Inside Paso Robles

The California Mid State Fair in Paso Robles: July 26, 2012

by Tina Swithin

I have been fortunate enough to see several concerts at the  California Mid State Fair this year including last night's HUGE performance with Easton Corbin, The Band Perry and the headliner, Brad Paisley.  I have been to a lot of concerts in my lifetime but last night's show was one of the best that I have ever seen.  If you have an opportunity to catch these guys on tour, I highly recommend it.  What a show!     

Brittany App sent over a few photos from last night's stellar performance.  Enjoy!     

Tonight the California Mid State Fair is proud to welcome Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and Paul Rodgers.  Here are just a few of the things on tap for today:   

Here just a few things going on at the fair for Thursday, July 26th, 2012:

• Team Roping
• Swine, Goat and Sheep Showmanship
• Sewing Machines Demonstration with Sew Fun
• Mutton Bustin’
• Olive Oil Demonstration 
• Local Chef of the Day – Cass Winery & Catering
• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Free Stage)
• Steve Sturgis & Roadhouse (Free Stage)
• KJUG Barn Dance
• Headlining Act: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts AND Paul Rodgers

 

Check the full Daily Mid-State Fair schedule, throw on your best boots and enjoy the concerts and activities that only the fair can provide.  For a full list of lodging options, please visit the Travel Paso Robles Alliance.

Brittany App, Photographer & Vagabond, is the Official Photographer for the California Mid State Fair. Throughout the rest of the year, she photographs life & love, and has been known to ride her bicycle really really long distances.  She invites you to join her journey across the United States, with  "Water Tension : A Web Series".

The California Mid State Fair in Paso Robles: Brad Paisley, The Band Perry and Easton Corbin

by Tina Swithin

I have heard from several sources that last night's concert was phenomenal with Loverboy, Pat Benatar and Journey taking over the Chumash Grandstand Arena.  Due to the power of social media and minute-by-minute updates, I felt like I was in the front row! 

Speaking of 'front row', I have a connection who is front and center (and backstage!) for every show.  The official photographer for the California Mid State Fair is none other than the amazing Brittany App and she is kind enough to keep me stocked with photos from every concert at the fair.  Here are a couple of great shots from last night's performance.      

The California Mid State Fair is proud to welcome three fabulous bands tonight to the main grandstand.  I will personally be in attandance and I can't wait!!!  I look forward to seeing you at the fair as Brad Paisley, The Band Perry and Easton Corbin take over Paso Robles!

Here are just a few of the things on tap for today:  

Here just a few things going on at the fair for Wednesday, July 25th, 2012:

• Stock horse show, breeding beef show, dairy cow show and market steer show
• New Fresh Flowers
• Sewing Machines & Quilting Demonstration
• Mutton Bustin’
• Olive Oil Demonstration 
• Artistry In Motion and Academy of Dance
• Local Chef of the Day – McGees Catering
• Piano Madness
• Debby Boone (Free Stage)
• Acoustify (Free Stage)
• KJUG Barn Dance
• Headlining Act: Brad Paisley w/ The Band Perry & Easton Corbin

Check the full Daily Mid-State Fair schedule, throw on your best boots and enjoy the concerts and activities that only the fair can provide.  For a full list of lodging options, please visit the Travel Paso Robles Alliance.

Brittany App, Photographer & Vagabond, is the Official Photographer for the California Mid State Fair. Throughout the rest of the year, she photographs life & love, and has been known to ride her bicycle really really long distances.  She invites you to join her journey across the United States, with  "Water Tension : A Web Series".

Tonight at the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles- Journey with Pat Benatar & Loverboy

by Tina Swithin

Last night night's performance by Big Time Rush was enough to make you dance in (or on!) your seat at California Mid State Fair ! I spoke to the Mid State Fair's official photographer, Brittany App, who gave me an update from inside the Chumash Grandstand Arena: "Big Time Rush performed as an opening act at last year's fair, and came back to headline their own show this year in a big way.  It was a great show with thousands of screaming fans and a truly impressive stage set complete with pyrotechnics & trampolines.  All of the guys in the band were super nice and welcoming to their fans backstage during the meet & greet!".

