FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Norb  Bartosik, General Manager
916-416-0133
Brian May, Deputy General Manager
916-416-1125

Sacramento – At the December 9 meeting of the Cal Expo Board of Directors, members unanimously approved a motion to exercise their option, under the current agreement with the California Harness Horsemen’s Association (CHHA), not to operate or manage harness racing at Cal Expo after August 23, 2012. Such action would not impact the Winter Spring Harness Meet at Cal Expo beginning December 30, 2011.

The Board indicated they believed a new operator with financial capacity is needed to put the harness industry back on solid footing. The Board directed staff to do everything possible to work with CHHA to find a new operator that allows harness racing to continue and successfully operate at Cal Expo.

We hope you enjoy all the family fun at the Harvest Festival this year!
November 18-20, 2011

Saturday, November 12th 8am-2pm

For more info click here

Beginning at 8 a.m., there will be an “Empty Shoes” memorial tribute of 2970 pairs of shoes on the island in front of the Main Gate at Cal Expo to represent on who lost their lives on that day.

The Cal Expo gates will open at 8 a.m. and the public will be invited to attend a program including a motorcycle tribute, prayers, choral group, para-jumper delivering the American flag, playing of the National Anthem, and memorial messages by Eric Hogue, Amy Bartlet, Tom McClintock and Michael Babich.

The California State Fair September 11 Memorial Plaza will be open to the general public at 10:30 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 11th, the tenth anniversary of the attack on the United States. Parking at Cal Expo this day will be free and admission to the memorial will be free.

The construction of the Cal Expo memorial began a year after the attack, when Cal Expo board member Larry Davis personally acquired and donated to Cal Expo 125,000 pounds of wreckage from the World Trade Center. A massive I-beam extracted from Ground Zero, which had been a horizontal support beam from the North Tower, was among the debris. Davis personally arranged for the wreckage to be shipped via rail to California.

Through private donations to the California State Fair Memorial Plaza Foundation a 501c (3), the exhibit was been expanded to include additional elements. Central to the exhibit is a beautiful fountain including a granite ball inscribed with all of the names of the September 11 victims. Additional features include a carillon bell tower, reflections of the World Trade Center, and individual memorials to Flight 77 which crashed into the Pentagon and Flight # 93 aborted in a field in Pennsylvania.

Download the Press Release for September 11

Advance sale tickets to this event are now on sale (while the supply lasts) at all Dimple Records outlets. Tickets to this traditional celebration are $10. Designated Driver tickets will be available at the door for $5 the day of the event. Attendees must be 21 years of age and older.

Oktoberfest officials announced the event will again feature Volkz Brau a custom- brewed ale made specifically for the Cal Expo Oktoberfest. A variety of brews will be available for $5 each and, as an added incentive, all advance ticket holders will receive their first beer FREE.

Attendees can expect to enjoy authentic German food, contests, games and live music provided by the Die Alpen Band. Those who enjoy dancing can follow along with the Golden Gate Bavarian Club of San Francisco.

Guests should enter Cal Expo at the Main Gate at Exposition and Challenge Way. The outdoor event is scheduled to take place in The Promenade at the center of the fairgrounds and will begin at 2 pm and conclude at 7 pm.

Oktoberfest is a favorite fall activity in California – it’s a great way to celebrate the rich German culture and to be festive before the onset of winter. Plan to join us and enjoy some great beer!

Download the Press Release for Oktoberfest