DEL MAR -- While thousands of people descend on the Del Mar Fairgrounds every day during the San Diego County Fair each year, few are even aware of the number of people who never leave during the three-week season.

Officials say that nearly 5,000 livestock exhibitors, carnival workers and vendors call the fairgrounds home on any given night in campgrounds and small, rented "jockey quarters."

More of the 2009 San Diego County Fair

"One-third of the total fairgrounds, including the parking lots, are dedicated to allowing folks to stay here," said Ray Mooney, the fair's night information officer.

Most of the places to sleep are in the secured stable areas on the north side of the property behind a fence and out of sight of the average fairgoer.

But visitors can spot a row of jockey quarters in the heart of the fair on the south side of the livestock barn -- 10-by-12-foot rooms with nothing but a light and a sink.

The rooms don't have beds or showers. Fair employees affectionately call the beige-and-green wooden building of 48 rooms the "Motel 6."

Livestock exhibitors who want to be "extra close" to their animals rent the rooms for $50 per week and shower in the public restrooms, "usually in the early morning or late at night to avoid the crowds," said Jaime Mendoza, the fair's livestock coordinator.

In the old days, people could sleep in the barn areas with their prized animals, Mendoza said.

Security issues put an end to that, he said.

Animal exhibitor Karianne Wilterding said there were "certain unfortunate circumstances where people would actually let other people's animals out" of their barns.

Wilterding got back from her honeymoon just in time to set up camp in an RV with her family.

She has been exhibiting cattle and staying at the fair with her family's business, Torres Farms, for a number of years.

The agriculture teacher and her husband, Matt, said they stay at the fairgrounds to get more sleep.

She said they would get only three hours of sleep a night if they commuted from their farm in Fallbrook, instead of the six hours they get between the time the barns close at 10 p.m. and reopen at 5 each morning.

"We are able to stay close, but without being on top of the animals," said Karianne's mother, Debbie Torres, of Fallbrook. "It makes it a whole lot easier."

The Torres family stays in the secured stable area known as "backstretch housing," which is reached by crossing the dirt racetrack and passing through a security gate.

Once within the gates, a whole bustling community opens up.

Rows of RVs are lined up parallel, on a first-come, first-served basis, between the closed horse stalls and tents that line the breezeways between buildings.

The fair designates three separate areas for livestock exhibitors, vendors and carnival workers.

The worker area sometimes "gets a little crazy" at night, and that it's a good thing it's segregated from the more family-oriented livestock exhibitor area, Mendoza said.

Elena Cristiano is a freelance writer.

Special Sunday

- 10 a.m. -- Robotics final demonstration, Kids Best

- 11:30 a.m. -- How red worms clean up your garden, Flower Show Stage

- 12:30 p.m. -- Rinestone Cowboy, SDG&E Showcase Stage

- 1:30 p.m. -- Corn husking contest, Farm

- 4 p.m. -- Elvis tribute contest, Coors Light Rock On Stage

- 7:30 p.m. -- Intocable with Patrulla 81, Heineken Grandstand 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, except June 15 & 22. 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.