Fair offers fun with animals, livestock auction

DEL MAR — Animals are always one of the favorite attractions at the San Diego County Fair.
AgriFair in the Wyland Center will house most of the fun, interactive experiences where visitors can encounter animals at the fair, including the petting farm experience, a sheep and goat pasture, the pig pen and the cattle pasture. Pet organizations will have their own special display days, and visitors will also find exhibitions of poultry, rabbits and pigeons.
At the Camel Dairy in the Sparkletts Water Infield, fairgoers can watch a camel being milked and can learn more about these large and gentle giants. The Camel Dairy (as seen on the television show “Dirty Jobs,”) turns into “Camp Camel-Lot” when the Camel Milk Challenge takes place June 16 to June 30. Gil and Nancy Riegler, who run the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, will live in a tent and survive on camel milk, dates and water for two weeks.
One of the fair’s longtime favorite events is the Junior Livestock auction, where San Diego County youth auction the animals they have raised during the past year. More than 400 members of 4-H, Future Farmers of America and Grange participate in this annual event, set for July 3.
Another interesting animal program is the World of Horses, located in the Sparkletts Water Infield, featuring 20 different breeds of horses. Free behind-the-scenes tours are offered daily through July 2; closed July 3-5.
The Swifty Swine Racing Pigs bring home the bacon several times day in the Durante Area.
Find out more about the animals of the 2010 San Diego County Fair at www.sdfair.com/fair, in the Attractions section.
The theme for the 2010 San Diego County Fair is “Taste the Fun,” which highlights local agriculture, producers, culinary arts and all things related to food. The fair will run for 22 days opening June 11 and closing on July 5. The fair will be closed the first three Mondays, June 14, June 21 and June 28.