The San Diego County Fair returns to the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Friday, June 8, to kick off the summer with its festive traditions and several new attractions.
In addition to favorite stationary rides and other roller coasters popular with the 1.2 million visitors drawn to the fairgrounds each summer, the county fair has added many events to this year’s program under the theme, “Salute to Heroes,” according to fair officials.
The theme salutes local and national heroes by dedicating each of the 22 days of the event to a different category: from lifeguards and paramedics to scientists and veterans.
The event culminates on the Fourth of July. The fair has also expanded its Hometown Heroes program to give San Diegans a chance to nominate local heroes to participate in the July 4 parade.
With three performance stages, visitors will be treated to ongoing musical acts, officials said.
This year’s line-up includes comedian “Weird Al” Yankovic, performing on June 13; Cash’d Out, a Johnny Cash tribute band performing July 4; and the alternative rock band Gym Class Heroes, who will open the Fair on June 8.
Country, mariachi and reggae groups will also perform throughout the fair’s run on special Festival Days.
Reggae Day is slated for June 9 and the Gospel Festival will take place June 23, said Kina Paegert, information manager for the fairgrounds.
Paegert said she anticipates the Action Sport Expo to excite visitors on the weekend of June 22-24, showcasing a variety of off-road vehicles and live music.
“It’s a great weekend to come,” Paegert said. “It has local bands built in, and every type of off-roading. It will be a huge, very popular section of the fair.”
She said another area to undergo remarkable changes is Kiddie Land, the fair’s child-friendly, outdoor ride zone, whose infield location has been completely redesigned and designated a no-smoking zone for the first time.
“We wanted to give it a fresh look, and we’ve added unique, fun elements,” like worm races and a turkey stampede, said Paegert. “This is one of the funniest shows “¦ all will want to see it regardless of age.”
Families may also visit the “Agrifair,” a petting zoo located at the Wyland Center that is designed to share environmental and agricultural messages in addition to showcasing pigs and sheep.
With a nod to the fair’s pastoral history, the Agrifair is “focusing on what the fair was originally based on, agriculture,” Paegert explained.
The fair will, of course, feature another satisfying tradition ” the food, said Paegert.
Visitors can sample the French fries, funnel cakes and other goodies offered along the vendors’ rows during Taste of the Fair on Tuesdays.
On these days, vendors will sell smaller portions of a wide range of their foods for two dollars each.
Fairgoers should also watch for surprising new items, such as rattlesnake chili and fried Cola.
To transport visitors to and from the fair, free shuttles will make frequent runs to the Solana Beach Train Station on weekdays and weekends.
On weekends, shuttles will also stop at several off-site parking lots reserved for the fair, including the Del Mar Show Park and Mira Costa College, said Paegert.