June 18, 2003, The San Diego County Fair, Del Mar, CA. The San Diego County Fair has to be one of the best and biggest county fairs in the country. It has something for everyone! 4H club exhibits, stinky animals, craft displays, art shows, live music, beer gardens, garden gardens, lots of "healthy" food stands, rides, a big midway, pig races, the Budweiser Wagon and Clydesdales (no Bud beer though), kiddy rides, horse shows, you name it. Lorri and I took off work and spent a delightful day exploring the "Commotion by the Ocean" (this year's theme) last Wednesday.

There had to be at least ten different companies selling spas. All different sizes, shapes and budgets. This was my favorite - "half off!"

One of my favorite areas is the home garden displays. You can see what your back yard could look like if you cared to invest your life savings in landscaping and then hire a pro to maintain it.

Or perhaps a life size elephant sculpture called "Dumbo and Dumboerer"

FOOD:

Here is Lorri sampling some of the Fair fare.

This place sells finger steaks. I wonder where they get the fingers. Are they cow fingers or what kind of fingers exactly.

Sponge Bob Cinnamon Roll

Here is my favorite: Farmer JACK'S Meatloaf. Doesn't it just make your mouth water?

ANIMALS:

Although not the best smelling exhibit, the cow exhibit was certainly peaceful. Cows don't seem to do much. I suppose these cows are "happy" California cows. I looked about for some ornery Wisconsin malcontented cows but didn't spot any.

As I mentioned, the Budweiser Clydesdales were there. This one was headed out for some liquid refreshment. They don't sell Bud at the fair and these guys just won't drink Coors. I'm still trying to figure out why they were there. It should be noted the Clydesdales smell better than cows, but then most things do.

Here I am enjoying a Coors (Hey, I'll drink what's available.) next to the Bud wagon.

Here is Lorri petting the Bud Dalmatian. This guy had his eyes fixed on that horse in the photo above. You could almost hear him saying "you better bring back a six-pack for me, Clyde, or I'll bite your ankles in the next parade!"

Next were the sheep which do not smell better than cows. This one got his face a little too close the campfire.

This sheep won "best costume" at the annual animal masquerade ball held each year to raise money for those poor animals who go naked all the time.

Here are a couple of sheep about to be sheered. I don't thing sheep like to be sheered. They kept bleating. In fact none of the sheep seemed very happy. All they do is bleat. I wonder if they were Wisconsin sheep.

While looking for a place to sit and relax for a bit, we ended up in the horse arena where we were lucky enough to witness the exciting horse and buggy competition. All four of us in the arena were mesmerized and awestruck by the grace, power and precision of these man, beast and wheel combos. There were actually two competitors, both of which looked exactly the same except for the numbers on their backs. We couldn't tear ourselves away until the winner was announced. I'm thinking next year, I might buy me a horse and buggy and enter the fray. The worst I could do would be third place! On second thought, riding directly behind a horse's you-know-what doesn't seem very appealing.

Immediately after the exciting buggy boys was a group of young ladies and girls riding some nasty looking ponies. Here is one such getting ready to enter the ring.

TRUCKS (except for the tractor):

On the left, for you city folk, is a John Deere green tractor. This is the vehicle of choice for farmer-types for pulling hay wagons and plowing the land and driving slowly along country roads on the way to the corner store for a six-pack. On the right is a big red truck which I think uses the same tires as the John Deere tractor.

BEER STOP:

Did I mention beer gardens? In what is the paddock area during race season there is a beer garden where you can buy a pint of "specialty" beer for only $7! So we sat and rested our weary feet and took advantage of such a great deal and watched the people for a while. People watching is one of the main activities at county fairs.

I spent a half hour watching this dad try to get his kid to stand still long enough to get a good photo. Standing still is not something kids do well at fairs.

Here I am on my way back from a food scouting mission. It turned out the fish and chips place was too far away from the beer place.

Here are two little girls in blue getting ready to make a wish in the fountain.

THE MIDWAY:

The midway and the rides are where the action is. That's why Lorri and I pretty much avoid going there.

It was a great day at the fair. The sun never came out but it didn't rain either. We ate roasted corn, stuffed sweet potatoes, fish and chips, shredded beef tacos, sticky buns and hot fried mini-donuts. We walked around a lot and finally got our feet massaged on one of those chair things that shake your very soles. We got a free tee shirt and bought an American Flag and a car floor organizer thing for the van.