If you are staying around town this Memorial Day Weekend, you're in luck: there's plenty afoot. From honoring our troops (as the day is originally intended) to simply taking advantage of your extra day off, you'll be able to have all sorts of fun in Sacramento this weekend. In addition to the events below, find even more in Sacramento365.com's Holiday Events section or do a quick date search for the weekend to see an even wider variety of activities. Festivals galore: Sacramento County Fair: Cal Expo; Thurs-Sun 10am-10pm; Mon 10am-7pm: Enjoy the friendly atmosphere, traditional county fair competitions, agriculture displays, hands-on family activities, carnival, festival-style enterta

Although Halloween may still be a bit away, Sacramento is already in the holiday spirit. This weekend spooky events abound for the young and the young-at-heart. See our selection here, and tune into Sacramento365.com’s Holiday event section for even more possibilities. Family haunts: Monster Bash: 6 - 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at Sacramento Children’s Museum Get those costumes ready for Halloween with a night of music, dancing, refreshments, and museum play at the Sacramento Children’s Museum’s Monster Bash. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: 7 p.m. Fridays, 12 p.m., 2 p.m, and 4 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 only, through Oct. 27 at Free Fall Stage at Victory Life Church

Cal Expo will be overloaded with cute this weekend as the inaugural Sacramento Puppy Show Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13-14. Attendants to the show can expect to see all things puppy – from puppy competitions to pet psychics, adoptions and, yes, even a puppy wedding. Dogs will have the opportunity to run through an agility course, and even if you don't bring a dog, you're welcome to bring a photo. And since it's close to Halloween, why not take a moment to watch the dog costume contest? Pet adoptions will give the opportunity to rescue a dog, and you can take home a furry friend. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door. For more information, and to purchse tickets, visit the puppy

State fair concerts are usually just ok and not something you expect to hear about three days later. Crowd enthusiam tends to be polite but not too energetic. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, however, changed all that Friday night, July 27 at Cal Expo. I finally bought a ticket to the state fair this year and it was worth the $12 admission ticket. In fact, it felt like it was worth a lot more. Joan Jett basically rocked the crowd in a way that was both magical and educational. For a lady in her early 50s, who still looks like she did 30 years ago,  there was no sense she was tired or over the hill. It was more the exact opposite as she tore down the myth that rock and roll has something to do

The Sac Mile is back! The familiar catch phrase was reintroduced last year after a 12-year hiatus away from the Capital City area. And the fans showed up like the event had never left. It’s that time again this year, as the “big bikes on the big track” are back at Cal Expo for what looks like another exciting Sacramento Mile on Saturday, July 28. Long gone are the stars of the past like Bart Markel, Mert Lawwill, Hank Scott, Gene Romero, Jay Springsteen, Ricky Graham and Bubba Shobert. Even stars from the not-so-distant past have hung up the riding boots. Two of the sport’s most popular and famous riders — Chris Carr and Scott Parker — made their mark in SacTown. The two battled it o

The California State Fair has the fifth biggest attendance in America. Since California is the biggest state, some people in other states might have guessed it  would have the biggest. But those of us in Sacramento know it has always had its limits. This week I decided to analyze the bigger picture of all the state fairs around the country, which I have documented on SacTV.com with links to all the state fair websites. I wanted to see how our fair at Cal Expo compares with others around the country. What I found out is due to the recession, a few state fairs have disappeared. Michigan and Nevada, two of the worst stricken states in the economic downturn, have been the first two to drop ou

After the suns sets on Cal Expo, the California State Fair lights up. This year's theme is "Fun That Moves You!" Here are a few photos of the fun, movement and lights around the rides along the midway.

I haven't gone to the California State Fair much over the years, mainly because it's usually a letdown. In the past, admission has been as high as $10, but this year they are experimenting with $12 in what I call "creative pricing." I haven't been inside this year's fair yet so I can't really comment on it, although I shot some scenes from the exterior perimeter last week and the buzz I felt was typical. The parking lot was closer to full than empty yet it still had the feel of a ghost town full of empty souls. The fair has the potential of being the most exciting event of the year, yet it never quite lives up to that level. If we study the history of the state fair, not too many amazing t

Opening ceremonies near the Main Gate at Cal Expo kicked off the 159th California State Fair with people lined up waiting to dash through the gates A bit of heat didn't keep opening day fair lovers away. This year's theme - Fun that moves you.   Once inside there's many characters greeting everyone! Bella Vista Marching Band of Fair Oaks provided lively dancing music. Keep an eye on SacPress for more adventures and photos. For more details about the fair go to bigfun.org

Several students from the International Academy of Design & Technology (IADT) participated in a fashion show at the Arden Fair Mall. The fashion show was part of the Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for the Cure in-person registration event held at the Arden Fair Mall. In-person registration started on the first floor in front of Nordstrom on May 5 and will continue until May 11. Registration will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The 2012 Komen Sacramento Valley Race for the Cure will take place on May 12 at Cal Expo. The event raises critical funds and breast cancer awareness. Race for the Cure will also celebrate survivors and honor those who have lost their battle. Mail in registration h

The Sacramento Convoy of Hope is a collaborative effort between dozens of local churches, businesses, social service organizations, local government and Convoy of Hope, Inc—a 501(c)(3) non-profit humanitarian organization, serving in the United States and around the world, providing food for the hungry and relief for people in crisis. For more info, go to: http://sacramentocoh.org/index.php The Sacramento outreach will provide an estimated twenty thousand people with a tangible message of hope — free groceries, clothing, health screenings, job fairs, haircuts, social services, games and activities for children, and much more. All goods and services are provided to guests free of charge. T

