One-Day Contests a Prized Fair Treat

Do you have a certain flair with Spam? (Not many people do, you know.) Do people you’re not even related to rave about your double-crust apple pie in a way that makes you think maybe you should quit your day job and open your own pie emporium?

While there are many things to see, eat, buy and absorb through the pores at the Del Mar Fair, there also are ways for fair-goers to participate, to get involved up to their elbows if they want.

A variety of competitions, called One-Day Contests, will be held during the fair’s run, and it is a way for adults and children alike to show off everything from their culinary creativity to their vast collection of purloined vacation paraphernalia.

Besides the thrill of competition, One-Day Contests give the contestants free fair admission at a designated time before judging begins, and the chance to be awarded a first-, second- or third-place ribbon.

For more specific information and rules, those interested should call the fairgrounds at 755-1161 and ask for the entry office.

Here is a guide to some of the One-Day Contests:

JUNE 16

Children ages 5 to 17 may bring their pencil collection, contained in a pencil or other type of box no larger than 6 inches by 8 inches, to the Hobby Show tent in the Infield no later than 3 p.m. Judging starts at that time.

JUNE 17

Adults may enter their collections from a trip or vacation, such as matchbooks, soaps and postcards. The collection must be contained in a box no larger than 12 feet by 14 feet and no higher than 4 inches. Judging will take place in the Hobby Show tent in the Infield at 3 p.m.

Adults can prepare their best fruit empanadas or taco salad in this Comidas Mexicanas contest. Your homemade dish will admit you to the fairgrounds between 10 and 11 a.m., and judging begins at 11 a.m. on the Paddock Stage.

JUNE 18:

Submit your appetizer or salad, incorporating at least one 12 ounce can of regular Hormel Spam, Less Salt Spam or Spam Lite to the Paddock Stagem, where judging will begin at 11 a.m. Contestants must be at least 18 years old to enter the Hormel Spam Contest. Contestants will be admitted to the fairgrounds between 10-11 a.m.

JUNE 19

Adults may enter a homemade single- or double-crust apple pie by 11 a.m. at the Paddock Stage. Disposable pie plates are requested.

JUNE 21

Contestants 21 or older may submit their homemade wine and liqueurs between 10 and 11:30 a.m. at the Paddock Stage.

JUNE 22

Bring an appetizer or salad made with Chicken of the Sea brand tuna between 10-11 a.m. at the Paddock Stage. Judging begins at 11 a.m.

JUNE 24

It’s Del Mar Fair’s Cheesecake Night, and in keeping with this year’s fair theme--”Horsing Around: A 24-Carrot-Love-A-Fair”--contestants are required to bring a baked carrot cheesecake or a baked white chocolate cheesecake between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. to the Home Arts Stage. Judging begins at 7:30 p.m.

JUNE 28

Contestants 21 or older may participate in this home brewed beer contest. Bring your best 12 ounces of beer between 10 a.m. and noon to the Paddock Stage for judging.

JULY 1

Plan a lunch fit for a construction worker. Contestants must preregister for this contest no later than June 28. A free admission pass will be held at “will call” in your name on July 1 only. Submit your lunch in a lunch bucket or pail, or a cooler no larger than a six-pack size, to the Home Arts Stage. Judging begins at 11 a.m.

JULY 2

All ages can enter Grandma’s Cookie Contest. Submit six chocolate chip cookies (any combination) or six oatmeal cookies (any combination) on a disposable plate between 10 and 11 a.m. to the Home Arts Stage. Judging begins at 11 a.m.

JULY 4

The theme contest, “Horsing Around: A 24-Carrot-Love-A-Fair,” requires contestants to bring a home-baked carrot cake between 10 and 11 a.m. to the Home Arts Stage. Judging begins at 11 a.m.