State fair goes green

Free candy isn’t the only reason to visit the county exhibit at this year’s California State Fair. The California Green Dream Expo has serious creative integrity. Don’t miss Science On a Sphere, a visual exploration of climate change projected onto a nearly 6-foot, globe-shaped movie screen. On loan from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this televised earth attracts a well-deserved crowd for interesting, humorous lectures about global warming.

Kids acting up? Set them in front of the Department of Water Resources’ demonstration of flood preparation on a toy train board. They’ll be hooked for several rounds of surging liquid terror. Or let them toss ping pong balls into (clean) toilets while they learn about efficient water use. Nothing like an educational afternoon to justify that deep fried twinkie. The California State Fair runs now until September 3. 1600 Exposition Boulevard, (916) 263-3247, www.bigfun.org. Noon-10 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sun. and Labor Day, closed Mon. State Fair admission is $10 general, $8 seniors, $6 children ages 5 to 12, and free for children age 4 and younger.