For Ed Benelli, a visitor at the state fair this evening, said he could eat anything at the fair as long as it’s deep fried and on a stick.
Food options
One of the busiest food vendors at the State Fair on Friday was Juicy’s Famous Fair Food, a traveling food vendor that has your typical turkey legs, but also has interesting food items that include a mountain of curly fries, and corndog sushi.
A mountain of curly fries from Juicy's Famous Fair food on Friday July 24, 2026.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio
The corndog sushi is an item that is sliced into sushi-sized bites and could be topped with mustard, ketchup and Hot Cheetos for extra crunch.
Marivel Diaz, one of the workers, said one of their most popular items is their Twinkie Burger, which is a burger topped with cheese and two Twinkies between two buns-–yes you heard that right. Diaz highly recommends visitors try it.
“They are made fresh as you order them,” Diaz said. “We also have our mountain of curry fries, which come with cheese and bacon, or cheese and hot Cheetos, which is really common right now.”
If you’re feeling Americanized pasta, the newest food vendor Brian’s Concessions, introduces a new mac and cheese concept at the fair.
Instead of boiling your mac and cheese, this vendor grills the mac and cheese, infusing it with four different cheeses and offering multiple toppings like hot Cheetos and jalapenos.
A mac and cheese plate with brisket over the top at the newest food vendor Brian's Concessions Friday July 24, 2026.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio
Brian Brandon, the owner, said the idea was to bring a more interactive version of the classic dish to the fair.
“This is the first year that we brought the mac and cheese to the state fair,” Brandon said. “We thought about making fresh mac and cheese on the grill so people can see how it's made, also adding meat toppings as far as brisket, pulled pork and bacon.”
Oriental Express offers various Asian food cuisines like mango sticky rice and egg rolls on a stick.
They’re located in Stockton and have been a part of the State Fair for the last 7 years, according to food vendor Nancy Tom.
“We have a variation of Asian food,” Tom said. “So we have Cambodian food, a little bit Japanese, Korean, Southeast Asian, and a lot of it, just because I'm Cambodian, and we're Southeast Asian.”
KMI Beef plate at the Oriental Express, a vendor that specializes in various Asian cuisines on Friday July 24, 2026.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio
They also offer KMI Beef over rice and papaya salad. Tom mentioned that their award-winning garlic noodles, and garlic chicken have been selling like crazy this year.
“It's a garlic noodle, and then I'll top off with battered chicken over garlic sauce with some onion and parmesan cheese on it,” Tom said.
If your taste buds are more on the sweet side, there are many options. There are places selling deep fried Oreo’s, pineapple Dole whip ice-cream, and milk shakes.
Fabe’s Churros & Gelato can satisfy your dessert desire offering 16-inch churros, huge milkshakes, gelato sandwiches, and unique soda and lemonade options.
Andres Gonzalez works at Fabe’s and said all of their gelato products are made in-house.
“Here we do one unique item called a Puffle sundae,” Gonzalez said. “I describe it more like a bubble wrap because it's all puffy, but make it into a Sundae, so it's really elaborate, really big, and we're known for that too.”
Fabe’s gelato flavors include vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mango, Oreo, coffee, lemon ice and lemon Italian ice. The company is based in Southern California, according to Gonzalez.
First time fair exhibit
Once you get all filled up from the various food options, you can head over to the buildings housing the exhibits. There are eight buildings offering various viewing experiences, including the return of the CaLOWfornia Love, an exhibit about the lowrider car, a King Tut Experience, and candy maze selfie experience.
One of the newest attractions is The California First People’s Art Showcase, which is an exhibit honoring the various Native American Indigenous Tribes in California.
The display includes ceremonial regalia, historical items and contemporary art, which are all loaned from volunteers.
Cindy La Marr, a Pit River and Northern Paiute woman, helped organize the exhibit and said the core message is to show people that native American people are still here.
(L-R) Chiitaanibah Johnson and Cindy La Marr stands next to basket display at The California First People's Art Showcase Friday July 24, 2026.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio
“We are willing to educate the general public that we still do artwork, basketry, regalia and practice ceremonies,” La Marr said. “We continue to carry on what our ancestors were not allowed to.”
The exhibit was assembled in three weeks without funding, according to La Marr, which emphasizes the community's dedication to preserving their heritage.
“Everybody that helped volunteered and loaned items to us, and I think that's pretty amazing,” La Marr said.
Fair moving to fall 2027
Since Cal Expo has experienced hotter weather over the summer, starting in 2027, the State Fair will be moving to fall from the middle of September through the first week of October.
Even Brandon has recognized the heat working the mac and cheese stand, although as of Friday afternoon, the weather was “cooperating here and there.”
“I mean, there's some hot days,” he said. “So if you gotta come out to the fair, beat the heat, stay in the buildings, and when it's cool outside, come on out and enjoy some good food.”
For Hope Porter, one of the workers of the souvenir stand at the East gate, the move can’t come soon enough. She has been working at the stand for three years.
“I’m so excited, I can not wait,” Porter said. “I be too hot, and I can not do the heat anymore.”
Porter said the move wouldn’t be much of an adjustment but the fall is way better suited for people to come enjoy the fair.
“Last year and the year before that, it was too hot, there were kids that were getting dehydrated too quickly and like passing out and stuff,” she said. “So honestly, I really do think that the fall season would be a lot better for the kids and easier for parents to bring them.”
