Mozart, Shakespeare, and corndogs … not necessarily 
in that order

Take a Ride on the Wild Side at the annual California Mid State Fair, happening July 22 through Aug. 2 in Paso Robles. Get your tickets now.

Find live music, rodeos, pony rides, bull riding, prize farm animals, arts and crafts displays, live entertainment, carnival rides, monster trucks, wine tasting, pig races, tea party, meat goat and swine showmanship, quilting demos, square dancers, diaper derby, barn dance, food, talent show—whew! And much more.

Live music—local and beyond

Heart, Tim McGraw, KISS, Rancho Deluxe, Mud Skippers, Black Eyed Peas, The Banging 58s, Monte Mills, Jerome Washington Express, Lady Antebellum, Yosemite Jazz Band, Cross Canadian Ragweed, The Wailers, Sugar Daddy Swing Kings, and Eddie Money are just a few of the performers.


Go green at the fair

Mid State Fair Shuttle Service is provided by AmericanStar Trailways. Ride safe and comfortable shuttle service for $10 round trip to and from these locations: Santa Maria Town Center Mall in Santa Maria, Vons in Nipomo, Albertsons in Arroyo Grande, Ralph’s in San Luis Obispo, Vets Hall in San Luis Obispo, and Rite-Aid in Atascadero. Drop off and pick up point is South Gate at the fairgrounds. Round-trip wristbands can be purchased for $10 on the bus or at AmericanStar Trailways (info: 543-9999). Net proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

The shuttle service runs noon-midnight at the Mid State Fairgrounds, 2198 Riverside Ave. in Paso Robles. Info and tickets: 1-800-909-FAIR or midstatefair.com.


Wait! There’s more …

In addition, and leading up to the fair, check out the ongoing Shakespeare and Mozart festivals.

Central Coast Shakespeare Festival presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Treasure Island, alternating through Aug.15 at River Oaks Amphitheatre, 800 Clubhouse Drive in Paso Robles. Performances begin at 7:30pm, Sunday matinees begin at 5pm. Tickets cost 
$18-$20. Info: centralcoastshakespeare.org or 546-4224.

Festival Mozaic celebrates all that is Mozart, and more, throughout SLO County July 16-26 under Music Director Scott Yoo. Info: 781-3008 or festivalmozaic.com.

Can you find one reason to leave SLO County this summer? I can’t.