Mid-State Fair delivers up old-fashioned fun
Photo by Skye Ravy.
By Martin Nevarez-Ulloa
The main attraction of the California Woodworkers’ Association’s exhibit, Sawdust Sam, is pictured here with Director of Scholarships, Michael Aroner. Photo by Martin Nevarez-Ulloa.
– The Mid-State Fair has returned again this year to celebrate over a half a century of serving up lots of good old-fashioned country fun in Paso Robles. Monday was Kid’s Day at the fair, where all kids 12-years-old and under got in for free and the events were largely directed toward a younger audience.
The day’s events kicked off with Studios on the Park, which displayed local arts and crafts pieces, most of which by younger members of the community, but some also by our senior community. Some pieces on display included handmade quilts, stylized cakes – included a crocodile cake and Superman cake featuring a shirt being torn open to reveal the logo beneath– baked goods, a handmade robe, and farm-themed children’s art.
Lily Honer-Hollstien, who has set up the Frontier Pavilion for the past three years in a row, was in the process of building cows for the cow milking event later. When asked what her favorite thing about the exhibit was, she said “The best thing is seeing how much people appreciate having their work put on display. For example, one of the ladies who was a first place entrant burst into tears when she saw her quilt had placed first.”
Central Coast Woodworkers’ Association also had a booth set up in the landscape area, where they showcased all the varieties of work they do with wood, ranging from fixing up old wagons to cabinet making. President Bonnie McElwain talked about how their club has been together for seven years and the work they do for charity, such as making toy cradles to donate to Toys for Tots during Christmas season, as well as the main attraction to their exhibit, Sawdust Sam.
Over in Frontier Town, Mutton Bustin’– where small children 60 lbs. and under try to hold onto a sheep for six seconds while it runs around the stage– kicked off with the National Anthem. Riders were scored in the same way as bull riders and all gold medal winners come back at the end of fair for a local tournament, and the winners of that round go onto state. One of today’s first-place winners was a young boy named Ryan whose sister took first-place last year.
The carnival area. Photo by Skye Ravy.
Elvira Aquino, a vendor from Concord and runs the All-Star Dips booth in Commercial Building One, had nothing but great things to say about the Mid-State Fair, “People here are very nice, very friendly! The organizers are all very nice and easy to work with. This is the only fair I work, other places, no way! Try to send me to any other fair, I won’t go!”
At the Zoo to You exhibit on the Albertson’s stage, there were two kangaroos as well as an American bald eagle and a capuchin monkey. The two kangaroos were in a petting zoo area, and a third Joey was being nurtured by an employee.
They have a community service Zoo Cleanup event this coming weekend, July 1st and 2nd.
Zoo to You brought a variety of furry friends. Photo by Martin Nevarez-Ulloa.
Finally, local band The Small Kicks debuted at their first big venue on the Bud Light/Corona Stage where they played their own original songs, including “Alyson” and “Banditos”, and even covered “Beers Ago” by Toby Keith.
Lead singer Mike Brady’s wife, Alyson, who was in attendance, said, “They’ve been playing together for about four or five years so it’s really neat to see these Paso guys who’ve always dreamt of playing at the fair have their dream come true. As Paso Robles natives, they felt truly honored to be asked to play here.”
