North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County special

DEL MAR ---- More than 1.26 million people attended the 2007 San Diego County Fair, breaking an attendance record set three years earlier, fairgrounds officials said Thursday.

DEL MAR ---- Military personnel were the "Hometown Heroes" honored Wednesday as the San Diego County Fair wrapped up its 2007 run, on pace to break previous attendance records, officials said.

DEL MAR -- Some were big, some were little, and in the end, many of them popped.

DEL MAR -- With the usual bustle of fairgoers shopping, devouring food and spinning around on rides outside, Emmanuel Yeboah sat Monday at a table inside the Celebration of Heroes exhibit at the San Diego County Fair offering an attraction of a different kind.

DEL MAR ---- People who use wheelchairs were having a hard time seeing the merchandise at Jeff Thornberry's booth at the San Diego County Fair.

DEL MAR ----Jim Rendina attended Bonsai Day at the San Diego County Fair almost 20 years ago as an unsuspecting tree artist in the making.

DEL MAR ---- On a warm afternoon at the San Diego County Fair, Fallbrook 4-H member Melissa Morrison made a cool $1,900 by selling her grand champion lamb at the fair's annual junior livestock auction in front of hundreds of spectators Saturday.

DEL MAR --- Oceanside resident Don Vaugh came flying into the arena at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Friday afternoon.

DEL MAR ---- Today, trains whiz by the Del Mar Fairgrounds without stopping. But that may not always be the case.

DEL MAR ---- With smiles on their faces and freshly shined dancing shoes on their feet, nine couples hammed it up for the judges Thursday during the San Diego County Fair's annual ballroom dance contest.

Amid the traditional fare of funnel cakes, carnival rides and 4-H animals, San Diego County fairgoers Saturday will be treated to something a little out of the ordinary -- conversations with Escondido educators and administrators.

Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar
Dates, Hours, Admission Prices
2007 Dates

The 2007 San Diego County Fair will run 22 days, from Friday, June 8, through Wednesday, July 4. The Fair will be closed three Mondays (June 11, 18 & 25) and two Tuesdays (June 12 & 19).
Admission (2007 prices)
Adults $12.00
Ages 62 and older $6.00
Ages 6-12 $6.00
Ages 5 and younger Free

Hours
Admission Gates
10:00AM to 11:00PM Friday and Saturday
10:00AM to 10:00PM other days
Grounds stay open until approximately midnight.

Exhibit and Shopping Buildings
10:00AM to 11:00PM Friday and Saturday
10:00AM to 10:00PM other days
Exhibit buildings will stay open until midnight on July 4, our closing day.

The Fun Zone
10:00AM to approximately midnight Saturdays and Sundays
11:00AM to approximately midnight other days
Kiddieland
10:00AM to approximately 11:00PM on Saturdays and Sundays
11:00AM to approximately 11:00PM other days
Information on discounts for admission, parking, rides and more
Recorded Information Line
The Fair's 24-hour recorded information telephone line is 858-793-5555. The information is updated daily during the Fair. To reach a Fairgrounds operator or employee, call 858-755-1161.