It is a tradition for many to go to the Del Mar Fair and I have to admit that I have been part of that tradition for many years. It has always been my go-to for my yearly fix of cotton candy and funnel cakes. All the carnival rides were a favorite when I was younger, but that part of me has subsided to gladly standing on the sidelines watching everyone else spin around until they get sick. But I still love the food.
It is a tradition for many to go to the Del Mar Fair and I have to admit that I have been part of that tradition for many years. It has always been my go-to for my yearly fix of cotton candy and funnel cakes. All the carnival rides were a favorite when I was younger, but that part of me has subsided to gladly standing on the sidelines watching everyone else spin around until they get sick. But I still love the food.
Each year, the fair holds a media party, which is a very smart marketing tool allowing a gaggle of journalists to sample the latest and craziest food offerings for the year. On Friday night, the party was packed with people, with just about all of them using their favorite social media outlets to send out glimpses of what is in store when the fair opens. This was my first time to this yearly event and it was fun. Not only was I able to get a heads up on what’s new at the fair, but I got to casually hang out with colleagues, even running into some that I have not seen in quite a while and catch up. It was all in good fun. I’ll forgo the cotton candy this year. I fell in love with the bacon wrapped churro with Jack Daniels/molasses syrup served straight up with whipped cream.
Still have not had the chance to try that fried pickle and not quite sure if I want to.
This is all fun and games, but there is so much more to the fair that grabs my attention and makes me want to return each year.
Again this year, I spent a Sunday morning at the fair judging college, high school and middle school newspapers. This is a joy for me and I especially love going through the high school and middle school newspapers. It is inspiring to see such raw talent and drive coming from the next generation. I am always amazed at the quality of the work that they do and it reminds me that journalism is not a dying breed as the naysayers preach. There is another generation already training on how to do it right.
I am excited this year about what I know I will see as East County is represented in all of the exhibitions that the fair offers to the public. There are so many talented artists from photographers to fashion designers that get their first chance to show what they can do with their hidden talents. I caught a glimpse of the many art works, woodworks and fashions being judged and readied for display for when the fair opens. I cannot wait to go and see where East County stands in every category, and I have high expectations after seeing many of these talents already just by being part of the community.
As I walked through the gates on Friday, I was happy to see Digital Lizards of Doom playing at the media party. One of Cuyamaca College’s music industry picks that I saw at its winter concert. We are also in for a treat with La Mesa’s pop-piano wunderkind Tiff Jimber at The Fab Fair 2014 this year with two performances on June 11 and 20 at 6:00 p.m. on the O’Brien stage. I plan on being there to catch her performance. Been listening to her music since I heard about it, and it should be an excellent show.
And the fair would not be complete without giving a hearty acknowledgment to all the 4H kids that have worked their behinds off all year to make sure that the livestock of their choice is primed and ready for that blue ribbon. My son did 4H and it is not an easy task, especially depending on what animal you decide to work with. He chose a rabbit, nurtured it, took care of it and when the time came, it became a family pet.
Some things are not meant to be auctioned off.
