FAQ's

Questions

  1. When is the Fair open to the public?
  2. Is re-entry available?
  3. Map of the Fairgrounds
  4. What items are prohibited from bringing into the Fair?
  5. Are personal items subject to inspection prior to entrance?
  6. Can I bring in a reusable water bottle?
  7. Do I have to pay admission for my infant?
  8. Do I need an admission ticket in addition to my Grandstand concert ticket?
  9. At what age does a child need a paid concert ticket into the Chumash Grandstand Arena?
  10. What if I bought a concert ticket through a third-party website?
  11. What is the refund/exchange policy?
  12. Can I bring in my own food?
  13. I lost something / I found something...
  14. Do you offer shuttle service to and from the fairgrounds?
  15. Where can I park?
  16. How much does parking cost?
  17. What should I wear?
  18. Are there group rates?
  19. Can I rent a stroller?
  20. Can I rent a wheelchair?
  21. Do you have lockers?
  22. Can I take pictures at the Fair?
  23. Ticket Giveaways
  24. How old do you have be to ride the carnival rides?
  25. Is smoking allowed on premises?
  26. Can I bring in a pet?
  27. How do I pay for things?
  28. Are there ATM machines?
  29. Is there RV parking?
  30. Public Safety Program
  31. What are the COVID-19 protocols?

Answers

  1. When is the Fair open to the public?

    Fair Dates: July 17-28, 2024 | Fair Hours: Monday-Thursday: 4:00 pm - Midnight | Friday-Sunday Noon-Midnight. Some Livestock and Horse show events take place earlier in the day, so be sure to check the Daily Schedules for those times.Public entry, for events being held prior to the Fair’s regular opening times, are located at the Livestock or Main Entrance gates only. Admission fees apply at entry. Only the scheduled event area is open to the public to attend, all other areas of the Fairgrounds are closed to the public entry.

  2. Is re-entry available?

    Hand stamp for re-entry is available at all public exit gates (Main, Livestock, South, Flower and Rodeo). No entry or re-entry after 10:00 pm.

  3. Map of the Fairgrounds

    Click here

  4. What items are prohibited from bringing into the Fair?

    The following is a partial list of items people are NOT allowed to carry onto Fair property. Event staff will be authorized to use their discretion in disallowing items not included on this list:

    • guns, including pellet and BB guns (concealed weapons permits are NOT accepted on fair property. All armed on and off duty law enforcement are required to check in with Event Staff at a gate)
    • knives, including pocket knives of any size/length
    • ammunition
    • explosives
    • electric weapons
    • martial arts weapons
    • batons
    • brass knuckles
    • mace
    • pepper spray
    • handcuff keys (except for law enforcement/ probation/parole personnel)
    • metal water bottles and/or cups

    The California Mid-State Fair and its employees will not hold prohibited items discovered during the screening process for persons to retrieve at a later time. Please leave any of these items in your vehicle or at home prior to arriving at the Fairgrounds.

  5. Are personal items subject to inspection prior to entrance?

    Yes, this is for everyone's safety. 

  6. Can I bring in a reusable water bottle?

    Empty plastic reusable water bottles and sealed plastic water bottles are allowed. Metal reusable water bottles/cups are NOT allowed. We have two refill stations located at the Main Quad and down by the Paso Robles Pavilion / Cal Fire building. 

  7. Do I have to pay admission for my infant?

    No, children 5 years old and under get in free.

  8. Do I need an admission ticket in addition to my Grandstand concert ticket?

    Yes, you do. Everyone entering the fairgrounds must present a valid ticket of admission, including those attending Grandstand concerts. Concert tickets do not include admission to the fair.

  9. At what age does a child need a paid concert ticket into the Chumash Grandstand Arena?

    Children 3 years old and over need a paid ticket. Children age 2 and under do not require a paid ticket to attend the show, however, they must sit on the lap of a ticketed adult.

  10. What if I bought a concert ticket through a third-party website?

    BEWARE OF TICKET SCAMS! Though many online ticket brokers (StubHub, VividSeats, Event Tickets Center, SeatGeek, etc.) may imply that they are an official website for concert ticket purchases for the California Mid-State Fair, only this website: www.midstatefair.com is the official online ticket purchase point for the California Mid-State Fair concerts. We are not affiliated with any third party ticket company or selling sites. We cannot guarantee that tickets purchased from other sources are legitimate nor will we be able to assist you if there is a problem with tickets purchased from such companies.

