Theme Exhibit

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.

The Music Mania Theme Exhibit at the San Diego County Fair will be the centerpiece of the theme, celebrating the history and variety of music, with many interactive, fun exhibits. This exhibit, which is presented by Jeffrey Scott Fine Magnetics, is just west of the O'Brien Gate (the main entrance gate to the Fair).

Whether you enter the San Diego County Fair's Music Experience on the red carpet with the "paparazzi" or getting past the bouncer at the "backstage entrance," there is music to "see" and music to experience. With our partners the Morrison Hotel Gallery, Carvin, Digidesign and the Museum of Making Music, we've made every step of the way engaging, interactive and mesmerizing. So let's get started!

Memories of Michael: In tribute to the late Michael Jackson, the Music Mania Theme Exhibit now includes a timeline of his career, including a video montage of his top-rated music videos. Share your memories of how his music affected your life at the special memories board and memories book. On Sunday, July 5, be sure to catch the performance of Who's Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band, at 9:00PM Sunday, July 5. More information is on the Chevrolet Paddock Concert Series page of this Web site.

Features of the Theme Exhibit

• Learn about some of the most popular music genres and the musicians who helped to popularize them — Classical, Country, Hip Hop/Rap, Jazz, Rhythm & Blues/Soul, Rock & Roll — with the help of Museum of Making Music.
• Pick up an instrument you might like to play at "It's All In Your Head" personal concert experience.
• Learn about music through time and experience a true "musical family tree."
• Share your favorite concert moment on our Concert Memories wall.
• Which performers are divas and which ones have their feet firmly planted on the ground? Read some concert riders and guess who needs green M&Ms, who requires the temperature set at 60º F, who wants fried chicken and greens on Wednesdays only, and who only needs a bottle of water — all at the "Concert Rider Stage."
• Learn about the latest in studio recording when you record your own song with the record technician on the other side of the glass. And then, take home your recording — all with the help of Carvin Corporation and Digidesign.
• Experience the steps it takes to create a custom guitar, starting with a block of wood to the finished product — thanks to Carvin.
• Take a glimpse into the past with a display of some retro Shure microphones.
• Experience what it would feel like to be "on the cover of …" Whether it's Girl Power, Boy Bands or the Beat of a Different Drum, have your photo taken with your friends as one of the most famous bands in music history.
• See how recorded music has evolved, from recording on music cylinders to carrying music in our pocket, and everything in between.
• Relive history as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock with an authentic 1966 Volkswagen Bug painted by a "child of the '60s" during the first nine days of the Fair (June 12-21). You can help her decide what to paint by adding your own psychedelic artwork to the area. The VW will remain on display through the end of the Fair.
• Check out the Grammy Album of the Year Wall — a collection of all 51 Grammy winning albums — who won, and who should have!
• Stop by the "15 Minutes of Fame" Stage for some Wii music, conduct an orchestra, star in a rock band, or keep the beat; be a contestant and win "fabulous prizes" in our very own music game show; sit down, relax and enjoy a music movie; start your own "band" and join the daily Guitar Hero band competition.
• A special feature of the "15 Minutes of Fame" stage will take place from June 23-29. The Amazing Harmonatras will help everyone learn about instrument history while they sing along with this lively duo. Kids can join in the "Band of Bob" and play along.
• Visit "Raised on Radio" — our tribute to the music-format radio stations in San Diego's past and present.
• See an amazing poster collection on loan from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame covering 50 years.
• Visit our groovy Club Lounge for beer tasting by Oskar Blues Brewery.
• Take a moment to reflect on some of music's beloved artists who left too soon at "The Day the Music Died," a special photographic feature with the help of the Morrison Hotel Gallery.
• If music is your passion, let us inspire you on how to make your dreams come true with our music education area, with the help of Carlsbad's Museum of Making Music.
• And don't miss the "merch booth" to remember your music experience at the Fair, including autographed guitars by musicians who have performed at the Fair.

Some special guests

We have some special guests from the music industry, who will share their insider's information with Fair guests. Come hear "Shotgun Tom" Kelly, longtime San Diego radio personality; Rich Horowitz of the Morrison Hotel Gallery; and Carolyn Grant, executive director of the Museum of Making Music. Click for more information on these special guests.

Interactive experiences

Guitar Hero, the Band — Enter our ongoing "Guitar Hero, the Band" contest. Participate in one of the 15 preliminary rounds June 12-28. Sign up at the exhibit until 3:00PM each day. The first five bands to sign up will compete, and the top scorer will move on to the semi-finals. Three bands from the semi-finals will compete in the finals on July 3.
Guitar Hero Contest Rules [PDF format]

Music Game Show — Our music game show is a Jeopardy-type format, although we ask the questions and you give us the answers. The categories cover different areas of music — history, genres, song titles, one-hit wonders and more. Our music therapy major is the host, so get ready to test your knowledge and beat the competition.