mmm-yoso!!!

2019 San Diego County Fair- OzSome (Part 3; the wrap-up)

Today's mmm-yoso!!! post is written by Cathy with photos from July and some tidbits about the 2020 County Fair at the bottom of this post. 

 

Usually, the Theme of the upcoming San Diego County Fair is announced in early October, but for some reason it was delayed until mid-November this year, so this final round up post seems late, but it really isn't.  

 There is so much to see and do, around every corner.  The floral competition is ongoing; you never see wilted entries.  The Professional Woodworking display and competition, with some entries within the Fair theme, is always filled with beauty and craftsmanship.  The Infield Garden area also participates within the Theme of the Fair.  Of Course, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,the original book and its 13 sequels, were the inspiration for the Theme (the book series was the inspiration for the 1939 film). The Theme information area (to the right when you walk in the main gate) was so interesting this year and helped me decide on my summer reading.

 In the Gem and Minerals area, there are always beautiful displays of crystals as well as the always changing, ever interesting display of 'food' made up of rocks, polished and plain, as well as crystals and minerals.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Which leads us to the food portion of this post... 

 We did try the deep fried bacon wrapped cheese bites one day. They were wonderful.
I had slightly mentioned in prior years that one day a week food booths offered 'samples' for $2.  Well, time marches on and this year, there were '$3 sample' signs at most booths on Thursdays.  Lucky us.  We tried this bean and cheese pupusa, which came with a nice curtido and tomato sauce salsa for $3 and planned our day.
 Gingerbread cake; had never tried, will get again.  Wonderful flavor. One piece of fish was $3, so we made a 'meal' of the fried fish here. 
Had always seen the 'BBQ pork sundae", but never tried.  The pork is very good, as is the sauce...served on top of mashed potatoes, technically a 'balanced' meal.  Interesting concept and just enough.
The 'Chocolate Tower' was a great deal-chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream, sauce, whipped cream, sprinkles...a perfect size for sharing.    Even the $3 piece of fresh made fudge was just right without having to eat a lot and take home. One way we save some money is to purchase a 'souvenir cup' of beverage (I like the iced tea at the booth which has the giant ear of corn on top, on the midway; it's unsweetened and strong) on the first visit to the Fair, the refills are half price that day and on the subsequent days when we bring the souvenir cup. Eddie's Asian Inspired Cuisine offered iced tea, lemonade and an aguas fresca-pineapple with spinach juice. The flavored lemonade choices at the booth in the bottom photo were all interesting and, in particular, the cherry brought back fond childhood memories.
Inside the Paul Ecke garden Show, near the back is always an Eatery, which changes names with the Theme of the Fair.  This is one of the booths run by the 22nd Agricultural District, so it will be there again.  The menu is also within the theme and we tried two items:The "Good Witch/Wicked Witch Toasts" ($8).  The Wicked: edamame hummus, roasted tomatoes, greens, smoked pepitas.  The Good: ricotta with black pepper, black Mission Figs, lavender honey and Black Sea salt.  Each of these were tasty, filling, and inspirational for some of our light summer meals.  

The "There's No Place Like Home" Nicoise salad ($14)had flavorful, good size pieces of seared tuna on top mixed greens and topped with fingerling potatoes, fresh (flavorful) tomato, hard boiled egg, olives and served with a mustard vinaigrette.  This was wonderful and large enough for sharing.  Can't wait to see how the menu will change for the 2020 Fair!
 We had never purchased a funnel cake at the Fair until this year.  The fried dough topped with powdered sugar was a wonderful indulgence. You can see the souvenir cup on the table in this photo.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Plans for 2020:  The Theme

 There are a few changes: parking charges have increased to $20 (and $10 at the Horsepark), HOWEVER if you purchase a parking pass before 12/31, you can save $2.  There is also a deal to purchase $25 of food coupons for $20, again before 12/31.  Plenty of other ways to save are also listed on the Website. 

 

 

Today's mmm-yoso!!! post is written by Cathy with photos from July and some tidbits about the 2020 County Fair at the bottom of this post. 

 

Usually, the Theme of the upcoming San Diego County Fair is announced in early October, but for some reason it was delayed until mid-November this year, so this final round up post seems late, but it really isn't.  

 There is so much to see and do, around every corner.  The floral competition is ongoing; you never see wilted entries.  The Professional Woodworking display and competition, with some entries within the Fair theme, is always filled with beauty and craftsmanship.  The Infield Garden area also participates within the Theme of the Fair.  Of Course, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,the original book and its 13 sequels, were the inspiration for the Theme (the book series was the inspiration for the 1939 film). The Theme information area (to the right when you walk in the main gate) was so interesting this year and helped me decide on my summer reading.

Today's mmm-yoso!!! post is written by Cathy with photos from July and some tidbits about the 2020 County Fair at the bottom of this post. 

 

Usually, the Theme of the upcoming San Diego County Fair is announced in early October, but for some reason it was delayed until mid-November this year, so this final round up post seems late, but it really isn't.  

 There is so much to see and do, around every corner.  The floral competition is ongoing; you never see wilted entries.  The Professional Woodworking display and competition, with some entries within the Fair theme, is always filled with beauty and craftsmanship.  The Infield Garden area also participates within the Theme of the Fair.  Of Course, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,the original book and its 13 sequels, were the inspiration for the Theme (the book series was the inspiration for the 1939 film). The Theme information area (to the right when you walk in the main gate) was so interesting this year and helped me decide on my summer reading.

Comments

[kat]

so much to see and taste here!

[Cathy]

There is so much to do that one day isn't quite enough time, Kat. The variety of foods offered is almost overwhelming and the $3 day is a good way to be able to enjoy a few more things. We are planning accordingly for 2020.

[Soo]

That's great you are ready for the next fair! I wonder what's going to be fried up next year...

[caninecologne]

We also had those toasts and liked both! We tried the fair specific beers as well but didn't do the speakeasy this past year. Looking forward to next year's fair with it's cool 'hero' theme.

[Cathy]

We always checked out the Chicken Charlie's (old location on Balboa) daily specials, to see if they were 'experimenting' with new things-and did try the bacon wrapped chicken legs, which were on the menu, Soo. The Chicken Charlie booth at the OC Fair had fried hummus this year (not the San Diego Fair) and the LA County Fair Chicken Charlie had a deep fried PB&J sandwich (dipped in strawberry sauce, topped with cereal) as well as deep fried cheesecake. I don't think there is much left to be fried after the Funyun ramen burrito, though...

The toasts were 'healthy' and so good, cc; kind of not 'Fair' food but limited to that audience, so a special treat. Oh, there was a speakeasy; they made it difficult to get a clue to enter this year. I've seen articles asking for people to recommend Heroes to be honored at the Fair, it will be nice to have locals as the theme; the 2007 fair "Salute to Heroes" was a really good one.

[nhbilly]

Thanks for the memory lane. I miss SoCal fairs.

nhb

[Cathy]

Fairs are such an American tradition, stemming from farmers highlighting their work of the season, Bill. Now there's something for everyone and always interesting, educational and fun!