It was a mild but wild 12 days of barn dances, watermelon eating contests, and overpriced product demos at the annual “biggest little fair anywhere.”
And of course more live music than you could shake a jumbo corn dog at.
I’ve never seen late July temps in the 70s in Paso Robles, which meant an evening jacket was required with your boots, jeans (or jean skirts), and cowboy hat.
For me, it’s all about the varied entertainment options that just confirm the Central Coast’s status as live music Mecca.”
Call it a rite of passage but Mid-State Fair-going is more like a yearly bucket list item for SLO locals and valley visitors. It’s an expensive proposition for many families, but one in which attendees gladly indulge.
For me, it’s all about the varied entertainment options that just confirm the Central Coast’s status as live music Mecca.
First up was former glam/hair metal band Ratt lead singer Stephen Pearcy on the Fort Frontier free stage. He’s certainly seen better days, but still touring while pushing age 70.
These aging rock stars are very smart, hiring talented musicians to recreate their sound and vibe—which Pearcy has done well. A solid 15-song, 70-minute set, with all their mid-80s hits, to kick off fair festivities on its second night was tonic for your rock ‘n’ roll soul.
But the Mid-State Fair is really about great country/western music, including local legend Monte Mills, who continues bringing it well into his 80s. He entertained fairgoers for three hours on the free Mission Stage, a cool wine bar area with a fun, old guy/gal feel.
Another local icon, Ras Danny, and his reggae all-stars brought the island vibe to the Islands Bar area near the main gate every day from 4 to 6 p.m.
If you still can’t find live music to groove at these stages or the Silo, La Cantina or nightly KJUG barn dance, I got nothing else for you.
But its main attraction remains the 14,500 seat Chumash Arena Grandstand that continues to host headliner acts every year. This season did feel a bit weak, especially for classic rock fans. And except for Jon Pardi, Cody Johnson, and Keith Urban, show attendance seemed to be down.
One pleasant surprise: up-and coming gospel-infused country rockers Red Clay Strays from Alabama. A half-full but enthusiastic arena audience enjoyed several original songs from the six-piece band, led by Elvis look-alike Brandon Coleman.
This festive, free-wheeling, sit/stand/dance anywhere mentality epitomizes our fair’s live and let live policy that’s so rare in today’s over-prescribed world.”
David Lee Roth of Van Halen fame proved another surprise, both good and bad. Only about 1,200 fans showed up, which has to be an all-time low for paid grandstand concerts. But the sparse crowd was rewarded with a fun, lively performance of classic tunes from the Hall of Fame rock band.
Roth has become a weak vocalist, which explains his five backup singers. Nevertheless, he remains an entertaining frontman who wisely assembles great musicians to perform the many songs he co-wrote with Eddie Van Halen.
This festive, free-wheeling, sit/stand/dance anywhere mentality epitomizes our fair’s live and let live policy that’s so rare in today’s over-prescribed world. After 20-plus years, it’s by far my favorite outdoor summer concert venue anywhere.
This year’s musical exploits ended on a high note with the venerable Music and Wine Night featuring ex-Eagle and axeman extraordinaire Don Felder, who’s nearing 78 but also still actively touring. He sings, tells stories, and plays a mean lead guitar. There was no opening act and he performed a solid if quick 85-minute,16-song set. Nobody is Bruce Springsteen anymore except . . . well, Bruce himself.
Again, it’s a summer Friday night at the fair so everyone is easily entertained by their dressed-up table of friends and plentiful food, booze and whatever else they’re into. The music almost seemed secondary. But once Felder got into classic rock anthems like “Take It Easy,” “Heartache Tonight” and a “Hotel California” finale, the crowd rose and hollered as the echo of voices and instruments finally took over.
But an afterthought for me? Never in a million years. Like Arnold says, I’ll be back.