Fried food and fun at San Diego County Fair starting June 7

The San Diego County Fair invites San Diegans to “Get Out There” as the country’s largest fair prepares to open doors on June 7.

Partnered with Parks and Recreation of San Diego County and California State Parks, this year’s theme “Get Out There” will deliver typical fair festivities – alongside featured environmental attractions – to Del Mar Fairgrounds.
“We are helping people learn about opportunities to engage with our parks and with the natural world around them,” said Joyce Rowland, president of the Del Mar Fairgrounds board of directors. “While it looks like the fair is all fun and games – and we like that – it’s also an opportunity for people from all walks of life to come together, to learn, to grow, and share a really amazing experience.”

While there will be plenty of opportunities to engage with this year’s theme, fair-goers can expect to see returning and emerging rides, vendors, and attractions that have kept them coming back for their annual fairground fun.

Those seeking out tasty treats in between rides can stop by Chicken Charlie’s for their Flamin’ Hot Cheetos pot stickers, fried s’mores on a stick, and Kool-Aid in a baby bottle.

Hollandia Dairy is bringing together interactivity and farm-fresh dairy products as patrons will be able to pedal a bike to blend their own locally sourced smoothie.

For those wishing to step away from the classic deep-fried fair foods, the San Diego County Fair will be offering its first plant-based restaurant. Wicked Kitchen will be offering nutritional vegan foods – such as their wicked meatball “pasta,” amaze “bao,” wicked “spicy” taco, and plant-based ice cream bars.

There will also be events and stations for San Diegans seeking out a cold drink after a day under the summer sun. The SD County Fair will be hosting the San Diego International Beer Festival on July 1. A ticket includes an unlimited sampling of the 1,064 featured brews from around the world and five cocktail tastes. A similar wine festival will be held on June 17 as The Toast of the Coast will offer award-winning wines and culinary delights to ticket holders.

With a variety of vendors and rides comes a wide range of performers. Train, Kevin Hart, and La Adictiva will take to the stage during opening week. The Corona Grandstand Stage lineup is joined by other well-known performers – such as Carly Pearce, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Nelly. The other six stages will feature a diverse range of performances, including the Asian and Pacific Islander Festival.

SD County Fair is collaborating with various organizations to give back to the community in the midst of the fun it hosts. Last year, the SD Fair collected 7,475 stuffed animals for the Care n’ Share Toy Drive. Fair-goers will once again have the opportunity to donate their stuffed animal prizes to sick children and those undergoing surgery. There will be donation boxes at the Main Gate, Arena Gate, and West Gate.

The fair will also be giving away 12,000 tickets to San Diego organizations and nonprofits that are focused on youth development – such as education, medical assistance, and mental health causes.

Running from June 7 to July 4, fair admission tickets range from $12-$20. Fair Tripper will be offering discounted tickets that include fair admission and a round-trip ride to and from the Solana Beach station through the PRONTO app.