DEL MAR -- For weeks now, hot dog and pizza trailers have been rolling onto the fairgrounds, cranes and scaffolding have begun to transform the skyline west of the freeway and firewood has been stacked beside giant barbecue grills as dance troupes fine-tune their routines.

The venerable San Diego County Fair -- the sixth-largest fair in the country and San Diego's largest annual party -- is gearing up to open Friday and will run through July 5 at the seaside fairgrounds, just off the Via de la Valle exit at Interstate 5.

Gates open at 10 a.m. on weekends and 11 a.m. on weekdays. (The fair will be closed on June 15 and 22, both Mondays.)

"We are coming down the home stretch now," fair spokeswoman Linda Zweig said Monday. "There is a lot of work still to do and lots of people are involved, putting up the rides and testing them for inspection -- like we do every day of the fair. But until we open the gates on Friday, there is still lots to do. I guess it's like primping before you go out, it's not all done until the last minute."

This year's theme is "Music Mania," with eight stages throughout the grounds designed to provide a variety of entertainment options, all focused on outdoor fun.

Performers such as Bret Michaels (June 17), Loretta Lynn (June 19), the Guess Who (June 23), the B-52s (June 25) and Switchfoot (June 26), are scheduled to perform on the Grandstand Stage, free with fair admission as part of the fair's Summer Concert Series.

Melissa Etheridge (June 13), American Idol contestants David Archuleta (June 13) and Kelly Clarkson (July 5) are paid shows, with tickets available on the fair Web site or through Ticketmaster.

In addition, 31 performers (12 bands and 19 soloists) will compete in an "American Idol"-style contest. Winners in both divisions will win $25,000 and the opportunity to open for Joan Jett and the Blackhearts on July 3.

In the spirit of the music theme, the Dragon Knights, a traveling music show, will stroll through the fairgrounds and dance parties will take place every Saturday night with music for all ages. Dance lessons are from 5 to 6 p.m. with a live band performance from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Showcase Stage.

Also new this year is the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, an Olympic-style competition for dogs that includes agility, diving dog, freestyle flying disc, pole racing and hurdle contests. The Dog Challenge, with practice and open tryouts on June 12 and 13, will feature top dogs and their handlers from around the country.

Other new exhibits include a Camel Dairy showcasing camels and their babies as milk-producing animals, an ongoing Guitar Hero Contest with 15 preliminary rounds (June 12-28) for bands, and a new farm exhibit on the infield with a corn maze.

Drawing more than 1.2 million visitors each year, the San Diego County Fair averaged a record 58,843 daily visitors last year. And given the state of the local economy and the fact that the fair runs one day longer this year than last, officials are hopeful this season will prove to be a record-breaking one for attendance.

"We are the best bang for the buck," Zweig said. "The thing is a lot of people are staying closer to home this year and the fair is a great deal because of all of the savings. You can bring your lunch, all of the exhibits are free and if you take advantage of the passes and coupons, it's a whole lot cheaper than Disneyland."

Zweig hastened to add that from now until the evening before the fair opens Friday, the public is invited to visit the fair's Web site at www.sdfair.com and buy admission tickets for all 22 days the fair runs for only $22. It's called the Best Pass Ever. "It's a dollar a day at the fair. You can't beat that," she said.

Children younger than 12 who read 10 books can also get free admission to the fair by downloading a certificate online and having it verified by a librarian or teacher. Also available is a three-day pass called a Frequent Fairgoer Savings Pass for $29.

Entertainment is offered with savings in mind, said fair officials. Free concerts are available throughout the grounds every day and Tuesday, children 12 and younger get in free.

On Two-Dollar Tuesday, June 16, fair admission is $2, though tickets must be purchased at Albertson's supermarkets in advance. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, $30 unlimited ride wristbands are available from noon to 8 p.m. and on Fridays, all fairgoers receive a coupon booklet with more than $500 in coupon savings on fair food and products.

The Del Mar Fairgrounds is at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Visit www.sdfair.com/fair.

San Diego County Fair

When: Opens Friday and runs through July 5 (closed June 15 and 22); gates open at 10 a.m. Saturdays, Sundays and July 3; 11 a.m. on other days. Grounds close at midnight Fridays and Saturdays and 11 p.m. other days

Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar

Tickets: $13, adults; $7, seniors (62 and up) and children ages 6 to 12; children 5 and under are free; parking is $10

Phone: 858-793-5555

Web: www.sdfair.com