SAN DIEGO — This year’s theme for the San Diego County Fair is “Heroes Reunite.”
You can see life size superheroes at the Hall of Heroes Exhibit and organizers say everyone is excited for this year’s fair after being closed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Preparations are underway and every superhero you can imagine, you can probably find at the San Diego County Fair this year.
“Larger than life Hulk, Superman, Wonder Woman,” said Jennifer Hellman, marketing director for the San Diego County Fair. “If you didn’t get to go to Comicon, this is a good place to come,”
Guest can even ride the Batmobile! But other than the Hall of Heroes, there are other reasons to spend time at the fair.
“Some people come just for the food and other people come actually for the shopping and they’ll spend all day shopping, and of course those that come for the rides,” said Hellman.
Heading to the San Diego County Fair? We’ll be there too! CBS 8 wants to hear from you at the CBS 8 “pop-up” newsroom at the fair. Let us know what’s on YOUR mind as we’re always “Working for You.”
With an array of food options, you really can’t go wrong with deep fried…Everything!
While Hellman has tried pretty much everything at the fair, she has her favorites.
“Tasti chips with jalapeno cheese on top and for sweets, if you haven’t had mom chocolate chip cookies, that is new this year,” said Hellman.
And for food vendors owners like Carmel Dyer, who’s from Australia and owns Australian Battered Potatoes, she has traveled down to Del Mar for the past 37 years for the San Diego County Fair.
Dyer says she’s been eagerly waiting for opening day.
“Just the excitement of seeing all our friends that we haven’t seen for a long time, revisiting people from the fair at the fair, there’s been quite a few changes, but we call that life,” said Dyer.
Stacy Abdullah and her sister Sharon drove up to the Del Mar Fairgrounds from Chula Vista to reminisce on their fun fair days and introduce their kids to the total fried food experience.
“I think they're going to do the big slide, and I'm looking for, hopefully it's still here, but I want that donut burger and the fried Oreos,” Sharon said.
For Opening day, we didn't see the Dixieland Band at the front gates like years past, but there are plenty of new acts and Live performances like a four-member acoustic band on the "Avenue Stage."
Yosemite Sign Carving Company is back for its 30th year. The small family-owned business making custom wood carved signs as doorhangers and decorations.
"It was rough for Covid, and when we did not do the shows, especially for everyone here because this is what we count on you know to make our living,” said Hailey of Yosemite Sign Carving, whose dad has been carving wood since he was 12 years old.
First Day Fair attendees found the low crowds and high clouds a big plus for families. Eric and Miranda Williams came from San Marcos to celebrate their son graduating elementary to middle school. They chowed down on a foot-long corndog, plate full of bacon cheese fries and garlic bread pizza.
"There are so many things that were exactly the way they were when I was a kid, you know like the rocks and minerals and certain things that look like the same, exact exhibit, but there's always something different to see, so it is worth coming back,” Eric Williams said.
Inside the Bing Crosby Hall, you can let your hair down with a Belleavie 2-in-1 blow-dryer brush.
Attendees can test out workout equipment, relax with a massage and before you take a seat, take a look at the Telescopic Stools that are foldable and portable round chairs.
Sweep Smart is superfast broom selling for $30 with a built-in dustpan that “takes the chore out of sweeping the floor.”
One Mexican funnel cake costs $29 with strawberry and whipped cream.
One of the few changes at the fair this year is that everything is electronic. Tickets must be purchased before you enter, and that also includes buying parking passes.
And weekday tickets will be slightly cheaper at $15 and weekend tickets will be $20.
The Big Daddy Orchestra will be performing for the first time at the fair Wednesday through Friday from 6:30- 9 p.m. in the Charity Fair Horse Arena.
So, whether it’s food, the rides, or musical acts, you’ll find it all at the San Diego County Fair!
The fair grounds are open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. starting Wednesday, June 8 and closing day is on Monday, July 4th.
For more information on what you need to know before getting in the car and heading to the fair, click here.
WATCH RELATED: 2022 San Diego County Fair