The line was long outside the gate at the 4 p.m. opening of this summer’s San Diego County Fair, as friends, couples and families eagerly awaited fun, food and rides.
While a visitor can find barbecued corn, a shrimp taco salad and a Brussels Spouts sandwich, many of the deep-fried indulgences are favorites at the fair.
This year’s new foods:
- Bacon-A-Fair: Wasabi Bacon Bombs and fries; Chicken Fried Bacon, and Chocolate-covered Pork Rinds
- California Cheese Company: Sriracha Corn Dog
- Chicken Charlie’s: Deep-Fried Slimfast Bar, Deep-Fried Peanut Butter Pickle
- Crutchees: Chocolate-dipped Strawberry Waffle Bowl Sundae
- Copper Kettle: Chocolate-covered Gourmet Kettlecorn
- Frontier BBQ: Chicken Fries, BBQ Pigs Skins, “Pig Trough”
- Gingerbread Shop: S’Mores-stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Dessert
- Grantburgers: Cuban Fusion Burger
- Grilled Cheese Affair: Grilled Cheese Frito Crunch Sandwich, Grilled French Onion Soup
- Grinders: Brussels Sprouts Sandwich
- Mexican Food: Sweet Pork Tacos and Burritos
- Mexican Funnel Cake: Deep-Fried Starbucks
- Palapa Taco: Shrimp Taco Salad
- Reno’s Fish: Shark Taco, PoBoy Fish and Shrimp Sandwiches and Cajun selections
- The Ranch: BBQ Pig Skins, “Pig Trough”
- Spud Shack: Corn-flavored Ice Cream on the Cob
- Texas Donuts: Fireball Donut, Carmel Coconut Samoa Donut
- Wood Pit BBQ:Deep-Fried Pork Sandwich
Here’s a complete schedule of events, exhibits at the fair for Saturday, June 6:
The highlight is the 16th Annual Enviro Fair, Locally Grown Festival taking place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free with fair admission. This year the event is dedicated to the memory of local weatherman, anchor, reporter, conservationist and environmentalist Loren Nancarrow.
Fairgoers will learn firsthand about a variety of topics including organic and sustainable farming, pollution prevention, and healthy living in a beautiful market setting. Interested in learning how to receive a box of fresh local produce each week? Talk to a local farm offering Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) programs that include a variety of produce and/or meats.
This year’s guest speakers and guests on the Flower & Garden Show Stage include:
10:30 a.m.
- Carlos Michelon from the San Diego County Water Authority: The Drought and Watersmart Landscapes.
11:45 a.m.
- A Tribute to The Life and Work of Loren Nancarrow
Noon
- California Women in Agriculture: Women, Farming, and Food
Did you know that San Diego is home to almost 6,000 farms and that nearly 27 percent of San Diego farms are owned by women? The California Women for Agriculture’s newest San Diego Chapter will give a one-hour presentation that will debunk common misconceptions about agriculture and get you excited to buy locally.
7:30 p.m.
- Gary Allan at the Heineken Grandstand Stage. Unreserved seats: Included with Fair admission,Reserved seats: $16-$36 on Ticketmaster.
New this year: Farm To Table Dinner. You can buy a ticket for a garden dinner featuring five courses (First Flavor, Greens, Fowl, Farm, and Sweet) paired with award-winning wine and beer. Musical entertainment provided by Dr. Carol Williams, Balboa Park Organist. $125 per person (tickets for purchase online at Enviro Fair).
Bike to the Fair today and receive a $2 return ticket to the fair. For bike valet parking for this event, enter through the Crosby Gate and follow the signs to the East Overflow Lot through the tunnel.
