High resolution photos available here.

 

Nearly 1,000,000 visitors Re-United at the 2022 San Diego County Fair

A total of 973,508 fairgoers visited the San Diego County Fair during its 21-day season. After a two-year hiatus, the Fair returned with a power-packed theme, “Heroes, Re-Unite!” opening Wednesday, June 8 and closing with a fireworks-filled finale on Independence Day, Monday, July 4th. An average of 46,400 daily guests were elated to visit the beloved annual family tradition, which first opened its doors in 1880, some 142 years ago.

Visitors once again had the opportunity to walk through competitive exhibits, learn about agriculture, buy unique products, shake, rattle & roll to their favorite music, enjoy thrilling rides, win a stuffed animal or two, and of course, savor the yummy flavors of Fair food.

“We’re thrilled with the response we’ve received,” Katie Mueller, Chief Operating Officer at the Del Mar Fairgrounds states. “The smiles on the faces of fairgoers says it all. Guests are telling us how excited they are to have the Fair back, as an annual trip to the Fair is a favorite summertime family tradition that they’ve truly missed these past few years.”

The Hall of Heroes theme exhibit featured a series of interactive challenges where guests could discover their super powers, and engage with movie-quality props like the Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, Superman, Batman and even an authentic 1966 Batmobile.

But remember, not everybody needs a cape to be a hero. Beyond the superpowers of the larger-than-life characters we’ve grown up with in comic books and the silver screen, the Fair went on a mission to find local, real-life heroes–ordinary people who take extraordinary measures to make the world a better place. These community heroes are our neighbors right here in Southern California who have overcome monumental obstacles, shown great courage, and protect, nurture and bring joy to people around them. The stories of 33 such community heroes were featured in the Hall of Heroes theme exhibit, as well as in a video tribute shown nightly in the Paddock.

Already looking forward to next summer? The 2023 San Diego County Fair dates, theme and logo will be unveiled at the 22^nd District Agriculture Association board of directors meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 1:30pm.

2022 STATS:

 

Food Facts

Number of food concessions: 110

Total ice cream cones: 27,734

Chicken Charlie’s sold 10,000 frog legs and 6,000 giant baby bottles filled with Kool-Aid

Mom’s Bakeshoppe sold 152,924 chocolate-chip cookies

 

Rides & Games Facts

Number of rides: 76

Number of games: 60

Total number of rides: 2,196,720

Slingshot rides: 3,608

 

Top Five Rides

• Skyride
• Big Wheel
• Crazy Mouse
• G Force
• RaveWave

 

Community Outreach

7,475 stuffed animals were collected through the Care N’ Share Toy Drive and will be distributed to children in need.

510 Boy and Girl Scouts participated in flag raising ceremonies.

10 public safety departments (police, fire) participated in the Hall of Heroes theme exhibit

33 community heroes were represented in the Hall of Heroes theme exhibit

 

Agriculture & Education

Number of competitive exhibits ribbons awarded: 12,792

Number of Plant *Grow*Eat participants: 3,315

 

Livestock Auction

Number of animals: 203

Total amount raised: $423,608 (*add-ons are still being accepted)

Averages $2070.23 per head, a 49% increase from 2019

 

Other Facts

Number of retail vendors: 315

Number of performers: 17,619 including all stages, walk arounds and shows

Number of Grandstand concert tickets: 67,421

Two sold-out shows: Sam Hunt: 7,304 tickets; Gabriel Iglesias: 7,602 tickets

Number of t-shirts handed out by Chevy: 21,000

Number of Del Mar Fairgrounds employees: 73 permanent; 951 seasonal

 

2022 San Diego County Fair Community Heroes:

• Alan Scheuler, San Diego Civic Dance Arts
• Alex Montoya, motivational speaker
• Amanda Schoppmeyer, couponing philanthropist
• Bonnie Baranoff, La Mesa community leader
• Bree Rowand, Kylie Rowand Foundation
• Cadence Mitchell, heart disease survivor and volunteer
• Charles “Chaka” Webb, Stoke For Life Foundation
• Christina (Tina) Calabrese, school principal
• Derrick Miller, firefighter and pastor
• Dylan Rodrigues, lemonade stand entrepreneur
• Ernest Rady, health-care philanthropist
• Jessica Meir, astronaut
• Jim Watkins, community leader
• Jonathan Wiese, San Diego Police Officer
• Kathy Kinane, motivator through running
• Kelly and Andy Smíšek, Frosted Faces Foundation
• Lesia Stockall Cartelli, founder of Angel Faces
• Leslie Reynolds, restorer of Chollas Creek
• Michelle Parada co-founder, All Tribes American Indian Charter School
• Michael “Big Mike” Phillips, Rob Benzon Foundation
• Mike McElhiney, volunteer woodworker
• Mim Michelove, farm-to-school food program
• Pat Anderson, knitter of breast cancer prostheses
• Patricia Justice, longtime police volunteer
• Rhina Paredes-Gleeson, founder, Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation
• Ricochet, surf therapy dog
• Roderick Sewell Jackson, Ironman challenged athlete
• Steph Johnson, Founder, Voices Of Our City Choir
• Ryan Yanni, super school volunteer
• Susie Murphy, bike park activist
• Tom Lightner, Turn Around For Vets
• Tommy Sablan, media mentor
• Yana & Vlad Khorenko, I Care Ministry