July in Paso Robles means it's time for the Mid-State Fair. Since 1946, this fair has been held annually in July, running for 12 days. Bring the entire family to the Paso Robles Event Center, where there are two separate carnival areas this year, a brand new Pavilion featuring 100,000 square feet of exhibit space and other new attractions. The Main Grandstand Arena stage will feature performances by Zac Brown Band, Lionel Richie, Keith Urban, Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons and more!
 
Wine Night
The California Mid-State Fair (July 19-30) will hold its much-anticipated Wine Night at Mission Square on July 21. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the winemakers and taste the 40 Gold Medal-winning wines from this year’s Central Coast Wine Competition (CCWC). The evening will culminate with the CCWC’s award ceremony announcing this year’s award winner for Winery of the Year. Wine Night will present awards honoring Winemaker of the Year, Christian Roguenant of Niven Family Wine Estates; Industry Person of the Year, Jason Haas, of Tablas Creek Vineyard; and Winegrape Grower of the Year, Lino Bozzano of Laetitia Vineyard & Winery. 
Tickets for Wine Night are $30 on http://eventbrite.com, and $40 at the event, and does not include fair admission. 
Location: Paso Robles Event Center - Mission Square 2198 Riverside Avenue 
Time: Friday, July 21, 2017 - Walk-Around Gold Medal Tasting from 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Awards Presentation at 6:30 PM 
 
Public Contests
Come One, Come All! and join us at the 2017 California Mid-State Fair where you can participate in our fun and friendly public contests! The daily contests will begin each night at 6:00 pm in the new Rancho Frontier area. For the cupcake challenge, locally grown salsa and apple pie baking, please bring your entry to the Fair’s Administration Office on the specified date at 5:00 pm, at which time you (the participant) will receive complimentary admission.
Below is a list of each of our contests:
Wednesday, July 19- Watermelon Eating Contest: Each contestant will be given a slice of watermelon, when the MC says “GO!” the contestants will keep their hands behind their back and the first person to finish their slice wins. Come One, Come All and enter on site!
Tuesday, July 20- Let's Clown Around: Each participant will choose a partner and paint each other’s faces in 5 minutes, then they will participate in a clown fashion show.
Friday, July 21- Sponge Toss/Junk in Your Trunk: These events will be especially for our Fathers and Daughters (Sponge Toss) and Mothers and Sons (Junk in Your Trunk). Throw wet sponges at dad and shake all of the ping pong balls out with mom!
Saturday, July 22- Cupcake Challenge: Cupcakes will be judged based on their appearance 50% and taste 50%.
Sunday, July 23- Locally Grown Salsa: With two categories, salsas will be judged based on the contestants best use of local produce 50% and taste 50%.
Monday, July 24- Kerplunk: The goal is to get the stick out without making any balls sitting on top fall through, if any do fall through, the person who made them fall collects them and once the last ball has fallen, the player with the fewest wins the game.
Tuesday, July 25- Apple Pie Baking: With two categories, apple pies will be judged based on thepie’s appearance 15%, crust 15%, texture 20% and flavor 50%.
Wednesday, July 26- "Walmart" Junior Fashion Show: Contestants will come dressed and ready to model at the Rancho Frontier Stage in two categories, single item and outfit (two or more pieces).
Thursday, July 27- Carnival Game Relay: Our fun, themed relay race activity to see who is the fastest!
Friday, July 28- Texas Donut Challenge: Compete in our donut eating challenge “Minute to Win It!”
Saturday, July 29- Pie Eating Contest: Each participant will race to finish the pie in front of them!
Sunday, July 30- Watermelon Eating Contest: Each contestant will be given a slice of watermelon, when the MC says “GO!” the contestants will keep their hands behind their back and the first person to finish their slice wins. Come One, Come All and enter on site!
The 2017 California Mid-State Fair runs July 19 through July 30. This year’s theme is “Come One, Come All!”
 
Mutton Bustin' Kids
The California Mid-State Fair will showcase young riders in the return of Mutton Bustin’ in the Chumash Grandstand Arena on Saturday, July 29, at 6:30 pm and
Sunday, July 30, at 2:00 pm. Children must be between the ages of 4 and 7 and not weigh more than 60 pounds. There will be two (2) Mutton Bustin' Competitions, one on Saturday, July 29 at 6:30 pm (immediately before the Country Rodeo Finals at 7:00 pm) and one on Sunday, July 30 at 2:00 pm (immediately before the Fiesta Del Charro at 2:30 pm). There will be ten (10) children chosen for each of the two Mutton Bustin' Competitions.
Parents interested in applying to have a child perform can apply online at http://bit.ly/2sEwVNN or find the link on the Fair’s website at http://www.MidStateFair.com. Deadline to apply is 5:00 pm this Sunday, July 23.