Blue-Ribbon Format Is Back for the Fair

The 1991 Del Mar Fair will go with what works, offering many exhibits and events similar to those that drew more than a million visitors to last year’s production.

However, the fair, which begins its 20-day run today, will add 20 amusement rides, including a third roller coaster, called the Flitzer, to Kiddieland, which has been moved to the expanded racetrack infield.

“There are new things within each of the exhibit areas, but the exhibit areas themselves have not changed,” said Diane Scholfield, a spokeswoman for the fair, which is also known as the Southern California Exposition and was first held in National City 111 years ago.

“One of the things that we put a big emphasis on here is having things be in the same place as the year before,” Scholfield said. “We have such a huge rate of change in the county . . . that for a lot of people it’s very comforting to come to the fair and know that your favorite food booth is in exactly the same place as it was the year before.”

One new attraction will be the 4,000-seat Horse Arena, which debuted last March in the Del Mar National Horse Show. It will be the site of various events previously held at the old arena, including a professional rodeo, a monster truck pull, a skateboard stunts show and daredevil bike riding.

The $5.6-million arena will also be the site of thoroughbred horse shows, and hunter and jumping events.

Popular exhibits such as the flower and garden show, the livestock show (where city slickers get to milk a cow), home arts and woodworking are back, with the San Diego County Water Authority offering $5,000 in prizes to the best garden designs that require little water.

“We are trying to show people how to garden in a water-efficient way, and we will have a number of lectures and exhibits throughout the fair that will address that subject,” Scholfield said. The competition will be open to both amateur and professional gardeners and landscapers.

Musical entertainment on the Grandstand Stage this year includes Linda Ronstadt, Los Lobos, John Denver, Tony! Toni! Tone!, the Neville Brothers, Charley Pride, Tower of Power, Tito Puente, Cheap Trick and Engelbert Humperdinck.

Entertainers performing on the Infield Stage include Gary Puckett, the Association, Joe Stampley and Jo-El Sonnier.

Contests, which are open to the public, range from the best moo (if Mumsy the Cow moos back at you, you win) and Shamu cookies (judged on taste and resemblance to the famed mammal) to more serious contests such as hog calling, bubble gum blowing, pie eating and cow chip throwing.

During the weekends and on July 4 and 5, fairgoers are encouraged to park at any of the three off-site lots, at Torrey Pines High School (Interstate 5 and Carmel Mountain Road), Eastgate Mall near I-805, and UC San Diego (I-5 and Genesee Avenue). Shuttle buses will run continuously to the fairgrounds.

“We really encourage people to use those lots because it is more than likely that they will walk less than if they parked on-site,” Scholfield said. Parking during weekdays at the fairgrounds will be relatively uncrowded, she said.

For more information, call 259-1355 or 755-1161.

The Fair Facts

LOCATION: West of Interstate 5 at the Via de la Valle exit.

HOURS: Fair runs today through July 7. The fairgrounds are open daily, 9 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Visitors may enter until 10 p.m. Exhibits open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The midway Fun Zone is open from noon to 12:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.

ADMISSION: Adults (13 and older) $6; children (6-12) $1; seniors (62 and older) $3; children under 6 free.

PARKING: Free. 12,000 on-site spaces, open from 9:30 a.m. to midnight. Additional spaces available off-site on weekends and July 4 and 5 at Torrey Pines High School (Interstate 5 and Carmel Mountain Road), Eastgate Mall near I-805, and UC San Diego (I-5 and Genesee Avenue). Shuttles will carry fairgoers from the off-site lots to the grounds.

CONTESTS/DEMONSTRATIONS: 9 a.m.: Cavy judging, PPR Barn

10 a.m.: Plant-Grow-Eat Judging, Fieldstone Pipsqueak Plaza

11 a.m.: Bubble gum blowing contest, Fieldstone Pipsqueak Plaza

Noon: Horseshoe contest, infield

1 p.m.: Cigar Box Rock Collection Contest, Hobby Show building

4 p.m.: Kite Flying Contest, Fieldstone Pipsqueak Plaza

SHOWS: 10 a.m.: Opening Ceremonies, Flag Raising and Parade; Kenny Anderson, Paddock State; Hidden Blues Society, Infield Stage; Combined Ramona Elementary, James Dukes and Ramona Unified School District Honors Choirs, Smart Yellow Pages Stage

11 a.m.: Stokes & Carr, Paddock Stage

2:30 p.m.: Andrew Marder, Paddock Stage

3 p.m.: Danny Cruz Band, Fiesta Stage; California Gymnastics, Smart Yellow Pages Stage

4 p.m.: Pam & Maggie, Paddock Stage; Ramona Council of Arts Unlimited, Smart Yellow Pages Stage

7:30 p.m. The Neville Brothers, Grandstand Stage; G-Lane, Fiesta Stage; Laura Roman, Smart Yellow Pages Stage