Uneasy Rhetoric

It’s time for the California State Fair! I don’t know whether the fair is fun or just stressful, but I sort-of enjoyed it enough last year that I’ll probably go back, and, like last year, I’ll take the bus.

For $3 round trip, as opposed to $7 in parking plus gas and aggravation, you can get the bus to take you right up to the entrance to the fairgrounds and pick you up when you’re ready to leave. The 67/68 route will be running every 15 minutes (every 30 minutes in the early morning and late evening on weekends and Labor Day) throughout the fair. This route connects to light rail at the 29th and R street station. Download a PDF schedule.

Even if you have ass-crappy bus service in your neighborhood (about 90% of the city), consider visiting a park-and-ride and experience the wonder that is light rail.

If you’re really ambitious, the fair is offering FREE (as in money) supervised (aka “valet”) bicycle parking. Rumor has it they will also be giving $2 off admission to people who bike to the fair (according to the SABA email list), but I haven’t been able to confirm that. I know it’s possible to get to Cal Expo from the American River Bike Trail – it would be nice if the Fair’s website included good bicycle directions.

And until Carl finds his angel investor, the State Fair is the closest thing we’ve got to the Fried Food Festivus.