  11. What is the refund/exchange policy?

    ALL SALES ARE FINAL. NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.

  12. Can I bring in my own food?

    No, but don’t worry, there is plenty of food available from a wide array of vendors. You are sure to find something that suits your tastes. Baby food, formula, foods for medical conditions/dietary restrictions are allowed. 

  13. I lost something / I found something...

    Please fill out this form (CLOSED FOR 2023) if you found or lost an item at the Fair. All items found or turned in to Mid-State Fair staff, owner's will be contacted directly using the above filled out form.

  14. Do you offer shuttle service to and from the fairgrounds?

    Yes. We offer a FREE shuttle to and from the fairgrounds. Click HERE for the current pick-up locations and hours of operation. 

  15. Where can I park?

    Unfortunately, there is limited parking at the Fair. Our designated parking lot is located on Riverside Avenue directly across from the Paso Robles Event Center. We do offer a free shuttle service to and from the Fair. Click HERE for service times. 

  16. How much does parking cost?

    In the Paso Robles Event Center parking lot on Riverside Avenue, parking costs $25.00 per vehicle (CASH ONLY). Parking is limited and based on availability. There are no advance parking sales and no in-and-out privileges. No overnight parking.

  17. What should I wear?

    Warm days and cool evenings are the rule of thumb, but make sure you check the weather forecast before you arrive. It can be both very warm in the daytime and turn pretty cool after the sun goes down. Also, please remember that “closed toe” shoes are required for rides in the Carnival

  18. Are there group rates?

    We do not offer group rate discounts. However, there are multiple discounted theme days and other discount opportunities.

  19. Can I rent a stroller?

    No, strollers are not available to rent.

  20. Can I rent a wheelchair?

    Yes, a limited amount of wheelchairs and scooters are available for rent inside the Main Gate. First come, first served. You are also welcome to bring in your own wheelchair or scooter.

  21. Do you have lockers?

    Yes, we will store your belongings for $5.00 per bag at the information kiosk at the Main Quad.

  22. Can I take pictures at the Fair?

    Personal cameras are allowed, but professional cameras are not. Standard Lenses (17-50mm, 18-55mm, etc.) are allowed and Telephoto Lenses (24-70mm, 70-200mm, etc.) are not. Audio and video recording is strictly prohibited. Drones are strictly prohibited on and/or around the fairgrounds. Click here to learn more about our media policy. 

  23. Ticket Giveaways

    Please note that ticket giveaways, of any kind - concert, admission, carnival - must be approved by the California Mid-State Fair and/or Artist Management and are only allowed to be executed by sponsors of the California Mid-State Fair (unless otherwise authorized) with prior written consent. Any and all requests for ticket giveaways should be sent via email to sahvanna@midstatefair.com. Learn more HERE.

  24. How old do you have be to ride the carnival rides?

    There is no age restriction, but some rides have height limitations to ensure safety.

  25. Is smoking allowed on premises?

    The California Mid-State Fair is a smoke-free and vapor-free event. Smoking of any kind, including the use of pipes, e-cigarettes, vapors or similar devices of any kind, is prohibited. Thank you very much for your consideration!

  26. Can I bring in a pet?

    Service animals are permitted, but pets are not.

  27. How do I pay for things?

    Most concession/vendor booths are CASH and CARD. Entry gates and box office accept VISA/MC/AMEX (along with cash for purchase).

  28. Are there ATM machines?

    Yes, ATM machines are conveniently located throughout the grounds.

  29. Is there RV parking?

    There is no RV parking available in our parking lot.

  30. Public Safety Program

    The California Mid-State Fair provides a safe environment for families and all our guests, exhibitors, staff, volunteers and partners. The Fair has a Public Safety Program intended for deterring unwanted activities on the fairgrounds. We are pro-active in our desire to provide this positive experience. As a result, all bags, purses and personal belongings will be screened at entrance gates for contraband. Hand held metal detecting wands will be in use by fair staff. No weapons, food or alcohol will be allowed in. This includes pocket knives of any size or length. Other contraband includes items that would not be allowed onto a commercial airplane.

  31. What are the COVID-19 protocols?

    We will be following all State and County regulations that are in place.