The California Mid State Fair is pleased to welcome Journey tonight along with Pat Benatar and Loverboy who will be rocking the Chumash Grandstand Arena starting at 7:30pm.  I encourage you to get out to the fairgrounds early for a full day of festivities.  Here are just a few of the things on tap for today:  

Here just a few things going on at the fair for Tuesday, July 24th, 2012:

• Hog, Lamb and Goat Show
• Snaffle Bit Futurity
• Sewing Machines & Quilting Demonstration
• Mutton Bustin’
• Olive Oil Demonstration 
• Zoo to You
• Local Chef of the Day – Jeffry’s Catering
• Sand’s Apple Pie Contest
• Piano Madness
• Los Lonely Boys (Free Stage)
• KJUG Barn Dance
• Headlining Act: Journey w/ Pat Benatar & Loverboy

Check the full Daily Mid-State Fair schedule, throw on your best boots and enjoy the concerts and activities that only the fair can provide.  For a full list of lodging options, please visit the Travel Paso Robles Alliance.

Brittany App, Photographer & Vagabond, is the Official Photographer for the California Mid State Fair. Throughout the rest of the year, she photographs life & love, and has been known to ride her bicycle really really long distances.  She invites you to join her journey across the United States, with  "Water Tension : A Web Series".

California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles: Weekend Festivities

by Tina Swithin

While I wasn't able to attend, I heard from many sources that Alabama rocked the California Mid State Fair in a big way last night.  If you missed the show, I was able to get a few fabulous photos from the amazing Brittany App to share with you. 

Here just a few things going on at the fair for Saturday, July 21st and Sunday, July 22nd. 

Saturday

• Cutting Horse Show
• Mutton Bustin’
• 4H Dog Show
• Olive Oil Demonstration
• Dance Shows
• Local Chef of the Day – 10th St. Basque Café
• Cupcake Challenge
• Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Free stage)
• KJUG Barn Dance
• Headlining Act: The Mavericks w/ special guest

Sunday

• Sheep Dog Trials
• Mutton Bustin’
• Draft Horse Show
• Olive Oil Demonstration
• Cake Decorating Demonstration
• Kutless (Free stage)
• KJUG Barn Dance
• Headlining Act: The Fresh Beat Band

Check the full Daily Mid-State Fair schedule, throw on your best boots and enjoy the concerts and activities that only the fair can provide.  For a full list of lodging options, please visit the Travel Paso Robles Alliance.

Brittany App, Photographer & Vagabond, is the Official Photographer for the California Mid State Fair. Throughout the rest of the year, she photographs life & love, and has been known to ride her bicycle really really long distances.  She invites you to join her journey across the United States, with  "Water Tension : A Web Series".

The California Mid State Fair in Paso Robles: July 19, 2012

This year, we are pleased to be working with photographer, Brittany App who will be giving us a sneak peek into the festivities at the California Mid State Fair each and every day.  

Here are a couple photos from the cattle drive as it arrived at the south gate of the fair on Wednesday to kick off the fair. 

Here just a few things going on at the fair for Thursday, July 19, 2012. 

• Mutton Bustin’
• Olive Oil Demonstration
• Local Chef of the Day – Colby Jack Café 
• Farmer’s Favorite Cobbler & Crisps Contest
• Paul Revere & The Raiders
• KJUG Barn Dance 
• Headlining Act: Zac Brown Band

 

Check the full Daily Mid-State Fair schedule, throw on your best boots and enjoy the concerts and activities that only the fair can provide.  For a full list of lodging options, please visit the Travel Paso Robles Alliance.

Brittany App, Photographer & Vagabond, is the Official Photographer for the California Mid State Fair. Throughout the rest of the year, she photographs life & love, and has been known to ride her bicycle really really long distances.  She invites you to join her journey across the United States, with  "Water Tension : A Web Series".

