Ode to the Sacramento County Fair

After a chilly and rainy winter, you, the Sacramento County Fair, come out of hibernation on Memorial Day weekend, bringing Sacramentans deep-fried food on a stick, dizzying rides and the sweet aroma of livestock. You are the gatekeeper of summertime, the trendsetter for crisp red skin, Reeboks with jean shorts and fanny packs. For years, you were in the shadow of the Dixon May Fair, changing weekends to find your own identity away from the older establishment. Sure, that fair over in Dixon brings bigger musical acts. Willie Nelson, Faith Hill and even Third Eye Blind overlooked the capital city for that fair down yonder. But you stand strong and keep promoting more local musicians. Besides, we Sacramentans will take Mother Mayhem over Jessica Simpson any day. Through all the name changes and relocations, you have remained loyal as Sacramento’s fair. And even at the ripe old age of 73, you’re still cheap.