The Fair’s Back! : Del Mar Livestock and Carnival Show Called Bigger and Better Than Ever

A fancy new ride, international cuisine, big-name concert performers, Chinese art exhibits, even an elephant have been added to this year’s Del Mar Fair, which opens today, said organizers of the popular summer event.

But Harold Hilliker, 45, a farmer who first participated in this fair more than 30 years ago as a teen-ager carrying rabbits, said such new attractions have altered, but not adulterated, the fair’s original purpose--to showcase livestock.

“In the old days the fair was for farmers like me, to gather here, enter our livestock and compete,” said Hilliker, who is now the fair’s livestock superintendent.

“Nowadays we still compete, but we work as teachers too. A lot of people come here to see the concerts and have fun on the rides. But many of them have never seen farm animals, and that curiosity brings them over to us,” he said.

Chance to Milk Cows

“Lots of kids think milk comes from the local 7-Eleven. Here they’ll get a chance to actually milk a cow. Where else in San Diego can you get to do that?

“A couple years back, I saw a father showing his young boy the animals at the fair,” Hilliker said. “The father was pointing to a longhorn steer and telling his kid that it was a deer.”

This year, Hilliker should have plenty of “students” to teach at the fair, which runs until July 5, said special projects coordinator Judy Sala.

“Last year we had more than 840,000 people come to the fair,” she said. “Based on attendance alone, that makes us the second largest fair in the state and the 18th in the nation. And there’s no reason to think we won’t be getting just as many people this year.”

According to Sala, there should be something for everyone. Whether it’s something old or something new, all the exhibits, shows and rides will hold true to the fair’s theme, Sala said: “It’s all for you!”

Upon entering the “Fun Zone,” visitors will have a choice of more than 140 rides--including the feature attraction: Wild River.

“It’s the only portable flume ride in North America,” said Wild River’s owner, Steve VanderVorst. Passengers who board the log-shaped boats will be raced through waterways that ends with a 50-foot plunge into a pool of water.

Not Worried by Rivals

VanderVorst said he’s not worried about the new ride’s traditional and neighboring competitors: the Grand Wheel (a Ferris wheel) and the Haunted Mansion.

“Our ride is for people 6 through 60. I’m sure we’ll be able to draw lots of people. Besides, fun is my business,” VanderVorst said.

For a more “lively” ride, both children and adults can climb upon Cyd or Tai--Indian elephants that are making their debut at the fair, said owner Kari Johnson.

This year’s visitors will also get an opportunity to see and purchase art from the Far East.

“In San Diego there’s no place where you can really appreciate Oriental arts and crafts,” said Stephen Chin, who works for his father’s business, Chinese Arts and Crafts Inc.

“That’s why I decided to go back to China and bring back these items.” After spending more than a year working with cultural officials in China, Chin has returned with a collection including domestic decorations over 100 years old, cloisonne ware--brass-core vases decorated with porcelain--rugs and ivory figurines.

Although the fair officially opens today, a special “Get Smart Preview Night” was held Wednesday evening.

Visitors to the fair beginning today can expect the event’s only blemish--traffic snarls.

Traffic Snarls Expected

“Most of our visitors come up from the south, and from that direction there’s only two ways that you can get here, Interstate 5 or 805,” Sala said. “And unfortunately they merge by the fairgrounds, which causes a considerable back-up. There’s really not much we can do about that.

“But we have increased parking spaces up to 12,000, and we’re recommending people to car pool.”

Organizers have developed one alternative they’re hoping will ease bumper-to-bumper congestion. Fairgoers can park free at Torrey Pines High School, then board special shuttle buses running every 20 minutes to the front gates, Sala said.

“Try to come to the fair’s first few days or during the weekdays and it should be less crowded,” Sala said. “But you can’t expect to beat the crowds completely. It’s a popular place to be.”

The fairground gates open at 9 a.m., with exhibits open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The carnival area with its rides opens at 10 a.m. and continues until 12:30 a.m. each day.