mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Kirk and (sometimes) Cathy write about food and sometimes add in little tidbits about how and where the food was attained. This is one of those posts, written by Cathy.
The 2019 San Diego County Fair, the largest attended County Fair in the USA (and fifth largest Fair of any kind), has been open since May 31 and will have its final day on July 4. I wrote a short post before the Fair opened and hope that many of you have already had a chance to attend. The Mister and I have visited the Fairgrounds a few times and this short post is just a small taste of some of the Fair foods we have had, and some of what we have seen. There will be a 'Part Three' wrap up post, after the closing. Soo and Maggie have attended.
The theme of the 2019 Fair, "OzSome" focuses on the L. Frank Baum original book series, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" (and not the movie-musical which most of us have seen on television). There are far more details in the 13 volume book series.
From 1947-1984, Spanish actor Tommy Hernandez portrayed Don Diego as the Official Ambassador to the Fair. After the death of Hernandez, instead of having another actor portray Don Diego Alvarado, whose family had a large land grant in the Del Mar area during the late 1800s, a 16 foot tall bronze statue stands at the entrance to the Fairgrounds, appropriately dressed for the Theme. 
Once you walk inside, there are characters greeting and walking around, ready to pose with families for photos. 
Each of the various Exhibit areas is decorate in the Fair theme. 
As are many of the entries and displays.
The tornado ravaged home, crushing the Wicked Witch (look to the bottom left in this photo), is quite an original display in Home and Hobby. 
As are the entries in so many divisions.
I know, you are here for the food. Here's a bit of what is available. 
Inside Bing Crosby Hall, the old Dixie's Mini Donuts stand has been sold, name changed to Lillie B's Donuts and reversed (you pay first then walk along and watch your order prepared). Still hot and fresh and a traditional treat. 
As always, a sandwich from the Roxy's fair booth is a given for us. This year it was the artichoke sandwich ($13, because we added avocado). This sandwich is just wonderful, yet we never order a sandwich at the restaurant.
Another regular 'Fair food' for us comes from the Fresh Cream Puff booth. This year there was an offering of a 'Neapolitan' puff- with chocolate, vanilla and strawberry cream…but the strawberry wasn't ready yet, so we asked if we could just have a chocolate and vanilla combo…($4) the shell was fresh made as were the real whipped creams. An indulgence we can't find 'on the outside'. 
The Mister always must order 'something pesto' from Pignotti's. This year is was the tortellini. Cheese filled and slathered in the wonderful basil-garlic-olive oil sauce…a comfort food. 
There's a 'new' booth on the Midway this year (it had been closer to the animal barns in previous years) selling cheese curds ($7). These were served on a bed of garlic-parsley-coarse salted fries, which were also quite good, although the squeaky cheese was just a perfect bite. 
There are a few 'themed' items, like this "Wicked Witch" Sriracha ceviche. 
As well as a duo of "Good Witch" and "Wicked Witch" toasts…and everything else on the menu at the Emerald Eatery inside the Paul Ecke Garden Show area (This restaurant/booth changes annually with Fair Themed, 'healthier' choices).
There will be plenty more activities to show in the third post of this series. There's a week to go: the Junior Livestock Auction is tomorrow, fireworks the evening of the 4th of July, and so much more to enjoy until then (Woodworking, Gems and Minerals, Concerts, Flower Show, Photography and Art, Creative Youth, the Farm in Family Funville, the Theme Exhibit, rides, carnival games, Petting Zoo, Camels, Pig Races and a few daily contests (watermelon spitting, pie eating and more) and events. Since the admission is $20 per person, you could still buy a "Best Pass Ever" for $32-it's a season pass, and gets you in every day of the Fair (so you feel no pressure to do everything at once)) at Vons or Albertsons.
San Diego County Fair Website Open daily at 11 (10 a.m. on July 4). Free parking this year only at Torrey Pines High School and Miracosta College (with a free shuttle) $5 parking at Horse Park and $17 parking at the Fairgrounds
It's OzSome!
