San Diego County Fair facts for kids

San Diego County Fair, Del Mar, 2009

The San Diego County Fair is a big yearly event held in Del Mar, California. It takes place every summer at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. This fair started way back in 1880, making it the oldest event of its kind in San Diego County. It's a super fun place for families and friends to visit!

Fair History

The San Diego County Fair began in 1880 as a fair for farmers to show off their crops and animals. For many years, the fair moved around to different places. It finally found its permanent home at the Del Mar Fairgrounds when they opened in 1936. The fair was not held in some years because of big world events. For example, it was closed in 1917–18 during World War I, and again from 1942–45 during World War II. In 2020, the fair was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fair has had a few different names over the years. It was called the San Diego County Fair from 1880 to 1953, and then again from 2002 until now. From 1954 to 1969, it was known as the Southern California Exposition and San Diego County Fair. Then, from 1970 to 1982, it was simply the Southern California Exposition. Finally, from 1983 through 2001, it was called the Del Mar Fair.

Fairest of the Fair Contest

From 1936 to 2003, the fair used to have a beauty contest. The winner was first called the Queen of the Fair. In 1947, her title changed to Fairest of the Fair. The winner and her special "court" of other contestants would appear at the fair and at public events all year. The contest stopped in 2004 because it cost too much money and there were some problems with a disqualified entry in 2003. One of the most famous winners was Raquel Welch, who won in 1958 when she was a high school student. She later became a very well-known actress.

Don Diego, the Fair's Host

For many years, the official greeter and host of the fair was a friendly character named Don Diego. He was played by a Spanish actor named Tom Hernández from 1947 until he passed away in 1984. The character of Don Diego was based on a real person, Don Diego Alvarado. His family owned a lot of land in the Del Mar area in the late 1800s. Alvarado was famous for throwing big parties and was known as a very welcoming host.

Tom Hernández, as Don Diego, wore a large sombrero, a fancy embroidered tunic and pants, and boots. He also carried a guitar. He was like a friendly ambassador for the fair. He would walk with the Fairest of the Fair and other famous people. He also greeted regular fairgoers with a warm "¡Bienvenidos Amigos!" which means "Welcome, Friends!"

After Hernández passed away, the fair decided not to find a new person to play Don Diego. They felt that Hernández was perfect for the role and couldn't be replaced. Today, there is a 16-foot tall bronze statue of Hernández as Don Diego at the fair's main entrance. It was made by an artist named Maher Morcos. In 1986, the fair started a scholarship fund called the Don Diego fund to honor him. Every year, the statue is dressed in clothes that match the fair's special theme for that year.

Fair Attractions

The San Diego County Fair has many exciting things to see and do!

View of the midway, 1982

Performances and Contests

You can enjoy lots of musical and talent shows from different artists. There are famous performers on the main stage, local musicians, and even amateur groups. The fair also has dozens of contests. People can enter everything from growing the best vegetables to cooking, or even arranging flowers.

Animals and Exhibits

Like many county fairs, there are lots of animal exhibits where you can see different farm animals. There are also two large buildings filled with commercial exhibits, where businesses show off their products. You can also find exhibits that teach you about San Diego County's history. Plus, there are special exhibits designed around the fair's yearly theme, which makes the fair a little different each time you visit. For example, the theme for 2023 was "Get Out There!".

Kids' and Student Displays

Children and students are celebrated in the Kids' Best and Student Showcase displays. These shows feature amazing artwork created by students from kindergarten all the way through community college. You can see school yearbooks, woodworking projects, photography, and art made by high school students. People of all ages can show off their talents in exhibits like Design in Wood, photo and art shows, and Home and Hobby. Each day, the fair also highlights a specific city or town in San Diego County.

Delicious Fair Food

Food is a huge part of the fair, with more than 100 food booths! You can find classic fair treats and also some really interesting or wild creations. Some past examples include beef sundaes, fried Twinkies, and apple fries. Something new is often added every year. In 2007, fried cola was new, followed by chocolate bacon in 2009, and fried butter in 2010. In 2015, there was a mix of pork and bacon dishes, along with sweet and spicy treats. The 2019 fair saw the first Buffalo Chicken Chimichanga. From Wasabi Bacon Bombs to Sriracha Corn Dogs, Deep-fried Slimfast Bars, and Fireball Donuts, there is always a lot to eat and see!

Fourth of July Celebration

The Fourth of July is a special day at the fair. It includes events celebrating the United States' independence, like a parade. In the evening, there's a huge fireworks display that lights up the sky.

Fair Size

The San Diego County Fair is one of the biggest fairs in North America. In 2014, it had an average of more than 60,000 visitors every day. It is the largest fair in California. Only a few other fairs in North America are bigger, like the State Fair of Texas, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the Minnesota State Fair.

Dates and Location

The fair usually runs from the last weekend in May (or early June) through the Fourth of July weekend. It is typically closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in June.

The fair is held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California. You can find it off the Via De La Valle exit (Exit 36) on the Interstate 5 Freeway. The address is 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014.

You can also get to the fair by train! The Pacific Surfliner and Coaster trains stop at the nearby Solana Beach station. They usually add more trains during the fair. The train companies also offer "Fair Tripper" ticket packages for discounts. There are plans to build a special train platform right at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in the future. This would make it even easier to get to events like the fair.

Parking at the Fair

Parking in the main lots at the Del Mar Fairgrounds costs $17 during the San Diego County Fair.

However, there are also ways to park for free or at a lower cost. These options include free shuttle services to help with traffic and parking.

• Torrey Pines High School, 3710 Del Mar Heights Rd., Del Mar - Available on Saturdays and Sundays.
• MiraCosta College's San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Ave., Cardiff - Available on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Del Mar Horsepark, 14550 El Camino Real, Del Mar - Available every day the fair is open for $5.

Fair Themes

Since 1998, the San Diego County Fair has chosen a special theme each year.

Since 2003, Spanish versions of the themes have also been created. These help with marketing to the Hispanic community in San Diego County and Baja California.