Sacramento County Fair (Photo by Jose Rosas, courtesy of the Sacramento County Fair) SACRAMENTO COUNTY FAIR May 21-25 This Cal Expo staple kick-starts the summer season with a mix of classic rides, eats and family-friendly exhibits, including Birds of Prey, which offers close encounters with hawks and falcons. Also look for new additions like a BMX and skateboarding showcase and comics like America’s Got Talent alum Insane Wayne. sacfair.com EL DORADO COUNTY FAIR June 18-21 This year’s fair in Placerville lives up to its theme, “Good Ol’ Fashioned Fun.” Gear up to cheer on kids trying to ride sheep, get your hands dirty in the wheelbarrow races, take in the high-octane off-road action at the Rubicon Challenge, learn to line dance with hometown favorite DJ Grant Petersen, and more. edcfair.org PLACER COUNTY FAIR June 25-28 Part 250th birthday jubilee for America, part celebration of Placer County’s own milestone anniversary—its 175th—this Roseville festival will honor the past, present and future. So expect exhibits showcasing county history and an inaugural tech expo alongside carnival rides, dance band favorites like the Wonder Bread 5 and the annual rib cookoff. placercountyfair.org YOLO COUNTY FAIR  Aug. 7-16 So nice, the state’s longest-running “free gate” fair is happening twice. On Aug. 7-9, head out to the county grounds in Woodland for rides, music and eats, including new offerings like dumplings and a potato bar. Then head back out Aug. 12-16 for part two, which kicks off with The Bounty of the County Gala featuring provisions and libations from Father Paddy’s Irish Pub, Full Belly Farm and other local favorites. yolocountyfair.net NEVADA COUNTY FAIR  Aug. 12-16 You’ll be made in the shade beneath the canopy of towering pines, at this yearly Grass Valley gathering. The foothills will be alive with the sound of music from about 40 musical acts across three stages and your taste buds will be awoken as you make your way down Treat Street (don’t forget to go early and grab a Job’s Daughters corndog-as many as 10,000 of the craveable creations are sold each year). nevadacountyfair.com   ...read more read less