San Diego County Fair

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Collage of some things that happen at SD Fair, along with map.

Located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California, the San Diego County Fair is the largest annual event in San Diego County drawing over 1.2 million visitors in 2005 and is one of the largest fairs in the United States for attendance. The San Diego County Fair features the largest midway in the region, a Grandstand Stage with top-ranked performing artists; traditional county fair exhibits, student showcases, food, rides, and fun for the whole family.

This year's featured performers at theh Harrah's Grandstand Stage cover a wide range of musical tastes: comedian Sinbad (actor) (June 10), American Idol's [Bo Bice] (June 14), rock & soul duo Hall & Oates (June 15), Latin rockers Ozomatli (June 16), Heart (June 22), Melissa Ethridge (June 27), Smash Mouth (June 28), Lifehouse (band) (June 29)songwriter Teddy Geiger (June 30), Kenny Loggins (July 1), Carrie Underwood (July 3) and more. Check the San Diego County Fair website for the complete lineup of fair performers.

The Paddock Series is an exciting, brand-new addition to the Fair's entertainment lineup. Every Tuesday, you can enjoy outstanding blues bands. On Wednesday nights, it will be classic rock. On Thursdays, jazz will fill the air. These concerts will begin about 9 p.m. on the Finish Line Stage, immediately after the Grandstand Stage performance ends.

“This year’s theme promises to be the best and most exciting yet not only because of the water theme, but because of our very special partnership with the internationally acclaimed artist, Wyland. We are working with him to create Wyland’s Island in the Infield, where we will have an educational and interactive display focusing on preserving the environment and protecting the ocean and its creatures,” said Deputy General Manager, Chana Mannen.

The Wonders of Water Featuring Wyland Exhibit "The Wonders of Water Featuring Wyland," the theme exhibit near the O'Brien Gate, will take Fairgoers through aquatic habitats featuring the animals that rely on them, a bathing suit fashion show, hands-on learning experiences for kids, the art of famed marine-life artist Wyland, and much, much more.

History

In 1880, a group of San Diegans organized an agricultural fair to bring county farmers together to share ideas, see who had the best citrus fruit, who baked the best pie, and who had the fastest horse. After that first fair, the county fair was held annually with a few exceptions in various county locations until 1936, when it moved to its present Del Mar home.

What's New This Year:

Sealife Encounters of America The world's only traveling stingray exhibit will be on Wyland's Island, presented by Sparkletts. This exhibit has as its main attraction a stingray touch tank, where Fairgoers can see, touch, feed and learn about stingrays. Other exhibits include displays of unusual marine animals, as well as hands-on learning centers.

Water’s Extreme Journey Developed with a focus on creativity by Wyland, the 1,000-foot Water's Extreme Journey maze transforms each visitor into a drop of water entering a watershed. Visitors will travel through different watershed habitats including lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, estuaries, bays, and oceans.

Then there are the old standby favorites as well, such as arts and crafts displays, art shows, photo exhibitions, the flower and garden show, and of course, the livestock competitions. Of course, it's just not a County Fair without a Fun Zone, and the San Diego County Fair has one of the best you'll find. The Fun Zone has nearly 40 exciting rides, there are about 40 more in the Infield's Kiddieland, and you'll find nearly 40 different types of games in both locations.

The Fun Zone opens at 11:00AM Tuesdays through Fridays and 10:00AM on Saturdays and Sundays. The Fun Zone closes at approximately midnight every night.

San Diego County Fair Info

2006 Admission
Adults $11.00
62 and older $6.00
Kids 6-12 $5.00
Kids 5 and younger Free

External Links

• San Diego County Fair
• Del Mar Fair Grounds
• SD Fair Description by Inigo Figuracion