 

The California Mid State Fair in Paso Robles Kicks Off Today!

by Tina Swithin

The 2012 Mid State Fair, “The Great American Road Trip” kicks off today and I am so excited about this year’s line-up of fun, concerts and funnel cake!  This year, the main grandstand plays host to Eric Church, who kicks off opening night (tonight!) followed by Zac Brown Band, Alabama, The Fresh Beat Band, Big Time Rush, Journey (with Pat Benatar & Loverboy), Brad Paisley (with The Band Perry & Easton Corbin), Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and Earth, Wind & Fire. 

The California Mid-State Fair’s Chumash Grandstand Arena has over 14,600 seats which is a large venue by most county or state fair standards.  And with this many seats, it is a natural draw for past performers and big-name talents like the Black Eyed Peas, Aerosmith and Carrie Underwood to entertain fans in Paso Robles.  I spoke to Tom Keffury of the California Mid-State Fair who said this, “The Chumash Arena is what really sets the California Mid-State Fair apart from the typical county fair. The California Mid-State has the usual corn dog stands, carnival, pig races and unique vendors that sell anything from shoe polish to sunglasses, but in addition to all that, the California Mid-State Fair has an incredible venue for outdoor concerts, unlike any other county Fair.”  As someone who has been personally attending the Mid State Fair for over 25 years, I couldn't agree more. 

Year after year, I am thoroughly impressed with the line-up on the free stages.  This year fair-goers can look forward to names such as Puddle of Mud, Kenney Wayne Shepherd and Uncle Kracker along with a set of local favorites like the Sugar Daddy Swing Kings, Bangin’ 58’s and Dan Curio of Still Time.  Did I mention that these are all FREE?  

Backstage with Brittany App:
This year, we are pleased to be working with photographer, Brittany App who will be giving us a sneak peek into the festivities at the California Mid State Fair.  Last night’s photos captured the Miss California Mid-State Fair Pageant which is an annual pre-fair tradition.  Throughout the next eleven days, be sure to keep an eye out for the newly crowned court consisting of the Queen Savannah Hoagland and 1st Runner Up, Megan Rodrigues along with 2nd Runner Up, Alex Lambirth. 

• Brittany’s Bio: Brittany App, Photographer & Vagabond, is the Official Photographer for the California Mid State Fair. Throughout the rest of the year, she photographs life & love, and has been known to ride her bicycle really really long distances.  She invites you to join her journey across the United States, with "Water Tension : A Web Series".
• Photo Credits: Brittany App

Check the Daily Mid-State Fair schedule, throw on your best boots and enjoy the concerts and activities that only the fair can provide.  For a full list of lodging options, please visit the Travel Paso Robles Alliance.  

Tina Swithin is the Marketing Coordinator and Blog Manager for TravelPaso.com where she writes  blog-a-licious articles about Paso Robles.  Follow the Paso Robles Insider to get the inside scoop on all the haps in Paso Robles Wine Country.

Agritourism is a Summer Must-Do in Paso Robles

By Caroline Beteta, President & CEO, Visit California

Barbeques, pool parties, fun in the sun. To many Americans these are iconic summertime experiences.  And while summer in California is filled with lazy days on the beach and fun splashing poolside, the Golden State holds so much more for summer travelers. As visitors learn more about California and its diverse offerings, more and more choose to head out of the cities to explore many expressions of the California lifestyle. This hunger for all things California forecasts a big boom for agritourism in Paso Robles this summer.

Californians are free-spirits, trend setters and innovators, but are also in touch with their roots. The curiosity about how food is grown and the desire for new experiences attract visitors to enjoy farmers’ and ranchers’ lands and livelihoods. Visit California, the state’s official tourism marketing board, sees agritourism as a valuable sector that supports the local and state economy by providing jobs and revenue.

