Exhibits Bring It All Together at the Fair

Educational exhibits are the lifeblood of the fair, and more than 66,000 entries--from flowers to wood designs--have been entered for competition in this year’s program. Exhibits are displayed from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Here is some of what you can find:

ART

Oils, prints, watercolors, acrylics, drawings, cartoons, Chinese-brush, sculpture, ceramics and glass art, among other media will be displayed in the east end of the Grandstand, near the paddock. Local artists will demonstrate a variety of techniques.

FLOWER AND GARDEN

More than 100,000 square feet of plants, flowers and trees from around the world make up this exhibit. Landscape displays will depict “Horsing Around in a European Garden,” a slight twist on the fair’s theme this year. A miniature Swiss Alps, floral designs, a carrot competition, as well as plant and flower sales, daily demonstrations on flower arranging, growing bonsai trees and landscape and gardening tips will be featured. This exhibit is located just inside the O’Brien Gate.

GEMS AND MINERALS

Minerals, jewelry, rough and faceted stones, fossils and petrified wood, many of which are made, collected or mined locally, will be displayed in the Gems and Minerals Building next to the Avenue of the Palms, the main thoroughfare.

HOBBY SHOW

This exhibit is a pack rat’s nirvana or a neat freak’s nightmare, depending on how you look at it. Gum wrapper chains, bottles, stuffed animals and sports memorabilia are some of the colossal collections to be found in the infield. Hobby demonstrations, such as model building and anglers’ fly tying also will be conducted daily.

HOME ARTS

The county’s best cooks, bakers, seamstresses, weavers, quilters, basket makers and handcrafters are given their due in this exhibit. Clothing and textiles will be displayed in the new Mission Tower Building; food entries will be displayed in a tent near Pipsqueak Plaza.

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

More than 1,500 San Diego County students will display their auto engines, radios, jewelry, leather crafts, plastic processes, among other items. Demonstrations of electronics, woodworking and computer-aided drafting will be held daily in the east end of the grandstand near the paddock.

LIVESTOCK

Beef and dairy cattle, swine, sheep, goats, llamas, draft and miniature horses and a petting zoo will be housed in the livestock barns inside the O’Brien and Durante Gates. Sheep dog demonstrations and activities related to farming also will be held daily.

BIRDS AND SMALL ANIMALS

The following farmyard birds and animals will be exhibited in the poultry barn: poultry from June 16-21; pigeons from June 22-28; rabbits from June 29-July 5; cavies (guinea pigs) from June 16-21; fancy rats, mice and hamsters from June 22-28.

NUMISMATICS

Coins, paper money and military medals will be displayed in the Gems and Minerals Building near the Avenue of the Palms.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Professional and amateur photographers from around the world compete in this show, which is divided into black and white and color print categories. Separate competitions will be held for photojournalism and video production. These exhibits are in a new location this year in the infield.

VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS

A presentation of the best of San Diego County high school and college students’ photography, school newspapers, yearbooks, drafting and graphics, will be held in the infield.