San Diego County Fair: The Festivals, Food & Fun

No fair is complete without over the top sugar-filled, fried, heart-attack inducing snacks. It’s a good thing the San Diego County Fair only comes around once a year, otherwise our doctors would not be too pleased with us. This year, the treats at the fair will pique the curious and courageous tummies. Luckily, every Thursday, the fair will offer sample-sized portions of all their cooky dishes for just $3.00, so you can taste your way through the fair guilt free. This year’s theme, “How Sweet Is It” is sure to deliver a sugar rush that will send your body into a child-like sugar high.

Some of the outrageous fair foods include an abundance of unicorn themed treats and candy infused cocktails. You’ll truly feel like a kid in a candy store this summer. It’s a sweet ride through the Fair’s Theme Exhibit so prepare to unwrap a world of flavorful fun. Each of your senses will be engaged as you experience sweet treats, sounds, scents and sights. The San Diego County Fair is not only fun, but fair-goers will also learn a lot along the way. For example, journey into the nuts and bolts of candy and the chocolate-making process. Learn the fascinating stories of famous candy makers and chocolatiers – local, historic and those who live in our imagination. Jacky Eshelby, Exhibits Director of the San Diego County Fair told the SD Entertainer:

“San Diego County Fair is unique as we offer opportunities of events within our programming.  The Toast of the Coast Wine Festival is an amazing opportunity to sample wines from throughout the world.  New this year we are adding an artisan cheese component.  From Vermont to the West Coast, cheese makers will be sharing the fruits of their crafts.  And if wine isn’t your cup of tea, check out the San Diego International Beer Festival, with over 300 brews on tap.  Maybe the best kept secret is the Gold Medal Beer Dinner held on Thursday, June 14.  Hop on board for this Farm to Table experience that will delight all your senses.”

 

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Prepare to feast on an immense amount of fried food, bacon wrapped treats, and more candy than you can handle. Animal lovers rejoice – the San Diego County Fair features livestock of all kinds. Cuddle up to your furry friends at the petting zoo, or watch some four-legged critters perform tricks that will blow your mind. Courageous fair-goers, check out one of the stomach-churning rides like Cyclone, Giant Wheel, Goliath Slide or Happy Swing.

Festivals

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The San Diego County Fair will be featuring tons of festivals throughout its 26 day extravaganza, so get your tickets ahead of time. The Toast of the Coast Wine Competition & Festival on June 9 will include UNLIMITED samplings of award winning wines. VIP tickets also get to try delicious bites to accompany the selected wines. Beer lovers, don’t fear! The June 15-17 Beer Festival will allow attendees unlimited samples of over hundreds of beers. The Distilled: San Diego Spirit & Cocktail Festival is taking place from June 23 from 12-5pm. The VIP ticket to this festival gives you unlimited samplings of spirits and signature cocktails in your own premium Neat spirits glass and access to the VIP lounge with gourmet food stations and unlimited grazing.

On June 30, guests can enjoy a Farm to Table Dinner at the Garden Show at 4:30 pm. Dine with local farmers in this award-winning garden affair. This dinner features locally sourced food, prepared by Executive Chef Barry Schneider and the Premier Culinary Team, paired with award-winning beer and wine. Attendees also receive gift bag with goodies provided by farmers. The Asian-Themed Food & Beverage Festival will take place at the 17 Hands Restaurant Bar on June 2 at 10:00 am. One day only to coincide with the Asian Festival where Tibetan beers will be poured. The menu will include Thai BBQ chicken tacos, hand-carved char siu roasted pork loin and chilled soba noodle salad, will be featured. While supplies last.

Animals

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CA Grown will be featuring all kinds of animal -related activities this year at the fair. The Petting Farm will be located at the CA Grown every day at varying times. Enjoy interacting with farm animals, almost like it was for kids growing up on a farm in California‘s early years. Feed the animals if you like, and of course, everyone gets to pet them – join the fun. See a Goat-Milking Demonstration, learn why goat’s milk is good for you, and find out why it is a sustainable form of agriculture for the future. The World of Wonders gives horse lovers a special treat every day until 7 at the World of Horses, where you can visit horses and get your questions answered by knowledgeable staff. Watch daily demos about riding styles, grooming, parts of the horse, vaulting, or roping lessons, just to name a few. If you’ve never been to a pig race, you’re in for some fun. Long a Fair favorite, the cute little Swifty Swine Racing Pigs are back for another fun season of pig races. Swifty and his friends don’t do it for the money, what they really want is that Oreo cookie, waiting on a silver platter at the finish line. Pick the pig that you think will win, then cheer it to the finish line. Happening several times daily in the Durante Area next to the Del Mar Arena.

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