Head to Sacramento for state fair, Gold Rush Days

Sacramento: State fair, Gold Rush Days

SACRAMENTO —More than 200 tons of dirt will be dumped on the streets of Old Sacramento to prepare for the annual Gold Rush Days, Sept. 4-7.

Costumed re-enactors will stage mock gun fights and musicians will play period instruments as the city remembers the 1850s. Details at www.discovergold.org/familyfun.

Other events for visitors heading to Sacramento before the summer ends include the California State Fair, Aug. 21-Sept. 7, with horse races, exhibits, contests, carnival attractions and concerts featuring David Cook, MC Hammer and Blake Shelton. California Musical Theatre’s Music Circus is also staging a production of the musical “Cats,” Aug. 18-30, with tickets from $41 to $53.

The city is also home to a number of ongoing attractions including the California State Railroad Museum, the California Museum, Sacramento River Cruises and Fairytale Town, a play park and outdoor children’s museum with playsets based on fairy tales and nursery rhymes.