The California State Fair & Food Festival is officially underway. The celebration at Cal Expo hasn't happened since before the pandemic. This year's fair runs from July 15-31.A lot of the classics will be back, including the annual cornhole championship, corn dog and pie-eating contests, horse racing, livestock showing and carnival rides. There will also be a silent disco, freestyle motocross, Candy Maze Selfie experience and Toytopia. "One thing we are looking forward are some of the new exhibits we have like Toytopia, it takes you back to your childhood, we have a giant etch sketch," said Darla Givens with the California State Fair. "We want folks to come in and have a good time."There will also be a $2 Taste of the Fair where each food vendor will offer a sample item for $2 every Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.Learn more about all exhibits here.Find a map of the California State Fair here.Security has also been stepped up this yearThere is a clear bag policy in place. Kids and teenagers under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by someone over 21 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.“We're back together again and we want to make it safe for those who are coming,” said Darla Givens, a spokesperson for the fair.| VIDEO BELOW | California State Fair steps up security, officials sayHow much do tickets cost for the California State Fair?Discount tickets are on sale until July 14. Those prices range from $8-12 for admission.Regular ticket pricing: Children 4 and under are freeChildren 5-12 years old are $10Adult/General Admission is $14Seniors 62 and older are $12On Monday, July 18 and 25, you can bring three non-perishable, non-expired food items to the fair gates before 3 p.m. and receive free admission. All food collected will go to the Elk Grove Food Bank.| Quiz | How well do you know your California counties?On Tuesday, July 19 and 26, are for kids with free admission for kids 12 and under. For everyone else on those days, rides cost $2. On Thursday, July 21 is free admission for active duty, reserve and veterans.Fridays are Senior Savings days with discount tickets at $10 for those 62 and older. Nightly concerts are free with fair admission. Learn more here.How much is parking for the California State Fair? You can enter the fair through three gates. All three have general and disabled parking.The main gate is located on Exposition Boulevard and Heritage Way. The blue gate is located on Exposition Boulevard and Challenge Way. The Green Gate is located west of the main gate. Learn more here.Parking for the fair is $15. What are the hours for the California State Fair open? Main gate hours:Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.Friday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.Carnival hours:Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: Opens at 2 p.m.Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday: Opens at 11 a.m.Kids park hours:Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: Opens at 1 p.m.Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday: Opens at 11 a.m.Who is performing at California State Fair concerts?The fair boasts a concert every night, including Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan, Neon Trees, TLC, Smash Mouth, Chase Rice and Clay Walker. The concerts are free with fair admission however, you can purchase reserved seating starting at $15. Click here for the full lineup. Fireworks happen every Friday and Saturday night after dark.