The 2014 San Diego County Fair-Part One- Before it opens

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog about food: not just purchasing and preparing food, but purchasing and eating prepared food although sometimes we blog just thinking of the possibilities of food. Cathy is posting today because Kirk and Ed(from Yuma) are still out preparing and/or purchasing and/or thinking.

It is that time of year again.  Saturday June 7 is the opening day of the 2014 San Diego County Fair- with its theme of "The Fab Fair". The largest County Fair in Caliornia and fourth largest in the USA, "our" Fair is a local happening for most of us. 

The front gate has a Yellow Submarine theme.

The Midway is being set up.  The usual vendors are here.Exhibits are being set up.Preserved Foods (the 'heart' of the Fair) have been judged and put on display.

The other Home and Hobby Competitions have also been judged and set up for display. 

 Chicken Charlie's will be opening a Brick and Mortar store in San Diego later this year, ostensibly to test new food items for the 2015 Fair season (and beyond) For now, the new items are listed in the signage above (fried chicken skins and that delightful looking triple decker cheesburger with a Krispy Kreme donut bun).

The Bacon-A-Fair booth will be selling a churro, injected with 1/2 shot of Jack Daniels, wrapped in bacon, then grilled, rolled in sugar and served with maple syrup and whipped cream.

The Grant Burger booth will be selling two new items: the bacon jam burger (bacon burger with an onion-garlic-maple syrup jam) and a chile relleño-chorizo-avocado topped burger on a pretzel roll (which will be conveniently cut into four pieces so you can share).

Other new Fair Foods can be found via this link. Scroll down.  The cauliflower sandwich at Grinders in Plaza de Mexico sounds very interesting.

The Exit gate.

See you at the Fair!

Check the website for discounts and details (scroll down; there is free parking). 

The 2014 San Diego County Fair Website June 7-July 6, closed Mondays.

Comments

[caninecologne]

Excellent post and preview! Looking forward to seeing the Fab Fair exhibit, the collections and the artichoke sandwich (maybe cauliflower this year) again! The Fair's theme is definitely FAB! Love the use of the iconic Dezo Hoffman "jump" silhouettes of the Beatles.

[Kirbie]

this is my favorite post you do each year =) I've been seeing all the Fair news and have been eagerly anticipating your post.

[Soo]

Thanks for the awesome preview! :-) Can't wait for that delicious fried zucchini. :-)

[Jinxieats]

Thanks for sharing Cathy! I'm looking forward to FINALLY checking out the fair this year as I've been in SD for over two years and haven't gone yet! Love the theme this year =)

[Cathy]

Thanks, cc. So nice to see you know art and design backgrounds as well as the food and entertainment aspects of this event.
I didn't know that, Kirbie. Thank you. I try to share when I can and my first photos were before Memorial weekend, when very little had been set up.
Chicken Charlie's sells "Zucchini Curls", Soo. I think a compendium comparison of zucchini items from the Fair is an idea...
How exciting for you, Jinxie- your first San Diego Fair. Wear comfy shoes, sunscreen and use the map-there is so much to do and see! Try the free parking option; the 15 minutes or so sitting before getting back to your car is a nice break.

[Faye]

I didn't know about the Chicken Charlie's Brick & Mortar opening here in SD! I've seen him on that TV show and he seems interesting. Hopefully you'll be able to try one of the new food items that debuts this year.

[Cathy]

Saw this article a few weeks ago, Faye: http://sandiego.eater.com/archives/2014/05/12/fair-food-vendors-fried-treats-going-brickandmortar.php and my imagination has been going wild with the possibilities...will it sell 'tasting/testing' items or will it be the 'standbys'...and will the portions and prices be the same or more reasonable...and will it be as crowded as the 85C in the same parking lot. Oh the anticipation.