The Halloween season is upon us and besides it being a time for Jack O’ Lanterns and spiderwebs, it’s a time to get the candy scared out of us. When you’ve exhausted your stack of scary movies, it might be time to wander through a haunted house or two for a scream-filled, skin-crawling kind of fun. The Sacramento Press put together a list of several haunted houses in the area that are sure to make one’s hair stand straight. Maines Haunted Mansion Location: 2501 I St., Sacramento Hours: Oct. 21-31 (except 24th and 26th) 7 - 11 p.m. Admission: free - suggested donation This traditional Midtown classic is now moving into its sixth year with a completely new show every year. This year br

I had the opportunity to meet with Troy Carlson, CEO of Stage Nine Entertainment Store and Exhibit Design, the creators of probably the most impressive exhibit at the California State Fair this year. “Rock U: The Institute of Rock ‘N’ Roll,” is located in building 5. This custom designed exhibit is an interactive adventure into one of America’s greatest institutions - Rock ‘n’ Roll. Admission is free with your entrance to the fair. According to Carlson, “This really is a mix between a museum and an Exploratorium.” The exhibit provides attendees museum style displays such as vintage posters and photos, while also providing plenty of hands-on exhibits. The exhibit features interactive sta

Sacramento Cal Expo Sacramento Independence Day Celebration Monday – Gates open at 6 p.m. and fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m. 1600 Exposition Blvd. – Fireworks in the Miller Lite Grandstand Price: Free Parking: $10 in the Cal Expo parking lot Age: All ages Cal Expo will present its famed fireworks display for guests. Guests can enjoy preshow music provided by 107.9 The End and the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West. Raley Field Independence Day Weekend Celebration Saturday and Sunday. Games start at 7:05 p.m. Sat and 6:35 p.m. Sun Raley Field, 400 Ballpark Drive Price: $7-$42 Age: All ages Family and friends can enjoy Raley Field’s annual Fourth of July celebration with t

A new concept for the redevelopment of the California Exposition & and State Fairgrounds was unveiled Friday, which includes adding 120,000 square feet to the exhibition space and building a new 10,000 seat amphitheatre. A consulting team led by Andy Plescia of A. Plescia & Co. outlined the concept at a meeting of the Cal Expo Board of Directors and focused on ways to breathe new life into the fairgrounds which have been in use for nearly 50 years. The consultant group, which included Plescia, Gruen Gruen + Associates and RCH Group, formed the redevelopment concept based on a year-long feasibility study covering site conditions, property values and real estate market conditions. Cal Exp

We all have parents. But while many may love and appreciate their mothers and fathers, there are just some things not meant to be shared between parents and children. The Sacramento Press recently posed the question, “Where in Sacramento would you never want to take your parents,” to individuals at Westfield Downtown Plaza. After speaking to some fellow Sacramentans, the most common response was nightlife activities. Kevin Watson, 29, lives downtown and works as a graphic designer. He said he thought taking his dad to a club could get pretty weird. “I wouldn’t want to take my dad to Faces (Nightclub). That place is pretty crazy, and it would just be really awkward if he got hit on while

Twenty years, Twenty Families was this year’s theme at the Festival de la Familia. Sunday’s attendance at the Festival’s 20th Anniversary Celebration exceeded expectation. Families began to line up at the entrance before the gates opened. I met Veronica Delgado, Steering Committee Vice Chair of Festival de la Familia, at the entrance. She gave me an overview of the event. Veronica spent a lot of effort and energy helping to put the event together and had been at Cal Expo hours before the gates opened. Many of the Steering and Committee members have been preparing for the event for months and seemed to still be full of energy and pride as they raced around Cal Expo making sure things went

Sacramento, are you ready for a fun-filled day of delicious tacos and carne asada, exciting bachata dancers and beautiful ancient art? The 20th annual Festival de la Familia promises all that and more this Sunday at Cal Expo. The Festival de la Familia is a cultural extravaganza that pays tribute to the people and cultures of Latin American countries by celebrating their customs and traditions and highlighting the variety of Latin influences within our local community. “It’s really a celebration where we appreciate other cultures in a safe and family-oriented environment,” said Veronica Delgado, chairwoman for the festival’s Arts and Culture Pavilion. One of the things the festival is k

Sacramento Beer Week culminated with The Capital Beerfest, held at Cal Expo on Saturday. Upon entering the exposition hall, there were professional brewers, organizations of home brewers and several distributing companies present, with volunteers buzzing around with a camaraderie that can only develop while working a beer festival. Beer drinkers and enthusiasts of all ages were there enjoying the event to the fullest. The only downfall was the weather. It was so nice outside that everyone was wishing they could be sipping outside rather than inside a hall. The VIP session began at noon and was terrific in the fact that the brewers pulled out all the stops and brought out their best from

California Exposition and State Fairgrounds officials may get a closer look next month at the feasibility of redeveloping the fairgrounds. Consultants have spent the last two months gathering more extensive information on what it would take to redevelop the site. A team led by Andy Plescia of A. Plescia & Co. has been meeting with city and county officials, utility providers, developers and real estate brokers to determine what development might be possible, plus costs and changes needed to support that, according to an update released late Tuesday afternoon. "This is really drilling down in a deeper level of detail into the feasibility of a redevelopment project," Cal Expo Deputy Gener