Fair Play

From famously unusual food to rides, animals and star athletes, the San Diego County Fair offers it all

At the San Diego County Fair, you can gorge yourself with the once-a-year fried Twinkies and Oreos, indulge at the beer gardens throughout the grounds and have head-spinning fun on the Tilt-A-Whirl—just don’t do it all at once, or you’ll be running faster than the Turkey Stampede to get to the nearest porta-potty.

Formerly known as the Del Mar Fair, the 2008 bazaar, running from June 14 to July 6, showcases everything you would expect from a county fair—along with all the eye-catching oddities that comes with being the fifth largest fair in the country.

This year’s theme, “Summer of Sports,” celebrates and recognizes athletic and sportsmanship in our county and beyond. Athletes such as Tony Gwynn, Julio Cesar Chavez and Ivan “The Ironman” Stewart will be available to meet each day of the fair.   

Staying true to its agricultural roots, the 300-acre fairgrounds has a livestock barn where anyone looking for a taste of the farm life can hold a squealing baby pig, breathe in that wonderfully pungent cow smell and try their hand at planting some crops.

Animal lovers might want to stay away from the annual Junior Livestock Auction, but the excitement of a fast-talking auctioneer beside the proud 4-H youths showing off their animals is an endearing treat if you don’t think about the fate of Wilbur and his friends.

“It takes you back to the original reason for the fair,” says spokeswoman Kina Paegert. “It was all about agriculture.”

To get some fresh air after the barnyard, head over to the Fun Zone, where 40 twisty, turning, high-flying rides will likely take your breath away. StarFlyer, one of two new rides this year, thrusts fairgoers 125 feet over the crowd, giving them just enough time to catch a glimpse of the sea of people below before the sights begin to whirl at 44 miles an hour.

As any experienced fairgoer knows, you visit the aisles of sizzling fried food after the gut-wrenching rides, when your empty stomach has had the chance to drift back down from the top of your throat to its rightful place. A dieter’s worst nightmare, the fair food offers a chance to take a much-needed break from the “low-carb” and “fat-free” labels and indulge in a little “deep-fried” instead.

The Tuesday Taste of the Fair is the ideal way to sample all the goodies the fair has to offer, with each booth selling a taster’s portion for $2. Everything from the traditional fare of funnel cake and hotdogs on a stick, to Indian fry bread with cinnamon powder, Australian battered potatoes, and the new deep-fried frog legs and deep-fried Spam.

The Wine, Beer, and Tequila Festival can help wash down the greasy food and may even make you forget all of the calories you just consumed. Held June 14, 28 and July 5, patrons can sip some of California’s fine wines, taste 40 varieties of craft beer and sample tequila from the experts in Mexico.

June 21 brings in the expertise of worldwide professional brewers for a beer competition, but you can be your own judge of the 200 expected entries. A $15 wristband gets beer lovers a taste of five beers, or sample a sausage from the Bratwurst Competition.

Bluegrass Day takes place alongside the festival, while Singer/Songwriter Day on June 28 will showcase some local talent on the nearby stage. Those looking for big-name acts can head over to the Grandstand Stage, where star acts this year include B.B. King, Fergie and Sugarland.

Anyone who thinks they’ve seen it all can get an eye-opening experience at the fair, where the weird and unusual is never in short supply. Though it may appear to be wild animals running amok, the ostrich or camel running past you is actually in a race, so please don’t distract it with a bite of your Koolickle—a dill pickle marinated in Kool-Aid that’s a new addition to the fair’s long list of unusual foods.

For those craving a bit of normalcy, the fair also offers an upscale side in contrast to its down-home feel, with a gourmet meal at the Del Mar Racetrack’s Turf Club, followed by some betting at California’s largest off-track wagering facility, the Surfside Race Place. Photography and art exhibitions also abound, as well as rows of vendors selling all sorts of gifts you never knew you needed. 

“To be able to experience everything we have at the San Diego County Fair you need to come more than two days,” Paegert says. Considering we’ve barely scraped the surface of the fair’s attractions here, make that 10 days.

Regular admission is $12, and rides, food and other events have additional fees. See sdfair.com/fair for details. Tuesdays kids 12 and under are free. The fair will be closed June 16 and 23.

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