Special today

- All day -- Celebrate Solana Beach Day, San Diego Pavilion

- 11 a.m. -- Polymer clay fun, Kids' Best

- 1 p.m. -- Cultivating African violets, Flower Show Stage

- 2:30 p.m. -- Mary Lou Metzger, SDG&E Showcase Stage

- 4 p.m. -- Stars of Dance and Music, Plaza Stage

- 7:30 p.m. -- The Music of Abba, Heineken Grandstand Stage

- 9 p.m. -- Pure Prairie League, Chevy Paddock Stage

Daily fair features

- Coco's Pie Eating Contest, Plaza Stage, noon. -- Contestants called by age groups to vie for the blue ribbon.

- Doggies of the Wild West Show, Sparkletts Water Infield, 12:30 and 2 p.m. -- Trained pooches of the prairie amaze and delight with tricks.

- Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, Durante Area, 11 a.m., 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. -- Piglets race for Oreo cookies.

- Hypnotist Mark Yuzuik, San Diego Showcase Stage, except for Thursdays and Saturdays, when the show will be at the Infield Stage, 5 and 7 p.m. -- Master hypnotist mesmerizes audience members.

Fair facts at a glance

WHEN: Through July 5. Gates open at 10 a.m. Saturdays, Sundays & July 3, 11 a.m. other days. Grounds generally close at midnight Saturdays, Sundays & July 3, and 11 p.m. other days. Buildings open 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays & July 3; 11 a.m. other days. Buildings close at 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 10 p.m. other days; midnight on July 3 & 4. The carnival is open from 11 a.m. to midnight weekdays and from 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays, Sundays and July Fourth.

WHERE: Just west of Interstate 5 at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Via de la Valle is the freeway exit.

HOW MUCH: Adults, $13; seniors 62 and older, $7; children 6 through 12, $7; children 5 and under, free.

PARKING: $10 for standard vehicles and $15 for motor homes. "Preferred parking" near the main gate, $15.

SHUTTLES: Free parking and shuttle service is available daily at Horsepark, 14550 El Camino Real, just off of Via de la Valle at El Camino Real. On weekends and on July Fourth, from 9 to 1 a.m., additional shuttles will run every 15 minutes from Torrey Pines High School (3710 Del Mar Heights Road, Carmel Valley) and from MiraCosta College's San Elijo Campus, (3333 Manchester Ave., Cardiff).

TELEPHONE: (858) 793-5555

WEB SITE: www.sdfair.com

Public transportation to and from the fair

North County residents can ride the Coaster and the Sprinter to catch a special Breeze bus to the fair. Amtrak service operates daily; the Coaster operates every day except Sunday and July 4. Both trains stop at the Solana Beach station, 2 miles from the Fairgrounds. North County Transit District operates a continuous shuttle to and from the station, and an express bus from Escondido to the Fair. For Coaster and bus information, visit www.gonctd.com. For Amtrak information, visit www.amtrak.com.