Check out this year's Grandstand entertainment lineup here.
As sure as summer approaches and the "June Gloom" sets in, San Diegans know that it's time to head out to the San Diego County Fair. This year the Fair (some of us still refer to it as the "Del Mar" Fair) runs from June 12 through July 5 (closed June 15 & 22), and once again will bring forth a range of fun exhibits, contests, concerts, and attractions sure to satisfy both new and long-time visitors to the fifth largest Fair in North America. This special section is a small taste of what you can expect to encounter at the Fair.The 2009 San Diego County Fair theme, "Music Mania," will celebrate music from marching bands to garage bands, all the way to local celebrities, musicians of all genres and ages.
The San Diego County Fair is the largest annual event in San Diego County drawing over 1.2 million visitors and is one of the largest fairs in the United States for attendance.
Note: The Fair will be closed June 15 & 22.
What's New at the Fair This Year:
The Music Mania Theme ExhibitWhether you enter the San Diego County Fair's Music Experience on the red carpet with the "paparazzi" or getting past the bouncer at the "backstage entrance," there is music to "see" and music to experience.
New Food:
Eating at the Fair is not about eating healthy. What will be the gotta-eat-it food of the 2009 Fair? Will it be the chocolate-covered bacon strips, or the oatmeal-cookie chicken sandwich? What are the latest deep-fried delectable dishes?
-
* Dee's Concessions on the Avenue: Grilled Asparagus and Caribbean Jerk Chicken, marinated overnight with chiles and a blend of seasons including cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, & garlic. Roasted the next day and served with a barbeque sauce made from the marinade.
* Food at San Diego County FairJuicy's in the Sparkletts Water Infield: BBQ Spaghetti BBQ sauce over spaghetti in a grilled bun.
* Del Mar Diner: Deep-Fried Bread Pudding and Deep Fried Green Beans.
* Charlie's Chicken near AgriFair: Zucchini Weeni (hot dog inside a zucchini, then deep-fried in a special batter), Deep Fried S'mores, Zucchini Fries and Oatmeal Cookie Chicken Sandwich.
* Diego Enterprises/Finger Steaks on the Avenue outside of the Theme Exhibit: Deep Fried Cheese Curds.
* Monterey Bay Calamari east of Clock Tower: Catfish and Crawfish.
* Gingerbread House on the Avenue: Deep Fried Mexican Ice Cream.
* Apple Fries in front of Mission Tower: Chocolate Covered Bacon Strips.
* RCS Super Burger in the Plaza de Mexico: Big-T Texas Tenderloin.
* Plaza de Mexico: Pasta Pocket.
* Near AgriFair: The Farmer's Market, brought to you by Albertsons, with fresh produce.
And of course, there are the stand-by competitive exhibits: the flower and garden show, various art exhibitions, the wood design exhibit, gems, minerals and jewelry, home and hobby, photography and digital arts, and, of course, the livestock and small animal competitions.
Special Events
-
* Breakfast in the Gardens, Opening Day, Friday, June 12
* Car Shows, local car clubs bring some very cool cars for you to see, every day outside of Surfside Race Place.
* Culinary Arts Series, the third year for this popular daily series featuring top chefs and their creations.
* Enviro Fair, Saturday, June 20, with many "green" activities and vendors, so you can learn more about how to reduce, reuse and recycle! HGTV host Eric Stromer will be our guest speaker.
* Motorcycle Ride to the Fair, Saturday, June 20
* San Diego International Beer Festival, Friday & Saturday, June 26 & 27
* 5th Annual Gospel Festival, Saturday, June 27, featuring a nationally known gospel entertainer on the Grandstand Stage and day-long, toe-tapping praise music on three other stages.
* Battle of the Badges: Boxing featuring NYPD boxers vs. The Best of the West's police boxers, Sunday, June 28
* Pro Wrestling, Sunday, July 5
* Fourth of July, featuring our Hometown Heroes parade, patriotic contests, Navy Band Southwest and Smokey Robinson, and of course, spectacular fireworks.
Click here to view an image gallery of scenes from the the San Diego County Fair.
Essential San Diego County Fair Info
The 2009 San Diego County Fair will run 21 days, from Saturday, June 12, through Sunday, July 5. The Fair will be closed two Mondays (June 15 and 22).
Admission:
Adults $13
Ages 62 and older $7
Ages 6-12 $7
Ages 5 and younger FREE
Two Dollar Tuesday
Come to the Fair on Tuesday, June 16, for just two dollars. These special tickets are available only at Albertsons stores and will not be sold at the Fairgrounds. (It's also Kids' Day, where all children 12 and younger are admitted free.)
Hours:
Admission Gates
10AM to 11PM Friday and Saturday
10AM to 10PM other days
Grounds stay open until approximately midnight.
Exhibit and Shopping Buildings
10AM to 11PM Friday and Saturday
10AM to 10PM other days
Buildings will stay open until midnight on July 4 (except for Kids' Best, which will close about 10PM).
The Fun Zone
10AM to approximately midnight Saturdays and Sundays
11AM to approximately midnight other days
Kiddieland
10AM to approximately 11PM on Saturdays and Sundays
11AM to approximately 11PM other days
