As the largest fair in California, attracting more than 1.5 million people last year alone, the San Diego County Fair hopes to break the attendance record with this year’s theme, “Mad About the Fair,” running June 3 through July 4. Fusing the inventive and artistic movement of steampunk with the magical world of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” the Del Mar Fairgrounds have been transformed into Alice’s world of wonder and amazement. Events like Tea Time in Wonderland and the Mad Hatters Dance Party are designed to transport those in attendance to a world full of characters in eclectic costumes and a variety of fried foods to go along. “We had this retro-futuristic vision for this year’s fair,” Frederick Schenk, Agricultural Association Board member said. “We are grateful for how it has come together and for the outreach by the San Diego Steampunk Society.” Members of the San Diego Steampunk Society have worked diligently for months to create handcrafted costumes that are both Alice in Wonderland and steampunk inspired. Their work and adaptation of the storybook characters has been deemed a success by Schenk. According to Linda Zweig, director of media relations for the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the fair should feel like a wild tea party with food and people to match. “If you invite the steampunk community, they will make it a show,” Zweig said. With 10 festivals, daily contests, events and nightly entertainment, all 26 days of this year’s fair are planned to impress from open until close. “There are magical manifestations and outlandish landscapes to highlight every single day of this fair,” Schenk said. Of the festivals planned for this year’s fair, the San Diego International Beer Festival is scheduled for June 17 to 19 and is projected to attract a large crowd for the third year in a row. “Unlimited beer sampling from your backyard and around the world will make you grin like a Cheshire cat,” Schenk said. There are nine stages at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and each is scheduled to host musical, comedic and theatrical performances all day. Acts are family friendly, and many are free with an admission ticket. Headliners include Lady Antebellum, Grand Funk Railroad and Kenny Rogers, to name a few. “We want everyone to go completely bonkers,” said Tim Fennell, CEO of the Del Mar Fairgrounds. “What matters this year is food, fun and frolic, so please sip, savor and sample.” The newest feature to the fair this year is the California Grown Exhibit. It is an attempt to honor the agricultural history of the state and recognize California as the number one farming state in the nation. The exhibit is equip with farm animals and machinery and is intended to educate people about the past- and present-day farmer as well as the impact agriculture has across the state and nation. The exhibit will have three parts depicting farming yesterday, today and tomorrow. Food that is locally sourced and served farm to table will be available at the fair. “We want everyone to travel around this wonderful state through food and drink,” Schenk said. Planning for the 2016 fair began the day the 2015 fair ended, and, according to Zweig, it has been the board’s intention from the start to make it the best one yet. “We are absolutely mad about the fair, and we want to open San Diego’s mind to the eclectic world of steampunk,” Schenk said. Adult tickets for the fair are $16, and group promotions and passes are available online and at the fairgrounds. For more information about this year’s fair and a chance to win merchandise as well as discounted admission tickets, the San Diego County Fair Street Team will be at the Fiesta Del Sol in Solana Beach, the D6 Night Market and the Balboa Park Garden Party in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, see sdfair.com for more.