SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — As you have probably heard, the San Diego County Fair was postponed this week amid COVID-19 concerns. It is not only hard for the community, but especially for businesses that depend on the fair crowds.
News 8 sat down with a local business owner and fair concessionaire who said the fair is his biggest financial driver. You know ‘Chicken Charlie’ the guy who will fry pretty much anything.
Charlie told News 8 that he grew up going to the fair, along with his family they introduced Chicken Charlie’s, frying up some wild creations since 1984. He says the fair cancellation is sad for him and his family. He works the San Diego Fair, Orange County Fair, Los Angeles Fair, and the Fresno Fair, with San Diego being the biggest one for him.
Charlie says, he has planned all year long for the event but feels it is best to cancel it due to safety precautions.
Though you won’t be able to indulge in food at the fair, you can still get a taste of the fair season. Charlie relocated his restaurant from Clairemont to Rancho Bernardo. Charlie says you will still get the fair food experience, with his fried-food menu. During the stay-home-order, his restaurant is open 7 days a week from 12 pm-8 pm, take-out only.
Many fairgoers look forward to the annual tradition and the worker's plan for months. The San Diego Fair attracts over one million people each year. A tradition, at the north coast in Del Mar, people attend to enjoy fair food, the carnival, rides, exhibits, agriculture, and entertainment.
The fair had been set to take place from June 5 through July 5, a “Heroes, Unite!” superhero theme.