The annual mix of down-home agricultural exhibits, belly-busting food, eye-catching entertainment and powerhouse musical lineups has returned to the Del Mar Fairgrounds for a month-long engagement with the opening of the 2013 San Diego County Fair. The fair runs through July 4. Touting a theme of “Game On!,” this year’s fair is designed to spotlight classic and nostalgic games and show how these have evolved over the years — from board games and pinball to television, videos and computers — and to demonstrate how technology has enhanced the gaming culture beyond dreams. Of course, the fair has plenty of food and drink vendors spread across the fairway and the infield track area. And each year, Fair officials spice things up with some very unusual food offerings that, well, can test one’s willingness to break the normal gastronomical barriers. This year, among other items, vendors will be selling Krispy Kreme sloppy Joes; deep-fried, bacon-wrapped pickles; chipotle BBQ beef chips;
bacon beer;
wild boar kabobs; and waffle dogs. Also new this year is a “Star Trek Exhibition,” an interactive, museum-style experience involving one of the largest collections of authentic Star Trek artifacts and information ever put on public display, according to Fair officials. For those who can’t get enough of bacon, foodies will be in hog heaven come Sunday, June 16 during the “Big Bite Bacon Fest,” presented by Farmer John. Fair officials said the festival is a fun-filled, walk-around tasting event featuring creative bacon dishes from the best chefs and competitive cooks in the county. Each bacon booth will prepare and serve small plates of savory bacon delights ranging from appetizers to desserts and everything in between. Adult fairgoers can quench their thirst with refreshing bacon-based and bacon-inspired cocktails and brews. Running throughout the course of the Fair this year will also be a new addition called “The Courage to Remember,” a traveling Holocaust exhibit produced by the Museum of Tolerance, the educational arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. The exhibit features 200 exclusive photographs that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world, offering unique insight into the Holocaust. The Fair is again boasting a huge slate of musical entertainment at various venues across the fairgrounds, featuring nationally known entertainers belting out cool tunes ranging from classic rock to country, Latin flavor to modern-day draws. Most entertainment is free with Fair admission. For a complete roundup of artists, venues, dates, times and prices, visit www.sdfair.com/index.-php?fuse-action=concerts.home. Many of the familiar sights and sounds will greet fairgoers, including the popular AgriFair, the livestock barn and exhibits of animals large and small, put on by members of the 4-H Club who are always available to answer questions. The popular “Turkey Stampede” show, featuring hilarious races pitting turkey against turkey for the prize at the finish line, also returns. Car shows, daily watermelon seed-spitting and corn-husking contests, a motorcycle ride and competition, a Fire Expo (including a demolition derby with firefighters at the wheel) and plenty more awaits fairgoers, with something on tap for all generations. For those who are a little more adventurous, there are plenty of rides and games to be discovered in the Fun Zone and thrill rides for those who want to push the adrenaline boundaries even further. Tickets are $14 for adults and $8 for those 62 and older or between the ages of 6 to 12 (free on Tuesdays). Children 5 and under are admitted free. Albertson’s will host $4 Fair Day on Tuesday, June 18. The 2013 San Diego County Fair is open every day except Mondays (with the exception being Monday, July 1). The fairgrounds are located at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. in Del Mar. For more information, call (858) 755-1161, or visit www.sdfair.com. HOT NIGHTS, COOL SOUNDS This year’s San Diego County Fair will boast an impressive lineup of artists, from seasoned veterans to more modern-day artists. Here are some of the headliners: Toyota Summer Concert Series • Emblem 3 — June 13 • Switchfoot — June 14 • Steve Miller Band — June 15 • La Arrolladora Banda El Limon — June 16 • Caifanes — June 18 • Third Day — June 19 • Martina McBride — June 20 • Colbie Caillat — June 21 • Grupo Intocable — June 23 • Bad Company — June 25 • Bridgit Mendler — June 26 • Train — June 27 • Kendrick Lamar — June 28 • Gospel Festival — June 29 • Julion Alvarez — June 30 • “Weird Al” Yankovic — July 1 • Adam Lambert — July 2 • Joan Jett and The Blackhearts — July 3 • Happy Together Tour 2013 — (The Turtles, Chuck Negron formerly of Three Dog Night, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere & The Raiders, Gary Lewis & The Playboys) The Navy Band Southwest also performs, followed by fireworks — July 4 Ford Dealers Paddock Series • John Wait of The Babies — June 13 • Berlin, featuring Terri Nunn on lead vocals — June 18 • Beatles vs. Stones: (tribute) — June 19 • Red — June 20 • Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band — June 25 • Little Texas — June 26 • Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles — June 27 • Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular (tribute) — July 2 • Great White — July 3 • The Motels — July 4 Other concert series worth checking out include those of the Coors Light Rock On Series, Del Mar Arena Shows, Solid Gold Series and Comedy Night at the Fair. For a complete roundup of entertainment with dates, times and prices, visit www.sdfair.com.

