Go for the blue ribbon with these DEALS for the DEL MAR FAIR!!

Photo credit: Flickr/Timmy Farol

Now thru July 5th the San Diego County Fair is in town, with its mouth watering food concoctions, fun rides and heart pounding dance and music performances, it's San Diego’s unofficial start to the summer! 

This year, they’re amping up so many ways for you to save some bucks on admission and food. It's just NUTS!

So, go ahead and indulge on those extra ride tickets, the out of this world kitchen gadgets, sparkling earrings and necklaces, and more. You’ll have loads of spare money left over when you take advantage of these bargains on admission, rides, and food;

SAVE ON ADMISSION:

• Purchase a Value Pack for only $51.00 (a $93 value) This package includes 4 adult admissions,4 drink coupons, and 20 ride coupons (rides are usually 3-6 tickets). Can only be purchased via Ticketmaster, look for 2010 SDCF Value Pack.
•  Buy the Costco Value Pack for only $53.99 (a $115 value). Package includes: 4 adult admission tickets, 4 drink coupons valid with food purchase at participating vendors, 1 parking pass, and 50 ride tickets.
• Take a short survey about saving water:  Save nearly 50 percent on four adult admissions when you take a short survey from California’s Save our Water program. Afterwards, receive a voucher for 4 single-day admission tickets for $28 (regular price $52). Not valid on the weekends.
• Read for FREE child’s admission (a $7 value): Children 12 and younger who read 10 or more age-appropriate books, and have that verified by a teacher or librarian, get free admission any day of the Fair.
• Bring the kids on Tuesday: Children 12 and younger are admitted free on Tuesdays, June 22 and 29.
• Head to a San Diego County Toyota dealer: Go to your nearest San Diego County Toyota dealer for a two-for-one admission coupon! With the coupon, redeemable at the gate, you can purchase up to four tickets on a two-for-one basis. No purchase or test drive required, but you may want to once you see what’s on the showroom floor.
• Furlough Fridays: If you are a state employee, bring a friend, come to the Fair on Fridays and get in for free! Show your California employee ID or paycheck stub at Will Call and both of you can enjoy the Fair.

SAVE ON FOOD

• Come on Taste of the Fair Tuesday: Every Tuesday (June 22 and 29), you can buy $2.00 taste-sized portions of some of your favorite Fair foods, such as corn dogs, fudge, fish tacos and cinnamon rolls. Check at your favorite food booth to see what their offering is for Taste of the Fair Tuesday!
• Bring your lunch: Yes, it’s allowed! No alcohol, glass containers or metal knives of any kind. All beverages must be in sealed containers (but you can bring an empty container, such as a sippy cup, to use once you’re past Security). They’ll even hold your lunch for you in Guest Services, first floor of the Grandstand, until you’re ready to eat at one of the designated picnic areas.
• Kids Meal: Buy your child a Kids Meal at selected Meal Deal vendors. The $5.99 meal includes an entrée, side dish and drink, PLUS a child’s admission to each of the following venues with a paid adult admission, valid after July 5: Chula Vista Nature Center, Birch Aquarium, The New Children’s Museum or the USS Midway Museum.
• Fridays are PennySaver Value Days: The PennySaver coupon book, free with your Fair admission, is packed with over $500.00 in discounts, two-for-one values, and other savings from more than 60 Fair vendors.
• My Prize Pak: This  reusable shopping bag stuffed with coupons, prizes and a chance to win a trip for four to the Calgary Stampede in July. Get yours every Thursday and on Closing Day (July 5). Given at the gates each of these days while supplies last!

SAVE ON PARKING:

• Free parking: Park FREE every day at Horsepark, on the corner of Via de la Valle and El Camino Real, east of Interstate 5. The Fair’s free shuttle buses run from 9:00AM until midnight every day the Fair is open (1:00AM on Friday and Saturday), and drop you off in front of the O’Brien Gate. On weekends, they also have free park-and-shuttle lots at two additional off-site locations.
• Ride the train or take the bus: Amtrak and the Coaster stop at the Solana Beach station two miles from the Fair. North County Transit District (NCTD) shuttles run between the station and the Fair’s West Gate. From Escondido, take the NCTD express route with no stops between Escondido and the Fair.

SAVE ON RIDES:

• Purchase a Value Pack for only $51.00 (a $93 value): This package includes 4 adult admissions,4 drink coupons, and 20 ride coupons (rides are usually 3-6 tickets). Can only be purchased via Ticketmaster, look for 2010 SDCF Value Pack. 
•  Buy the Costco Value Pack for only $53.99 (a $115 value): Package includes: 4 adult admission tickets, 4 drink coupons valid with food purchase at participating vendors, 1 parking pass, and 50 ride tickets.
• Come on Pepsi Pay-One-Price Ride Day:Want to enjoy the rides all day long for one price? You can, each Wednesday and Thursday during the Fair. Buy online and take advantage of special online-only Pay-One-Price Days

 FREE ATTRACTIONS:

• Enjoy the exhibits: All the Fair exhibits are free with admission, including the this-year-only “Taste the Fun” Theme Exhibit; the flower and garden show; all the animals, gems, art, photo, home and hobby displays; woodworking; and much more.
• Enjoy the shows:  There’s entertainment all day and long into the evenings on eight stages, plus daily animal or motor sports shows in the Chevrolet Del Mar Arena. Nationally known entertainers are featured nightly on the Heineken Grandstand Stage. Most of the Grandstand shows are free with admission to the Fair, and all entertainment on other stages is free with admission.