COUNTY FAIR RETURNS TO DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDS NEXT WEEK TO JULY 4
Operation of midway was in jeopardy for while, but parties resolved issues
Following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the San Diego County Fair returns to the Del Mar Fairgrounds from Wednesday to July 4.
“We are very excited that the fair is back this year,” Carlene Moore, the CEO of the Del Mar Fairgrounds, said to the Del Mar City Council last month.
For this year’s fair, fairgrounds officials faced a challenge other than the pandemic. A San Diego Superior Court judge blocked a contract for a single company to run the midway because of allegations that the bidding process was rigged in favor of that company, Ray Cammack Shows. Following a period of negotiation, the fair will proceed with a full midway that features multiple contractors providing rides and games, the Union-Tribune reported in April.
In addition to the usual rides, the fair will include competitive exhibits in commercial spirits, commercial wine, flowers, wood
design and other categories. The summer concert series includes artists such as Jason Derulo, Shaggy, Los Tigres Del Norte, Goo Goo Dolls and Gabriel Iglesias.
The original theme planned for 2020, Heroes Unite, will be resurrected this year as Heroes Reunite.
“Back in 2020, we had expected and planned for a fair that was Heroes Unite,” Moore said. “After all we have gone through as a community over these past few years, it seemed more important than ever to rename it slightly to Heroes Reunite.”
There will also be an exhibit that honors the stories of “heroes next door.”
“We’re really excited to be able to share them with the rest of the community,” Moore said.
A limited amount of parking will be available for free at Torrey Pines High School, in addition to paid parking options at $15 and $30. Visitors can also purchase NCTD fair tripper tickets at Pronto ticket vending machines on Coaster and Sprinter platforms.
“This year we will be parking (at Torrey Pines High School) ev