Special Days: Fourth of July

The San Diego County Fair is over for 2009. We had tons of fun, and we hope you did, too! We have left the information about the 2009 Fair on the Web site so that you'll have an idea of what it's all about. Much of this information will disappear at the end of 2009 when we will have the re-designed Web site featuring the 2010 Fair theme. Please check back in April or May, 2010, for updated information on activities at the 2010 San Diego County Fair.

What better place is there to spend Independence Day than at an all-American county fair? Highlighting the day will be the traditional fireworks display, which will happen at approximately 9:00PM. The fireworks display is visible throughout the Fairgrounds, so as long as you're outside, there's no better place to watch!

We'll start the day with a patriotic Opening Ceremony about 9:30AM at the O'Brien Gate. When the gates open about 10:00AM, there'll be plenty to do, including a great lineup of evening entertainment, capped by the King of Motown, Smokey Robinson, in a free-with-Fair-admission performance on our Heineken Grandstand Stage immediately following the fireworks display.

We have several great contests throughout the day. No pre-registration is required; just show up and participate! Our special Fourth of July contests are (click the links to find out more): "Quilt of Valor" Quilt Block Contest, where adult participants make a red, while and blue quilt block of a specified size and all blocks are then sewn into quilts for our troops serving overseas; Hannah Montana Look Alike Day and Idol Day, Karaoke, both open to kids aged 5-17; and Most Patriotic Costume Contest, for all ages, at 3:30PM on the Infield Stage.

Bank of America will be at the Fair June 29 through July 4 to help support military families. During that time, military families can stop by the Bank of America booth in the Plaza de Mexico for special offers.

Like Zydeco? This lively Louisiana music will be featured in the last of the Saturday night Dance Parties on the SDG&E Showcase Stage. Cajun dance lessons at 5:00PM by Pat Muller of the Bon Temps Social Club, followed by dancing to Lisa Haley and the Zydekats, a Grammy-nominated zydeco dance band at 6:00PM. (Click on the band name to hear some of that great music!)

Hometown Heroes: KyXy 96.5 and the 2009 San Diego County Fair are once again honoring individuals who make our community and country a better, safer, healthier, place to live. Up to 400 lucky Hometown Heroes will be honored at the San Diego County Fair on the Fourth of July. They will receive tickets to the Fair and participate in the Hometown Heroes parade from the Infield to the Grandstand. The heroes will also have reserved seating at the Grandstand Show that features the Navy Band Southwest, fireworks and Smokey Robinson. (Nominations closed on June 19.)

Hometown Heroes Parade: At about 6:45PM, the Hometown Heroes parade will start in the Sparkletts Water Infield, go through the tunnel and into the Grandstand area, led by the Circle City Sidewalk Stompers clown band. This year, we have a very special treat: Mountain Fife and Drums from Lake Arrowhead, CA (pictured). The Mountain Fifes & Drums has 60 members, all between the ages of 10 and 18. Kids are eligible to join following 4th grade graduation, and they are expected to remain in the program until high school graduation. The Mountain Fifes & Drums provides 25-35 annual public service performances. They were one of three Fife & Drum Corps selected to perform at “America’s 400th Anniversary” held at Jamestown, Virginia, celebrating 400 years since the first permanent English Settlement in the New World.

Heineken Grandstand Stage concert: The Grandstand Stage show will start at 7:30PM with the traditional performance by the talented and fabulous Navy Band Southwest, a Fourth of July tradition since 1993. Fireworks will follow at approximately 9:00PM, and then Smokey Robinson will keep the party going, starting at about 9:30PM. This show is free with Fair admission for unreserved seats, but you might want to buy the gourmet dinner package or a reserved seat. Click Smokey's name (above) for details.

Plan to stay after the fireworks, and let the beach traffic clear. All of our exhibits, shopping halls and rides will stay open until midnight (except Kids' Best, which closes at 10:00PM, and Kiddieland, which will close about 11:00PM). We also will have plenty of late-night entertainment on several stages, all free with Fair admission. (Click the link to see a list of entertainers performing after 5:00PM on July 4.)

And by the way, July 4 is NOT the final day of the Fair this year! We will have one more great day of fun on Sunday, July 5.

Please see the July 4 Daily Schedule for a complete lineup of events. Be sure to check the Daily Schedule a couple of days in advance so you have the most accurate information.