Agritourism activities in and surrounding Paso Robles aren’t hard to come by. Paso Robles kicks off summer with the California Mid-State Fair, an agricultural based fair showcasing farmers, ranchers, and the local wine and artisan food scene in Paso Robles, as well as a high profile line up of music performersa concert series attracting music lovers and thrill seekers from neighboring communities and those visiting the area. Along with concertsthe fair, food and wine festivals such as the Central Coast Lavender Festival, and the Paso Robles Olive Festival, both free to attend, draw visitors to Paso Robles increasing hotel stays, dining, shopping and other extra visiting expenditures.

Located in the Central Coast region, one of California’s popular tourist destinations, Paso Robles benefits from agritourism. In 2011, tourism in the Central Coast injected more than $6 billion in direct travel spending into the local economy, directly supported more than 68,000 jobs and generated $416 million in local tax and fee revenue, according to research by Visit California.

Visit California markets the California experience and the California lifestyle– cuisine, wine, music, adventure and more – to travelers on a national and international level. California is the top travel destination in the United States and is ranked as the largest agriculture producing state in the country. As you can imagine, we have a great opportunity to benefit from visitor spending in agritourism. And next time you go to these events, think of it as your personal contribution to the local economy.

About Visit California

Visit California (formerly known as the California Travel & Tourism Commission) is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to Visit California, travel and tourism expenditures total $102.3 billion annually in California (20 percent of which is international), support jobs for 893,000 Californians and generates $6.3 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about Visit California go to www.visitcalifornia.com.

Caroline Beteta's blog is a part of the Travel Paso Robles Alliance guest blogger series.

Experience Paso Robles Wine Country in a Horse Drawn Carriage

by Tina Swithin

There is always something new to discover in Paso Robles, which is one of the many things that I love about this area.  A few weeks ago, I received a call from Morgan at Midnight Cellars who was eager to share news about the newest business to "trot" onto the Paso Robles wine scene.  If you are questioning my choice of words, let me explain that this business did in fact "trot" into Paso Robles.

If you are planning to indulge in the Paso Robles wine tasting experience, there are a variety of ways to visit tasting rooms: limos, wine tours, trolleys and now carriage rides!  Yes, I did say ‘carriage rides’.  White Horse Carriage Co. is a welcomed addition to Paso Robles, providing wine tasting excursions by horse-drawn carriage.  You can sit back and enjoy the rolling hills, vines and fresh air from the comfort of a lovingly restored Victorian-era carriage.  Their tours include two to four boutique tasting rooms and a light picnic lunch in the midst of a local vineyard or can be catered to your individual needs.    

I couldn’t help but smile as we rode through beautiful Paso Robles while listening to the therapeutic "clippity-clop" of hooves with Angel, a 12-year old Spanish Norman Carriage Horse at the helm.  Angel isn't just any horse; she is a stunning white horse who has a gentle soul and a strong passion for pulling her carriage.  Her enthusiasm shows with every step that she takes.  Madaline explained, "You can tell Angel is happy when her ears are perked forward and there is a zealous spring in her step." I would be happy also if I got to experience the beautiful wine country every day with a backdrop of rolling hills and vineyards.  

On my adventure with Kari, Madaline and Angel, I also discovered that the age old saying, "Love and marriage goes together like a horse and carriage" is actually alive and well in Paso Robles.  Madaline and Kari are eager to make your fairytale wedding a reality.  What bride doesn't dream of being taken to the alter by a beautiful white horse-drawn carriage?  For those planning to “pop the question”, they can assist you with the first step in that process-asking for her hand in marriage.  As their website states, "She will tell the story to friends and family for the rest of her life... create a fairytale that she will never forget".

Whether you are planning a day of wine tasting, a romantic proposal or a grand entrance to your wedding day festivities; White Horse Carriage Co. is an experience that I highly recommend.  Want to see more?  I leave you with their official video in which you can pretend to be trotting through the vineyards in style.

