The 2014 San Diego County Fair-Part Two-sights, foods and fun!

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog about food.  Sometimes there are situations surrounding the acquisition of food.  Today's post is about one of those times.  Cathy is writing.

The 2014 San Diego County Fair opened on June 7.  It will close this Sunday, July 6. Plan to go over there soon to join in the festivities of this "Fab Fair".  I'm going to mostly add photos and just a few explanations at the end.  The fifth largest County Fair in the USA is overwhelming with things to see, do and eat.    

As I said, overwhelming.  The Mister and I have been here multiple times, met friends, gone with family and tried out the various food items. There have been countless competition entries in so many categories within Home & Hobby, Design in Wood, Gems, Minerals & Jewelry, Photography, Fine Art and all of their subcategories. There have been Daily Contests, 4H competitions (and those animals will be auctioned on July 5), instructional presentations, pig races, turkey stampede, Garden Show,  concerts,  the New Farm at Family Funville near the Kid's Zone. You've missed the Toast of the Coast Wine Festival, San Diego International Beer Festival and the 10th annual Gospel Festival.  There is still a daily Craft Beer/Wine Experience in the Home & Hobby area and on July 5, the Big Bite Bacon Fest will be back. 

Some of the photos of food consumed include the fresh made cream puff, pretzel, $2 Tuesday samples, zucchini curls, a Pink's chili dog, Indian fry bread and grilled cauliflower sandwich (a new item and personal favorite of mine; I've had/shared four this year, so far). 

There is a free shuttle and parking near the Fairgrounds, if you don't want to pay the $10 fee.  It's all listed on the Website. Hope to see you there! You can see fireworks all over the county at 9 p.m. on July 4, but the fireworks seen from the Midway at the Fair are particularly beautiful.Other Blogger perspectives of the 2014 San Diego County Fair Here, Here and  Here.  Here too. 

Comments

[SteveC]

What is on that cauliflower sandwich? Green apple? Onion? Looks good whatever it is!

[Cathy]

Thanks for reading through, SteveC! It's roasted cauliflower, Monterey Jack cheese, arugula (a bit peppery/bitter) with sliced Granny Smith apple with garlic and honey on the toasted squaw bread. It really is good and at the Grinders booth in Plaza de Mexico...I keep trying to replicate it at home.

[caninecologne]

What a great (almost) wrap-up post! That cauliflower sandwich was pretty good, I must say! Wow, you also those Mardi Gras Beatle heads in action too! The fair is not just about the food and rides but also about the competitions (4H, baking, crafts, etc). A lot of hard work goes into making these fairs a fun experience for all.

[J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats]

Any other favorites besides the cauliflower sandwich? Possibly going on Saturday and the food can be very hit or miss so currently scanning SD blogs for recommendations :)

[Cathy]

You are so right, cc. The 'behind the scenes' planning, execution and daily variations of things to do make each visit unique- I hadn't seen the Sidewalk Chalk art competition before, much less what the gate opening looks like (I did see the Boy Scouts raising the flag and Pledge of Allegiance once a few years ago).

Hi J.S.- Other favorites are the artichoke sandwich and/or falafel sandwich at Roxy's, near Bing Crosby Hall. The lobster sandwich (on the infield) was really good. The plain (not bacon wrapped) turkey legs and the Caramel Apple Tower are always good. Chicken kabob with hummus at Chicken Charlie's is tasty. The Mister likes the pesto from Pignotti's (also near Bing Crosby) and I always must get a cream puff- *real* whipped cream! Have a great time and try to see everything!

[Faye]

I didn't get a chance to visit the fair this year so this part 2 post really made me smile. The pictures brought me there if that makes sense. Were these photos all from ONE day. Wow - how do you pace yourself w/ the food you try on a visit? Do you go with an itinerary (I always want to but get shot down by everyone). The goat pic was great - the ones lounging on the table was too funny.

[Cathy]

Thanks, Faye- I was at the Fair twice before it opened and five times while it was running; my brother and his son drove here from Detroit (on a cross country tradition started by my dad) and all of us went there on a Tuesday, when we bought more than the photographed $2 Tuesday items. I am diabetic: can eat anything, but in moderation (20 carbs per meal), so try to make smart (and share-able) choices.