2018 San Diego County Fair- How Sweet It Is (and it was)

Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!! another day.  Kirk usually writes here, but is very busy with work.  Cathy is writing today's San Diego food-centric post.

Since 2007, I've written at least two posts each year about the fifth largest (in terms of attendance) County Fair in the United States, held in this beautiful County beginning in June and ending around July 4. Circumstances changed this year and I did not write a 'before the Fair opens' nor a 'during the Fair' post.  This is a summary post about the 2018 County Fair.  IMG_5863 The theme of "How Sweet It Is" was announced, as always, in October (I'll add the 2019 theme at the bottom of this post when it's announced).   32252155-F384-4A41-B35D-0FBDA8F2631F
 The 'official greeter' at the Fair this year was Sparkle The Unicorn and that ‘unicorn’ part of the theme was seen at every food booth- as a food item on the menu. I thought this was a good idea to keep the Fair unique. IMG_5887
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IMG_5887Most of the 'unicorn' themed items were multi-colored/multi-ingredient/multi-flavored concoctions.
IMG_5887Then in the far corner of Bing Crosby Exhibit Hall, at the Mom's Cookies booth, my favorite rendition of staying within the unicorn theme without being all wild and crazy…

There will be more food writings after this brief interlude.

The 'footprint' of the Fair was essentially the same, with some theme-related twists and of course, new exhibit entries.   IMG_5128  The Paul Ecke Garden Show had many displays. The one done by the Model Railroad club included the C&H Sugar Refining Company as part of the 'sweet' vignette. 46F62ED1-2843-41EE-B15D-14E66527E6CEThe chalk art contest had entries which were 'sweet' centric.
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There were plenty of 'Instagram worthy' areas within the Fair Theme Exhibit and in random areas.IMG_6691Even the Gems and Minerals area had a 'Dessert Table' display. Yes, those are all rocks.
IMG_6770 Woodworking didn't have theme related exhibits, but did display the 'Best of Show' proudly.
IMG_6770Especially compared to Home and Hobby's 'Best of Show' winner, relegated to being folded in the corner of a middle shelf. IMG_5378 IMG_5372I didn't even see a "Best of Show" in the Preserved Foods area, but the display was cute and very different this year.  Almost all the Home and Hobby area of the Fair was different, with a lot of activities and displays centered around adult '’modern”/simple glue-based crafts and only a weaving demonstration going on in a far corner.90293904-429D-454D-A626-ECD57294CB97 The Spinners were demonstrating their skills in the "California Grown" exhibit area, D70919FD-23CB-4A2E-9F37-EBA6B5D281D2 which is always informative, with displays geared toward farming and younger Fairgoers. I couldn't find the machine knitting, quilting or lacemaking demonstrations this year.

Back to the "food portion” of this post:0A6FBF21-2E6C-408C-AA07-9CB8EDD2986F
0A6FBF21-2E6C-408C-AA07-9CB8EDD2986FPignotti's Pasta had a 'spaghetti donut' topped with pesto.  The interior of the fried 'donut' was a creamy, wonderful 'mac and cheese' consistency and flavor.  We always like the pesto here; this had everything: flavors, textures and a normal portion size.
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0A6FBF21-2E6C-408C-AA07-9CB8EDD2986FThe Mediterranean Gyros Booth had two things I wanted to try this year- the Falafel Waffle ($9.19) (quite large, good at first but it got tougher as it cooled down)…kind of thick for a falafel. Still, a good meal. C0806137-65F3-49B3-872D-9037F5F9B0C2 Also the bacon baklava ($5.52).  Not the bacon wrapped version, just the wonderful, fresh, flaky pastry filled with sweet nuts and bacon.  This was probably my favorite item this year; hope it is back next year. A0ACBCB3-785F-4EAA-A0CC-7D100D0E55B7We shared a snack of ribs, which hit the spot.
A0ACBCB3-785F-4EAA-A0CC-7D100D0E55B7Finally broke down and had a bean and cheese navajo taco (good, but the plain fry bread with powdered sugar is really good, too).
A0ACBCB3-785F-4EAA-A0CC-7D100D0E55B7 For the first time in a decade or so, we had a cinnamon roll, with 'everything'-cream cheese icing and walnuts. 
A0ACBCB3-785F-4EAA-A0CC-7D100D0E55B7A 'healthy' snack from Chicken Charlie was chosen…cucumber-tomato salad. 
A0ACBCB3-785F-4EAA-A0CC-7D100D0E55B78483BD87-BA06-43A4-AD99-09BDEEA16BBC As well as a (hot from the oven) turkey sandwich from the Paddock grill (which makes great food for people at the Racetrack during the Season).IMG_5930As always, we had to get a cream puff (or two) along with some coffee. 
IMG_5930It was another fun San Diego tradition which we look forward to every year.  

Website
IMG_4539 Other 2018 Fair posts: Soo went to the 2018 Fair twice

As always, on  Tuesday after the three day October weekend, the 22nd Agricultural District announced the theme and logo for the next Fair.  Behold:
IMG_9634It's going to be awesome Oz-some.