The 2025 California Mid-State Fair kicks off starting July 16.

Top-name entertainment, exhibits, competitions, carnival, and fun for the entire family

—The 2025 California Mid-State Fair is the place to be this summer. Starting July 16, the fair brings 12 days of exhibits, competitions, concerts, and good old-fashioned fun to town. There’s a special vibe at the fair, and its many different zones create unique experiences for all attendees.

“We are all about the fun, and our fair is almost like a reunion,” fair CEO Colleen Bojorquez says. “There are some people who don’t see each other all year until the fair comes around, and it’s a time to catch up and have a great time together.”

This year’s theme is Off to the Races! Bojorquez explained that the theme is a nod to the history of fairs and horse racing. “Fairs have a long-standing tie to horse racing, and our 2025 theme gives off derby vibes. Organized horse racing in California started at fairs in the 1850s. In the 1930s, fairs supported legislation to legalize horse racing and in return received funding from wagering which, although our fair no longer receives any of this, it is still a funding source at many other fairs.”

Rodeo, livestock, and top-tier entertainment

The Country Rodeo Finals brings rodeo lovers from all around the country to Paso Robles. Enjoy performances from dozens of local cowboys and cowgirls, many of whom are top tier in the state.

“Attending the rodeo is a way for SLO County residents to connect to our rural roots and be proud of our heritage, and it’s become a favorite for out-of-towners as well,” she added. “The junior gymkhana events are great for the younger crowds.”

Local 4-H and FFA exhibitors take over the livestock area, learning from each other and interacting with the public. Raising and attending to their animals in the months leading up to the fair teaches students about responsibility, animal care, communication, teamwork, mentorship, record keeping, financial and public speaking skills, sportsmanship, market dynamics, and more.

“The Livestock Area is the heart of every fair,” Bojorquez said. “Ours is covered and a fun place to stroll, even if you just want to see cute animals. The livestock auctions take place here, and it’s where almost every fair kid’s memories are made.”

The Chumash Grandstand Arena brings talented musicians and performers to the fair year after year. The fair upped the fun factor in recent years by adding a hospitality tent, where a limited number of concertgoers can purchase a wristband to gain access to an air-conditioned tent with a private bar, restroom, and lounge space. Along with entertainers appearing on the Headliner Stage, there is free nightly entertainment as well. Find these acts on the Frontier, Silo, Island, and Mission Square stages.

“It kind of goes without saying that the entertainment areas are exciting places,” Bojorquez said. “Sitting in a concert, in an audience of 100 or 15,000 people, gives you a feeling of community unlike any other.”

Exhibits, agriculture, and carnival fun

Over in the exhibits buildings, Farm Alley and the SLO Farm Bureau showcase the top commodities of SLO County, and a “Wide Open Spaces” exhibit celebrates many of the county’s beautiful ranches. Be sure to check out the Farmer’s Olympics, where locals compete in ‘good ole fashioned’ fair fun.

“Agriculture is really the main point of the fair and always has been since the inception of fairs in general,” Bojorquez said. “We want to make sure people understand that California, especially, has this mecca of agriculture. Our little part of that is having the ability to educate our fairgoers while they’re having fun. The exhibits and competitions give local clubs and individuals a platform to show off what they’re good at and what they’ve been working on. Industrial arts exhibitors use trade skills to build and create amazing exhibits, and the auctions for these exhibits are thrilling!”

Visit exotic animals with Pacific Animal Productions, and head over to Frontier Town with its stage made of cabin logs and the consistently popular Kiddie Carnival for the tiniest fair-goers. The main carnival is one of the best in the state for kids of all ages, and rides are free on the fair’s opening day, making it one of the most popular days for families to visit and have fun together.

Fair food, drink, and fun for everyone

For the adults, The Silo features a variety of wine and beer options. Over at La Cantina, fair-goers party to live Latin music and a DJ nightly. In the Mission Square, there’s a bar, live music, and a lounge set up by KRUSH radio. Jimmy’s Watering Hole is home to the nightly KJUG Barn Dance. The Island Bar, with its laid-back vibe, reggae band, and island cocktail bar, is the ideal people-watching spot.

The center of the fair, just inside the Main Gate, is the Quad area, Maynard’s Mountain and Waterfall, and Mulbeary Park, and is a great spot to meet up if family members or friends get separated. The Commercial Areas provide quiet spaces to stroll through, and one never knows what gem they may stumble upon. From hand-tooled leather goods to hot tubs and tractors, there is a plethora of choices.

Kids of all ages flock to The Midway, where a lineup of concessionaires offer all of the magical fair food you’ve been waiting craving all year. Whether it’s local barbeque, crepes, cinnamon rolls, churros, funnel cakes, corn dogs, or a wide variety of ethnic food, there’s something to satisfy every appetite.

“Our fairgoers are anywhere from 0-100 years of age, and we hope that we are the best deal in town as far as entertainment,” Bojorquez said. “Whether watching the world go by while listening to the sounds of the waterfall in the Quad, dusting off your dancing shoes at Jimmy’s, The Silo, or the Cantina, taking in a free concert, taking the little ones to experience Kids Day on the Farm, or finding out you got first place on your photography, we hope that the trade for the dollar is worth every penny.”

The California Mid-State Fair is located at 2198 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles. For more information, tickets, performances, and activities, visit midstatefair.com, or call (805) 239-0655, or follow on social media.

—Meagan Friberg