 White Horse Carriage Co.
805-296-2289
[email protected]

 

Tina Swithin is the Marketing Coordinator and Blog Manager for TravelPaso.com where she writes  blog-a-licious articles about Paso Robles.  Follow the Paso Robles Insider to get the inside scoop on all the haps in Paso Robles Wine Country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Paso Robles' First Horsemen’s Re-Union

An interview with Kimber Black

The Horsemen's Re-Union is a brand new event that is bringing together world-famous horsemen for a 6-day clinic in Paso Robles. Chris Cox, Martin Black and many more famous names in the equestrian world will be on hand throughout the week to pass their amazing horse knowledge on to attendees.

Q: So we hear that your event is causing some major excitment in the horse world, can you tell us about it?

A: The Horsemen’s Re-Union is 20 Horsemen, 40 un-started colts, 6 days and a whole lot of fun packed into the Paso Robles Event Center, April 2-7, 2012. There will be 2 main sessions of colt starting daily.  The morning session will run from 9a-12noon with a break for lunch and back to the arena for the afternoon session that runs from 1pm -4pm.  Horse enthusiasts from all over the world are making their plans to attend.  Check our website www.horsemensreunion.com for weekly updates. 

Q: You have packed some action into the week, can you break down the schedule?

A: In addition to the daily colt starting, you will find the Horsemen’s Market Place open daily from 11am -7pm with plenty of western paraphernalia.  Chuck Wagons will provide 3 square meals every day.   If that’s not enough to get you going, each day at 4:30pm you can meet and greet, rub elbows, chat, and get an autographed picture with the Horsemen.   All the while, Western Jam sessions will be taking place in and around the arena.  The music will be improvised in cowboy fashion with talented friends from near and far.

Tuesday at 5:30pm come listen to Dr. Stephen Peters talk about Evidence Based Horsemanship, where real information is gathered by observation, tested in the field and validated by science. 

Next on Wednesday don’t miss your chance to join the Calcutta in the Horsemen’s Calf Branding and your chance to rope a calf with your favorite horsemen. 

The Horsemen’s Re-Union event revs up on Thursday with the Calcutta and Horsemen’s Goat Roping at 5pm followed by a Country Music Concert featuring Dave Stamey and J. Parson at 7pm.  

Friday is a big day.  The afternoon colt session will be followed by a CampDraft competition, then on to the Horsemen’s Benefit Dinner.  There will be a silent and live auction followed by live performances featuring Baxter Black and Red Steagall.This dinner will sell out!  Go online and purchase tickets before March 15th at  www.horsemensreunion.com/tickets.php 

The final colt session will take place Saturday morning from 9am – 12noon. The Grand Finale will be a live auction of the colts at 2pm in the main arena.

(Here is a copy of the Daily Schedule so you don't miss anything.)

Q: And we hear there is a worthy cause involved.

A: Yes, part of the Proceeds from our Dinner will benefit The Western Wishes Charitable Fund.   Western Wishes helps children and their families who are met with adversity by granting wishes and making dreams come true. 

If you have any questions about this event please go to www.horsemensreunion.com or contact Kimber Black at 805.440.4693 or [email protected] to get more details.

 

What in the world is a Cutting Horse Derby?

by Shonna Howenstine, Tourism Coordinator

Paso Robles plays host to two large cutting horse events each year. The annual Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association Derby/Challenge happens at the Paso Robles Event Center March 13-18, 2012. I recently had the opportunity to interview the Director of the PCCHA, Phil Benadum about the show. Along with throwing down some horse lingo, he also provided some helpful information about their next event.

SH: Hey Phil, long time no see. What have you been up to since the Futurity? 

PB: We just finished our 2011 PCCHA Convention and Year End Awards Banquet at the Harris Ranch Hotel in Coalinga, Ca.  This is where we highlight the grass roots "Weekend Cutter"(aka the beginning cutting horse competitor).  We had a nice turnout and a lot of great ideas came out of our Convention. We will be putting some of them to good use during the Derby in March.