We sent 2 reporters to the Mid-State Fair. Here’s what they say you can’t miss

The annual California Mid-State Fair is back in full swing in Paso Robles, drawing visitors from across the Central Coast for sweet treats, carnival rides and performances.

In honor of the beloved annual event’s return, we sent Tribune reporters Sasha Tuddenham and Angel Corzo to check some of the attractions on opening day.

From rides to a treats, here’s everything they say you shouldn’t miss.

Rides, rides and more rides

If you’re looking for somewhere to spin and swing for the day, this is the place to be.

Our first stab at the rides was a drop tower known as the Super Shot.

Its height was deceptive from the ground, and after strapping into the seat and slowly rising to the top, tensions were high — literally.

You could see the entire Fair as you rose up; high enough to spot Highway 101 traffic next door. The angled roof above each seat made it impossible to know where the top of this ride ended.

What felt like an eternity to reach the top turned into seconds of an intense stomach dropping trip down, along with the loudest scream one of us has let out in awhile.

Safe to say we were off to a good start.

There were three words to describe the Alpine Slide at the Fair: small but fierce.

This slide seemed like a calmer approach for us, attracting younger fair-goers and families. We decided to race to the bottom in an attempt to raise the stakes.

One of us won — but at the cost of a speedier than anticipated trip to the bottom that almost took out a kid and shot Angel close to the exit gate 7 feet ahead.

After the near-miss on the slide, we followed the crowds to one of the Fair’s infamous thrill rides. This brought us to the Vertigo: a towering rainbow structure surrounded by pairs of metal swings.

Buckling the straps, we felt the ground fall away as we slowly rose over the Fair. It felt like flying, our feet dangled like the Soarin’ Around the World ride at Disneyland. Spinning faster and faster, the swings lifted and flared outward, giving us a view of Paso Robles from above.

Amid our shrieking, the minute we spent spinning in the air whizzed by. We stumbled off of the swings, ready for the next ride.

With our questionable driving skills, the bumper cars were for sure an evening standout.

Kids unleashed their inner race car driver, giving us whiplash with every hit. The competitive energy shimmered off of the cars’ iridescent paint, making them look like they popped out of a video game.

Kids shouted trash talk like ‘Don’t even try it!’ and ‘Not today!’ as they spun their wheels like F1 drivers, swerving to dodge the inevitable jolt of a rival bumper car slamming into them.

Our driving skills were put to the test. The cars had a mind of their own and we quickly learned that you just had to let the car take control.

A day at the Fair is nothing without a ride on the Ferris wheel.

The Diamond Observation Wheel was a smooth ride to close out our experience and debrief the day. Taking two spins around the wheel, we watched crowds of visitors line up for their turn on some of the more stomach-turning rides.

Lemonade, nachos and cinnamon rolls cap off Fair food

Of course we couldn’t leave the Fair without checking out the food booths brimming with classic carnival treats.

From giant corndogs to pineapples filled with Dole Whip, we had a tough time deciding what to try first.

With the sun beating down, it was toasty enough to call for some lemonade. Tart and seemingly freshly squeezed, one regular was enough for us to share.

We wanted to check out some of the snacks and wandered through booths of pickles and hot dogs.

Settling on nachos with cheese and jalapeno peppers, it was the epitome of fair food. Drowning in cheese, the peppers gave the nachos a nice kick.

We finished the night with a Pismo Beach classic: Old West Cinnamon Rolls. Just as warm and gooey as the cinnamon rolls at their home bakery, the rolls were the perfect treat to end the day.

For more information

The California Mid-State Fair runs until July 27.

It will be open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to midnight, and Friday through Sunday from noon to midnight.

Tickets are available now at midstatefair.com.

This story was originally published July 17, 2025 at 2:52 PM.