Delicious Food at the San Diego County Fair
The County Fair is filled to the brim with fun events each week. These include animal shows, fireworks, and plenty of local bands.
With such a diverse array of local vendors, there’s always something new and exciting at the fair. In addition to food stalls, there are also hundreds of different sellers in the shopping halls.
Pig Races at the San Diego County Fair
Races and Other Animal Shows
The fair is just as much about fauna as it is about flora. Previous years have had events like the Swifty Swine Pig Race and the Extreme Dogs show, both of which are family-friendly and tons of fun to watch.
Presentations at the San Diego County Fair have also highlighted the importance of conservation in the past, through the Wild About Home*Grown*Fun show’s animal ambassadors.
Each year also features a Junior Livestock Auction, where members of 4-H, FFA and Grange show animals they’ve hand-raised and compete to win a blue ribbon.
Fourth of July Celebrations
On July 4th, the park goes full-on patriotic. Enjoy holiday-themed fair foods like apple funnel cake, check out the shops for patriotic souvenirs, and have a truly unforgettable Independence Day.
End the holiday on the right foot with a fireworks display that’s sure to dazzle.
Bands and Live Music
Every year, the San Diego County Fair features dozens of performances by well-known local bands.
Live performances run every day the fair is in operation, so you can always stop by to hear a song or two as you explore the fairgrounds.
In 2024, the fair announced their Toyota Summer Concert Series, where famous musicians and comedians will take the Corona Grandstand Stage.
Here’s this year’s line-up:
- Kolohe Kai (6/12)
- Old Dominion (6/13)
- TLC (6/14)
- Pepe Aguilar (6/16)
- Whiskey Myers (6/19)
- Kings of Late Night: Jay Leno, Craig Ferguson, and Arsenio Hall (6/21)
- Little Big Town (6/27)
- Ludacris (6/28)
- Los Tucanes de Tijuana (6/30)
- Yung Gravy and Tayler Holder (7/3)
- Hombres G (7/7)
Fair Toys at the San Diego County Fair
Sample Local Cuisine and Fair Foods
Like any good fair, the Del Mar Fair is full of plenty of meals, snacks, and dessert options you’ll want to take full advantage of.
You’re sure to have eyes bigger than your stomach when you see the wide array of fair food vendors. From local specialties to deep-fried fair classics and everything in between, including sweet treats and salty snacks.
My kid’s love Chicken Charlie’s! His is one of the most popular food vendors at the San Diego County Fair and of course he is back this year as well.
One thing is for sure: you won’t be leaving hungry!
Hand Carved Wood Vendor at the San Diego County Fair
Exhibitions and Competitions
The fair hosts a number of displays for artists of different mediums, from traditional fine art, woodworking, and photography to landscaping, floral arrangements, handcrafted goods, and gemwork. Highlights include Paul Ecke Jr. Garden and Flower Shows, and the Design in Wood exhibition presented by the San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association.
Come marvel at these curated collections and watch award ceremonies to see whose work is crowned this year’s winner. You can even watch beer and wine competitions for commercially-licensed breweries and wineries.
Vendors at the San Diego County Fair
Shop 'til you Drop
There are over 250 different vendors in the fair’s shopping halls, so there’s sure to be something to interest everyone. Many vendors are locals selling homemade wares, while other stalls are run by big-name brands like Vitamix and CutCo.