It seems like the media preview of the 2025 San Diego County Fair was just a few days ago but that was actually several weeks ago. There is so much to see and do at the fair that time has just flown by. Now there is just less than one week remaining.
The theme of this year’s fair is “Summer Pet-tacular.” Extensive “AutoMatters & More” fair coverage began with the Media Sneak Peek that included: sampling fair food (Craft Lemonade, Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls, Dr. Pepper Pickle Drink from Chicken Charlies, Mexican “La Jolla” Cup of Noodles from Rico’s Manjares, Ramen Tacos, African specialties from Rafikiz Foods, Farmer in the Del “Local Moco” beef patties with smoked pastrami, egg, mushroom gravy and onion strings, strawberry cups from Ricky’s Sweet Paradise and more!); competitive exhibits (arts & crafts, Industrial AG Mechanics, Student Showcase and more); Paul Ecke Jr. Flower and Garden Show; performers (Asian and Pacific Islander Festival drummers, Native American Heritage dancers, KPOP Festival and more); commercial exhibits (Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions, Kahoots Feed & Pet, Metropolitan Transit System, North County Transit District, Roma pharmacy, Soapy Joe’s carwashes and more); Farm 2 U — A Taste of California; San Diego Food Bank; Care ‘N Share Toy Drive; Don Diego Scholarship Fund; and, of course, lots and lots of animals (Pet-tacular Parrot Show, Junior Livestock, San Diego Humane Society and more). Bear in mind that this was just a teeny, tiny sampling of all that would be at this year’s San Diego County Fair!
Marine Band San Diego
(Jan Wagner)
Moving right along, our next visit to the fair began with the Opening Day Ceremony, featuring welcoming speeches, an inspiring performance by Marine Band San Diego and a ribbon cutting.
From there it was through the colorful entrance and onward to the fair’s theme building, which was all about pets: dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small mammals, fish and more. At various exhibits inside, information was provided about which pet should you consider getting, the costs associated with having pets, care for pets, animal adoptions, pet food and more.
One of the many must-see exhibits at the fair each year is the huge and exquisitely detailed miniature train diorama created by the San Diego Garden Railway Society, located just outside the Garden Show building. Every year’s massive exhibit is unique, complete with several scale model trains chugging around.
Firefighter Demolition Derby in the Del Mar Arena
(Jan Wagner)
New this year was the San Diego Marketplace, filled with San Diego artisan booths, boutiques and more. The Candy Maze had aisles and aisles of bins overflowing with candies.
GASCAR — the “Great American Speedway Crazy Animal Races,” and “Farmyard Follies,” featuring racing goats and pigs, offered fun, animal alternatives to NASCAR.
The Flying Royals returned to once again thrill and entertain audiences with acrobatics on the ground and high above.
“Destination Unknown… THE TANK” was the 21 and over rooftop speakeasy located above the main grandstand, with great views of the fairgrounds — especially after the sun went down. Guests needed a secret (but easy to get) password to get in.
A fair attendee petting a horse.
(Jan Wagner)
Subsequent return visits to the fair included checking out the musical entertainment on the many stages, new auto exhibits by Toyota and General Motors, cow milking by Hollandia Dairy and livestock: cattle, llamas, sheep, rabbits, goats, horses and more in the Livestock East and West barns.
Fans of motorsport enjoyed the annual Firefighter Demolition Derby, in which teams of firefighters from San Diego County competed with each other to prepare and then crash junk cars, to determine who would survive the mayhem on the Del Mar Arena track to keep their car rolling longer than any of the others. By the time the trophy winner was determined, some of the twisted and smashed-up cars were barely recognizable!
Of course, no visit to the fair would be complete without visiting the bright and colorful rides and games of chance at the Midways (there are two).
Fair graphic logo
(Jan Wagner)
Still coming up in the final week of the fair is the Fourth of July celebration, complete with a patriotic parade featuring the Del Mar and Solana Beach Fire Departments, the Marine Corps Marching Band, entertainers, a spectacular fireworks show and more; Monster Trucks performing daily in the Del Mar Arena, concerts, fair food, exhibits galore and so much more.
For more information, visit: https://www.sdfair.com.
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