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CBS News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
California State Fair's unseasonably mild weather a stark contrast to recent years
On the final Friday night at the California State Fair, some people are worried it might actually be a little too chilly. It's a stark contrast to the past two years, when more than half the days reached triple digits. Carnival flags were blowing in a cool afternoon breeze. The food court fans and misters were turned off. Could this really be the California State Fair? State fair temperatures are typically scorching, with average highs in the mid-90s, but not this year. So just how different is the state fair weather this year? Last year, there were 11 triple-digit days during the fair's 16-day run, including 111 degrees on opening day. In 2023, there were 10 triple-digit days. But this year, there's been only one — the very first day when it reached 102 degrees. Friday afternoon, we found fairgoer Sean Guerra wearing a long-sleeved flannel shirt during what's supposed to be the hottest time of day. "The reason why I have a flannel on right now is because later on tonight, the degrees are going to drop," he said. Even more impressive is that this year, 11 of the fair's days won't even reach 90 degrees. "It makes a big difference," Guerra said. "You don't have to come as early. You can come in the afternoon." There has been no word yet on how the mild temperatures are impacting attendance, but many fairgoers say it's why they came to Cal Expo this year. There are just two more days of the state fair left, with gates opening Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ohio State Fair sights, sounds, tastes to offer feast for the senses
The clamor of the crowd and the roar of roller coasters will soon provide the soundtrack for a long-running Ohio tradition that draws close to a million visitors each summer. They come from hither and yon for music and other live entertainment, thrill rides, games, fine arts, livestock shows and animal demonstrations, and a host of other activities and attractions. That's right, folks! It's time for the Ohio State Fair, which will open July 23 and run through Aug. 3 at the Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave. This will be the 170th Ohio State Fair, but it will serve as the 175th anniversary of the first Ohio State Fair because of years when the fair was not held: 1942-1945 during World War II and in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the fair's 2024 media guide, around 800,000 to over 900,000 visitors have attended the fair each year in the past two decades, even setting a record in 2023 with 1,006,228 attendees. Sights and sounds are just part of what lures fairgoers. There's also food as far as the eye can see and the nose can smell, from the intoxicating aroma of funnel cakes deep-fried to crispy, golden perfection to more unusual fare such as ghost-pepper fudge and buckeye lemonade infused with creamy peanut butter and chocolate. (And don't forget meats on sticks!) But before you traipse off to behold the beloved butter cow, here are some fair facts you need to know. When does the Ohio State Fair open? Admission gates open each day at 7 a.m., but most food vendors, buildings, activities and other attractions open later. Fair hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 23-25 and July 28-Aug. 1, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 26-27 and Aug. 2. Gates will close at 6 p.m. on Aug. 3. Fairgoers must exit the grounds by 11 p.m. each day, except for Aug. 3, when the fair closes at 9 p.m. How much is admission? Available online through July 22, advance-sale tickets cost $8 for a single day, $20 for three-day admission and $75 for 12-day admission. Multiple-day tickets are limited to one admission scan per day. Fairgoers also can purchase tickets for $8 in person at participating O'Reilly Auto Parts stores through July 22. Beginning July 23, tickets purchased online and at the gate will cost $12 for ages 13-59 and $10 for ages 6-12, as well as for ages 60 and older. Children 5 and younger are admitted for free, as are veterans, military personnel and first responders. What time do rides open? Weekday hours for the midway will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 23, 25 and July 28-Aug. 1. A sensory-friendly experience will be offered on July 24, when rides will run with no lights and sounds from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. On July 26-27 and Aug. 2, rides will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. The midway will close at 9 p.m. on Aug. 3. How much do rides cost? Save a few bucks by purchasing a ride-all-day wristband in advance for $33 through July 22. After that, the price will go up to $37. Individual digital tickets can be bought on-site. All rides require at least three rides and games at the fair are cashless. Reloadable RFID (radio frequency identification) wristbands will be scanned at each ride or game. What artists will be performing? The fair's concert series, held in the air-conditioned WCOL Celeste Center, will offer shows by KIDZ BOP (July 23), Foreigner (July 24), Warren Zeiders (July 25), Morris Day and the Time with Con Funk Shun (July 26), Tauren Wells (July 28), Leanne Morgan (July 29), T-Pain (July 30), Quinn XCII and Chelsea Cutler (July 31), AJR (Aug. 1) and Trace Adkins with Alex Miller (Aug. 2). Concert tickets purchased before arriving at the fair include admission to the fair. Is there anything new at the fair? A variety of new features will debut, including Rodeo Night on Aug. 2, a mobile axe-throwing trailer and the opening of the Barnyard, the new location of the pig races and petting zoo. For adrenaline junkies, the new Sling Shot ride will launch thrill-seekers from 145-foot towers, catapulting them as high as 200 feet in the air! What's the parking situation? Parking will cost $10, available to purchase online with admission or on-site at the fair. Reserved parking is not available to the general public. Parking is accessible from I-71 at the 17th Avenue exit and the Hudson Street exit at Silver Drive. Also, free O'Reilly Auto Parts shuttles will be available in the general parking lots to take fairgoers to and from the main entrance gate to their vehicles. What are the rules about minors at the fair? A measure implemented in 2024 requires youth under 18 to be accompanied by "an adult, sober, and competent person aged 21 or older" for admission to the fair after 6 p.m. each day. Unattended minors will be denied entry at the gate and be asked to leave or return with an adult chaperone. Chaperones cannot accompany more than six minors per day. Underage concertgoers with valid tickets can enter the fair and concerts after 6 p.m. without an adult. When the concert ends, they must leave the fair or meet up with a chaperone. Those under 18 who are caring for animals or working at the fair are exempt from the curfew if they have valid credentials. For more information about the fair, visit Entertainment and Things to Do reporter Belinda M. Paschal can be reached at bpaschal@ This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State Fair is July 23-Aug. 3 Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
California State Fair kicks off new weekday start times to combat high heat
On Monday, new reduced operating hours went into effect at the California State Fair, with the gates not opening until the afternoon. Since the mid-2000s, the fair's weekday start time had always been 11 a.m. But this year, Cal Expo's gates don't open until 4 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, which is often the hottest time of day. Some fairgoers were surprised by the reduced hours this year. "We did actually plan to try and come out earlier and beat the heat," fairgoer Shane Day said. "Unfortunately, we looked up the hours and found out they didn't open until 4." Others don't mind the later start time. "We like the nighttime because we like the lights and the excitement that comes with it," fairgoer Erin Fraker said. Why is Cal Expo cutting back on state fair hours during weekdays? "Our fair trends have shown that a lot of our fairgoers typically come in from 4 p.m. and beyond, so therefore, this makes sense for us," said. Cal Expo has been struggling financially in past years and has been forced to lay off some permanent staff. The fewer hours help fair management and vendors save money on employee costs. State fair officials say they don't expect the change will have an impact on attendance. "We don't take that into consideration at all. No, absolutely not," said Alex Alcantar, a state fair spokesperson. "For us, we do expect a good crowd to show up. We're not anticipating a loss." Even though Cal Expo is now closed during the cooler mid-day hours, there are still plenty of ways to try and beat the afternoon heat, like water misters and cooling stations. "When people do come in here, they're going to have a great time," Alcantar said. During last year's state fair, there was a record-breaking 11 days when the temperature reached triple digits. The fair will open at 10 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
CBS News
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
State Fair of Texas' 2025 Big Tex Choice Awards semi-finalists named: Dubai chocolate, Texas Water, brisket and more
The State Fair of Texas is still about three months away, but on Wednesday, fair officials announced 30 semi-finalists for the 2025 Big Tex Choice Awards. The list, narrowed down from what the fair said was a record-breaking 76 entries, features a mix of sweet and savory concessions for fairgoers to try this fall. A total of 50 concessionaires participated this year, officials said. To qualify for the competition, competitors are required to have at least one year of experience as a concessionaire at the State Fair of Texas. This year's contenders range from a churro cheesecake jalapeno popper and Wagyu bacon cheeseburger deviled egg sliders, to three different desserts featuring the viral Dubai chocolate. The selection process for the competition consists of internal judges who blindly taste the food items. Judges base their scores on three criteria: fairgoer appeal, creativity and taste. Judges will narrow down the finalists who will compete for the awards at the Big Tex Choice Awards ceremony in August. Winners will be named in three categories: "Best Taste – Savory," "Best Taste – Sweet" and "Most Creative." The State Fair of Texas begins on September 26 and runs through October 19. Click here to see the full list of semi-finalists.
