Inside Paso Robles

Friday, July 19 - Today at the California Mid-State Fair

Brantley Gilbert - App's Photography

The 2013 California Mid State Fair, whose theme this year is “Start Spreading the News” officially kicked off on Wednesday with Tim McGraw breaking in the Chumash Grandstand Arena.  Last night, Brantley Gilbert and Trace Adkins rocked the house country-style!   

What’s Happening Tonight in the Chumash Grandstand Arena?

At 7:30pm, Adam Lambert kicks off the festivities with his American Idol cohort Allison Iraheta opening the show.  Head on out to the fairgrounds and enjoy a warm summer night and some great music!

More about Adam: In 2009, Lambert was the runner-up on the 8th season of “American Idol”. His first album For Your Entertainment sold nearly two million copies worldwide and 4.2 million singles worldwide. Last year, he released Trespassing and the album debuted at the #1 position on the Top of the US Billboard Album chart. He is best known for his hits “Whataya Want From Me”, “If I Had You” and “Better Than I Know Myself”.

Citing influence from various artists and genres, Lambert has a high-energy, theatrical

Trace Adkins- App's Photography

performance style, and a powerful voice with multi-octave range. He has received numerous awards and nominations, including a Grammy Award nomination for “Best Male Pop Vocal Performance” in 2011. (credit to California Mid-State Fair)

FREE Shows  (free with paid admission to the Mid State Fair)

Fort Frontier Stage: Keb’ Mo’ at 8:30pm

Headliner Stage: Dance Performance at 5:30pm and 7pm  

Mission Square: Moonshiner at 6:30 and 8:30pm

Paso Pete’s Ponderosa Stage: Morning DJ Drive Competition at 6pm

What’s happening today: Cutting horse shows, rabbit show, Mutton Bustin’, PRWCA Wine Industry Awards and of course, the Barn Dance! For a full line-up of today's schedule and activities, click here.

Full Fair Schedule: For all of the fair happenings, click here.

What are you waiting for?  Dust off your old boots and mosey down to the California Mid-State Fair! 

Photo Credit: For the second year in a row, we are proudly featuring the photography of Brittany App of App’s Photography. Be sure to check back daily for the schedule of events and the amazing talent of App’s Photography.

Tina Swithin is the Marketing Coordinator and Blog Manager for TravelPaso.com where she writes blog-a-licious Paso Robles articles.  Tina is also a Huffington Post contributor where she covers family travel and "hidden gems" in California. Follow the Paso Robles Insider to get the inside scoop on all the haps in Paso Robles Wine Country.

Farmers: The Backbone of Paso Robles

Photo courtesy of North County Farmer's Markets

by Matt Browne

As Paso Robles becomes known as a wine destination, which my wife and I happen to absolutely love, the real story of this quaint town begins with the farms and farmers from the founding days to today. I’m a big believer that the backbone of a place like Paso Robles is, in fact, the farmers. Their work often goes unrecognized and is more often than not taken for granted. We show up at the farmer’s markets or the grocery stores and typically don’t even begin to fathom the hard work and sacrifice that brought that produce, fruit, or meat to our fingertips.

From living here in Paso Robles I have started to understand, appreciate, and see all that goes into the produce on the tables at the farmer’s markets. The most amazing thing is the huge movement we’ve all seen about fresh, sustainable, and local ingredients. I think this is one of the best shifts we’ve seen and I feel

Photo courtesy of Travel Paso Robles Alliance

extremely fortunate to be living right here in Paso Robles through this movement. Two events that are held locally that highlight this are Sunset’s Savor the Central Coast and the Earth Day Food & Wine Festival…absolutely superb events!

Most of our local restaurants are huge into buying any and all seasonal ingredients they can from our local farmers and ranchers. When my wife and I go to the farmer’s markets we see so many people lining up, more than I’ve seen in the past. Paso Robles has the Olive Festival, the Lavender Festival, many wine festivals, as well as the aforementioned farmer’s market in the downtown park. In addition to all of that, Paso has numerous farms and ranches that welcome visitors, such as: Windrose Farm, Jack Creek Farms, Hollyhock Farms, Mt. Olive Organic Farm, Olea Farms, and so many more.

It may just be that I’m growing up but I think it has more to do with the people of Paso Robles as to why I’ve become more intrigued and interested in farming and the importance of farming. When you purchase something at your farmer’s market you are helping to support a local family and most often a small family business. When you make these purchases you also know you’re getting something that’s incredibly fresh and from your area (rather than being trucked in from who knows where).

Next time you visit Paso Robles (or if you’re a local you should do this too) do some sightseeing at some of these local farms in between your wine tasting. Talk to the farmers and tour the farm…do some olive oil tasting and grab some lavender as well as a bottle of wine. Support these people that are tending to the land and continuing a long history of farming in this amazing little area that I call home.

Matt is a 10-year Paso Robles area resident. He and his wife Annie love exploring the Central Coast looking for food, drinks, and adventure. You can follow their adventures on their blog at HootnAnnie. 

 

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".

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".

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.