The California State Fair & Food Festival kicks off Friday and temperatures are expected to be in the triple digits for opening weekend.Cal Expo CEO Tom Martinez says they've been working to keep people safe despite the extreme conditions with cooling zones and air conditioning upgrades."We have four cool zones that people can go and enjoy if they’re feeling a little overwhelmed. You’ll see more shade in certain places. Our largest buildings have been upgraded from last year with new air conditioning systems," Martinez said.| Full Fair Guide | The California State Fair is back. Your one-stop shop for everything you need to knowThey're also asking people to prepare for the heat. "Drink water. You are allowed to bring in unopened plastic water bottles. Before you even step on the fairgrounds when you’re at home make sure your clothing is lightweight and light-colored," said Darla Givens, a Cal Expo spokesperson.There will be EMTs on standby to deal with any heat-related illnesses but Givens says it's important to monitor those in your own group. "Check each other out. Check on each other. If you start to see some looking a little peaked or they stop sweating. Let's get inside. Let's cool off. Pay attention to your body," Givens said.Below are more ways to beat the heat at the fair. You can bring a personal mister like a misting fan.Try to visit outdoor attractions in the early mornings or evenings. Take shade breaks.Horse racing canceled amid extreme heat, animal show schedules impactedHorse racing activities have been temporarily suspended for opening weekend."Our decision to suspend horse racing activities was guided by our unwavering commitment to animal safety,” Martinez said. “We want to ensure that our beloved equine athletes are in optimal health. With the current heatwave, their safety and well-being come first. The fair continues to offer an array of activities and attractions for our fairgoers to enjoy while we also prioritize the comfort and safety of our animals."Horse racing will continue for the last two weekends with a post time of 1:45 p.m. to accommodate races postponed during the heat.Cal Expo is also shifting its schedules for animal shows. See more in the video below. New rules for minors at the California State Fair this year Cal Expo police also say they are getting stricter on some new rules this year, one of them related to minors. "If you’re under 18 you can only get in with a parent or a guardian over the age of 21. The parent or guardian must stay on the grounds with them while the kids under 18 are here," said Craig Walton, Cal Expo's chief of police.The clear bag rule is being enforced this yearWalton says they're also cracking down on the clear bag policy this year."We spent a lot of time and effort on it. Last year we had bag checks. We tried everything to get compliance. This year it's going to be 100% clear bag policy," Walton said. Here's when the California State Fair takes placeThe fair runs Friday, July 14 - 30. Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.Friday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.| MORE | Here’s how to buy 2023 California State Fair tickets, save moneyHere's who is performing at the California State FairWhile safety and protection are key, there's also new food and entertainment.Boyz II Men, LeAnn Rimes, Third Eye Blind, the Gin Blossoms, Ashanti, Kool & The Gang, Trace Adkins and more artists are set to perform at the Toyota Concert Series. "We made an investment into our concert lineup. It’s a very legitimate state fair concert lineup. We’ve already sold more tickets, 10 times more than we did last year," Martinez said. What to know about State Fair foodGivens said there are about a dozen new food vendors. "People come here to eat. This is the one time of year where you can get our corn dog, your ceviche, your churros, ice cream all in one spot," Givens said.Learn more at calexpostatefair.com.