EAST SAC ROTARY GOES TO CAL EXPO

We took a field trip to Cal Expo to meet with Rick Pickering, CEO of the California State Fair.  He shared an update on what's happening at Cal Expo and what to expect at the upcoming State Fair.  A warm and welcome invitation to come to the Fair was extended. Thank you Rick for a most informative talk about Cal Expo and the history of fairs and agriculture.

 
 

EAST SAC ROTARY GOES TO CAL EXPO

Rick Pickering, CEO of the California State Fair located at Cal Expo, started his presentation by sharing some highlights on the large Cal Expo map.  They cover 700 acres of land!  You could clearly see the burn scars from last year’s fire, the largest wild land fire ever in the Sacramento urban area.

Rick started his comments by sharing some history, beginning in 1812, of the creation of the Fair concept.  Back then US only trading partners were Great Britain and France.  They have their own issues of internal strife, which had direct impact on their imports of food to the US.  Back then royalty controlled agriculture worldwide.  Expeditions were primarily for food.  Ag is responsible for food!

Pittsfield, Mass. was the first event sharing and competing of Ag goods.   It presented techniques for growing and for food preparation and preservation.  This show created an environment of education and competition, spurring the Ag industry in a new way.

That event grew into the World’s Fair events.  They have been responsible for the seeds of lots of new technology – electricity, animatronics – Disney, UNICEF – It’s a Small World, Ford Motor Company, people movers, Treasure Island, Elvis Presley’s start in music, and on and on.   They brought people together to share and improve their communities and the world.  Fairs drive the economy, technology, engineering, science, math.  Agriculture is responsible for many of our inventions and technologies.

Agriculture industry is the #1 in the California economy.

The first annual Drone Races will be held at the State Fair this year.   Another important tool in Agricultural data collection.

The State Fair had updated its marketing theme, the Blue Ribbon, “It’s the Best”.  Seems like a perfect fit for this event.  You’ll be seeing the Blue Ribbon a lot from now on.

Rick mentions the importance to water and water conservation.  He shared many new water use technologies begin in their use in agriculture, like the microfiber tape water distribution systems. 

He mentioned Bonney Field and what a perfect fit that is to the Cal Expo area.  There is land available for other compatible endeavors and they are always looking for new uses.

This year they have started an opportunity for Non Profits to fundraise in conjunction with the Fair.  After signing up for this program, legal Non Profits can earn $1 per ticket purchased with their ID Code on line.  This has been well received in the Non Profit world and Rotary was encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.  I’m sure we will hear more about this soon.

A warm and welcome invitation to come to the Fair was extended.  Thank you Rick for a most informative talk about Cal Expo and the history of fairs and agriculture.