For many locals, summer's first emerging rays of sunshine signal the beginning of yet another season filled with fried Twinkies and nostalgic carousel rides. The annual San Diego Country Fair returns better than ever (as always) at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Friday, June 12, running until July 5, 2009.

From fair food to discounts and the best concerts, discover what’s new and notable at 2009 San Diego County Fair.

New Deep-Fried Fair Delicacies

The San Diego County Fair is the essence of hot summer days and late summer nights, with its most famous feat being its impressive array of peculiar snacks, which range from frog legs to fried candy bars. San Diego fair food vendors bring something new and a little bit wackier each year to keep San Diego natives on their toes.

This year, Fair food experts have concocted new treats including chocolate-covered bacon strips for those who cannot decide between salty and sweet; and the Zucchini Weeni, a hot dog on a stick, covered in a zucchini, then of course, dipped in batter and deep fried to crunchy goodness. Other fun snacking foods are the deep-fried bread pudding nuggets, Big T Texas Tenderloin sandwiches, deep-fried green beans, oatmeal-cookie chicken sandwiches, and grilled asparagus for those less keen on the Fair's deep-fried food reputation.

Fair Admission Value Deals

June 16 is $2 Tuesday, with all admission to the Fair for just $2.00, which is up to an $11.00 savings. These money-saving tickets can only be purchased at Albertsons, and will not be sold anywhere at the Fairgrounds. “Tuesday Taste of the Fair” is yet another Tuesday bonus where many of the food vendors will have a “taster portion” of their specialties for just $2. Kids 12 and under get free admission every Tuesday. For frequent Fair visitors, be sure to snag the “Best Pass Ever” by midnight of June 11 to get 22 days of Fair admission for only $22.00.

Do your research in Ultimate Guide to Best San Diego Fair Food

Showcase San Diego Fair Events

Don't miss Breakfast in the Gardens at 9:00am on Opening Day (Friday, June 12) to be the first to see the Fair's Flower and Garden Show. A scrumptious breakfast buffet will be provided along with fair admission all for just $30.00. Opening Ceremony will commence at 10:30am with Fair performers, a word from the Fair Board's presidents, and the ceremonial raising of the flag.

Man's best friend will be the star of the Fair's Opening Day. The Purina Incredible Dog Challenge features the top canine athletes in the country, competing in Jack Russell hurdle racing, freestyle flying disc, among a number of other agility competitions. Stick around for the Purina Pet Comedy Challenge at 7:00pm to catch comedians perform sets inspired by our furry friends. 

San Diego Firefighters will make their debut appearance at the Chevrolet Del Mar Arena at the Fairground's new Viejoas Fire Expo and Firefighter Combat Challenge on Saturday, June 20. The expo is designed to increase emergency service awareness with live firefighting demonstrations, and the Combat Challenge will feature the importance of physical fitness in the firefighting profession. Competitors are required to wear full firefighting gear while performing real-life firefighting tasks in various challenges. The San Diego Sockers will also make an appearance at the Chevy Del Mar Arena on Sunday, June 14 with a clinic followed by a game against one of Mexico's top competitors, La Cabaña.

San Diego Fair Concerts

The Heroes of Woodstock opens the Summer Concert Series on the Heineken Grandstand Stage in honor of the cultural-altering music festival's 40th anniversary. Woodstock veterans including Jefferson Starship, Canned Heat, Melanie, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Tom Constanten of the Grateful Dead will be performing at this generation’s reunion. This concert is free with fair admission. Get info on these San Diego Fair concerts and more on the DiscoverSD Event Calendar.

The Chevrolet Paddock Concert Series (9:00pm Tuesday-Thursday) is also free with fair admission:

Tuesday, June 16 - Eve 6
Wednesday, June 17 - Foghat
Thursday, June 18 - Super Diamond (Neil Diamond Tribute)
Tuesday, June 23 - Original "P" Parliament Funkadelic
Wednesday, June 24 - Patty Smyth and Scandal
Thursday, June 25 - Poco
Tuesday, June 30 - Marshall Tucker Band
Wednesday, July 1 - Iron Butterfly
Thursday, July 2 - Pure Prairie League

Missed these legends in concert? Check out their tribute bands at the Coors Light Rock-On Stage:
Friday, June 12 - Led Zepagain (Tribute to Led Zeppelin)
Saturday, June 13 - Don’t Stop Believin’ (Tribute to Journey)
Wednesday, June 17 - Iron Maidens (Tribute to Iron Maiden)
Thursday, June 18 - Cash’d Out (Johnny Cash Tribute)
Saturday, June 20 - Blasphemous Rumours (Dépêche Mode Tribute)
Friday, June 26 - Politik (Tribute to Coldplay)
Saturday, June 27 - No Duh (Tribute to No Doubt)
Friday, July 3 - Stepping Feet (Dave Matthews Tribute)
Sunday, July 5 - Wild Child (The Doors Tribute)

Big-name stars will also be making an appearance at the Fairgrounds, including Melissa Etheridge, Bret Michels, American Idol stars David Cook and David Archuleta, Loretta Lynn, The B-52s, Switchfoot, KC and the Sunshine Band, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Smokey Robinson, and Kelly Clarkson. Visit sdfair.com for ticket info.

Do not miss these exciting summer events and take advantage of the Fair's great deals to get a bigger bang for every buck spent at this summertime favorite. The San Diego County Fair is closed June 15 and 22.