California State Fair – 2019
If you’re a long-time reader, you know I have to go to the California State Fair each year. It’s cheesy and filled with art, fiber, crops, rides, hawkers, horrific food and people from all walks of life.
That is one of the things I like the best about it – it seems to attract a broad demographic swath. And I love the kid’s art and the stages where you can see groups or individuals doing all types of normal or odd things: baton, Polynesian Dance, ukeleles, singers, drama, tap and some things that I can’t even describe.
And of course, there is Fair Food: fried cheese curds (like regular cheese curds weren’t caloric enough!), chocolate dipped anything including bacon, fried anything and more:
And finally, after wondering about it for years, I tried a deep fried Oreo. Bleh! It did not taste Oreo at all, just fried dough. And there were SIX in a serving!
One of my favorite areas was the children’s art – oh so adorable!
“Exhausted”, Hayden Laung.
“Love of reindeer and Cherry”, Tiffany Tan LIi.
Tussock Moth Catepillar, Xander Klaus (Age 5-9 Group).
Moving On, Eli Fisher-Fernandez (Age 10 – 12 Group).
Contemplating, Kenydy Adair (Ages 13 – 15 Group).
Robin, Isabellah Frost (Ages 16 – 18 Group).
On to the Fine Arts Building:
Dream State, Lynette Koftinow.
Pavlova, Debra Kreck-Harnish.
Untitled, Austin Kramer.
Tide Pool, Judy Knott.
Birth of Venus the Mother, Stephenee Bore.
Daniela Ornelas, Kendrick Lamar.
And finally, the Crafts Building:
Our California, Karla Dellner. Karla is a member of my home guild, the Folsom Quilt and Fiber Guild and Received the Best of Show award! It is Karla’s take on her favorite things about California.
(Didn’t get the name), Marie Nelson.
A Round Kevin 4/4: Hexagon, Silk and Salvage.
Fireworks, Laurel Moore.
I had a lovely chat with the maker of this piece, Sweet Georgie by Marney Kincaid. Marney used over 80 colors of Delicata beads to make this amazing piece. She works full-time and would come home and do a few rows every night.
Detail, Sweet Georgie, Marney Kincaid.
And then the garments:
1850 Christmas Eve Party Dress, Diana Bradham.
RicRac on the Runway, Valerie Lynne.
There were many more great pieces in the Fair but photography there was difficult. They do not have much of a budget nor adequate space, so items are crammed together, sometimes behind glass. I did my best! I hope you enjoyed your tour of the California State Fair. I’ll be sharing with Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday along with many other great bloggers.
I love the fair. It’s one of my favorite destinations every year. Thank you for sharing.
There’s something about a fair that always gets me excited! Hope you get out to see it this year. It’s gonna be 103 this weekend – hope you go on a cooler day!
Thank you for sharing the fair. The art is spectacular isn’t it!? So much talent in our world and it’s so diverse….wonderful, wonderful. Please, take care and stay well.
Thank you for those kind words Loretta – I intend to stay healthy! The Fair was a blast.
Thank you Jenny for sharing the art at the fair with us. Talent id amazing! I’m especially drawn to the art wok of youth since I have sons and granddaughters who are very talented in that field. The pieces you’ve shown us in that field are truly amazing when you consider the detail and accuracy of drawing.painting the human body.
Of course the quilts, both traditional and artistic, are wonderful.
The last garment is so amazing, I hope someone actually wore it. Can’t imagine the time involved!
Yes Marlette, wouoldn’t that be magnificent to see on the maker in person? I love, love, love children’s art work and the ones I put in the post are adorable.
Thank you so much for sharing your visit to the fair, I adore seeing the art, in all mediums. Always inspiring.
Ya know, it’s kind of like a bunch of top notch galleries, all in one place!
Thank you for taking the time to photograph and post all this eye candy…..very enjoyable viewing!
Thank you Mary – glad you enjoyed the visit!
OH my gosh! Just when I thought I’d seen all the magnificence that the California State Fair had to offer, I’d scroll down and find more — and more — and MORE! Surely the exhibits were worth the fouler-than-fair food options. I think it’s worth smuggling in some carrot sticks in your purse next year, because deep frying sounds like a cruel and unusual punishment for perfectly good Oreos. The student artwork: amazing! Your fellow guild member’s winning quilt: stunning! The beaded dog portrait: wondrous! And then, when I thought I’d seen the best of it all — the VICTORIAN CAROLING OUTFIT!!! Love!! Thanks for taking me on a virtual tour of the fair with you, Jenny!
And I was totally thinking of you the moment I saw that Victorina Caroling outfit! It is a really good fair. I’ve been to fairs in several states and the only one that was close was the Texas state fair. I’m lucky that it’s right here!
A lot of beautiful pieces of art here, thanks for sharing!
You are welcome Frederique! Glad you enjoyed it.
I had to look up where the State Fair is held–how fun to be able to go and see it. We only have a bunch of county fairs down here in SoCal, but they are pretty amazing, too. Thanks for giving us a tour!
I’ll take a County Fair too Elizabeth! Big question though – do they have deep fried Oreos:-)
Country fairs are a fun cross section of America. Thanks for reminding me.
Thanks for the virtual tour! I’ll have to brave the heat and go next year.
By the way, those Wonder Grip gloves from your shop really are better! When I have them on, it feels like I am using a glide sheet under the quilt even when I forget to put one on. Much better grab.
You would love the Fair! Yup, those gloves are the best!
Thank you for including me and my labor of love!
Of course! Loved talking with you about your art and process. I hope to see more of your work too!