The valedictorian and two salutatorians — all girls — of Point Loma High’s class of 2013 have something else in common. None has ever received anything other than an “A” in their high school careers. So how did they end up with different grade-point averages? “I took one more AP (advanced placement) class than they did,” said valedictorian Tessa Adler, “giving me a GPA of 4.90.” Salutatorians Vicki Gonzalez and Diane La were right behind, both recording GPAs of 4.82. Their years of homework, studying and perseverance has paid off, with Adler heading to Yale University, La to the University of California, Los Angeles and Gonzalez to Stanford University. They were the only members of the graduating class adorned in white robes at the school’s 88th commencement ceremony earlier this week. All three of the honorees described a high school life that was a blend of studying, mixed with social activities and recreation. “It’s all about time management,” said Adler, who said she has danced all her life, played field hockey at Point Loma High and has been a member of the Mothers and Daughters Club Assisting Philanthropies. La, who has spent many hours doing hospital volunteer work, and Gonzalez, who has participated in school surf, soccer and track and field teams, said they also enjoyed diversified lives. Adler cited AP chemistry teacher Lisa Graham as highly influential on her future plans.  “She always encouraged me and told me, ‘Chemistry may be your calling,’ which stuck with me,” Adler said. “Now I want to go into something (involving) chemistry.” La said AP biology teacher Sylvia Maas was her motivational force. “It was a really hard class and I worked at it, doing all the reading assignments,” she said. Gonzalez, in turn, singled out math teacher Ian Law, saying, “I enjoyed his class so much and like his work ethic.”  At Yale, Adler plans to major in chemical engineering and global issues. She said she would like to learn German and Swahili before joining the United Nations agency to help developing countries. La seems no less ambitious. “I’m planning to major in chemistry or the sciences because I really like helping people,” said La. “My volunteer work in the hospital has made me want to work in the medical field, developing medicines and cures.”  

The 10th annual summer in-the-water boat show is back at the Sheraton Harbor Island and Spanish Landing Park on June 20–23 with a new name, broadened focus, more vendors and an earlier June date chosen to maximize the boating season’s potential. Show hours are noon to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 20 and Friday, June 21; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 22; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 23. Tickets are $12 for adults. Children 12 and under and active military, police and fire personnel are admitted free with identification. The event’s updated name reflects the boat show’s new naming sponsor, as well as the show’s greater participation from international vendors and larger yachts. “We have lots of boats and products coming from around the world,” said show manager Dave Geoffroy, who is also vice president of sponsoring organization National Marine Manufacturing Association. “We’ve made an effort to bring in larger boats, including eight or nine superyachts in the 80- to 100-foot-plus range.” This will be San Diegans’ first opportunity to experience a taste of the superyacht lifestyle since the last Yachtfest was held three years ago. The show will be about 30 percent larger this year, reflecting an improving economy and the public’s renewed embrace of boating, Geoffroy said. Expect to see more than 150 vessels, both new and brokerage boats, ranging from personal watercraft, dinghies and inflatables to mid-size sail and powerboats up through luxury superyachts. Barrett Canfield, president of South Coast Yachts, will exhibit the firm’s largest-ever display of Bénéteau yachts, both sail and power. “It’s always been a good show for us. We’ve always been able to debut new models. This year, we’ll be introducing four new sailboats,” plus a current model powerboat, Canfield said. “Bénéteau powerboats are the fastest-growing brand. They’ve always been built, but were little-known on the West Coast. We have only one available to show.” Canfield recommends the show because of “the great variety of styles of boats and great deals.” Best of all, he said, banks are again lending at the lowest rates he’s ever seen. More than 50 vendors will offer an array of boating accessories like electronics, canvas, anchors and other marine gear, as well as boating services that will exhibit under tents at Spanish Landing Park. Participants can choose from over 100 educational interactive seminars and skill-building clinics — both on the water and on land — focusing on both sail and power boating subjects, including boat-handling and seamanship, docking and maintenance and repair. The show’s website lists both free seminars and Discover Boating’s on-the-water “At the Helm” clinics, for which advance registration is recommended and extra charges apply. Fees for each Discover Boating clinic include same-day boat show admission. The show also features a “Be a Diver” pool, where guests equipped with a swimsuit can get an introductory diving lesson and find opportunities to try out stand-up paddling, kayaking and other paddling sports. Last year’s attendance was up about 64 percent over the previous year to more than 5,000 guests, as the boating market began to show marked signs of improvement. Greater interest and sales at San Diego-area boat brokerages indicate continued revived expenditures on water-based pursuits. The family-friendly boat show offers food for sale, including tacos and drinks at the Bay Club Restaurant, as well as a visiting gourmet food truck. Paid parking is available at the Port District lot adjacent to the hotel. The show is located at the Sheraton 1380 Harbor Island Drive. For exhibitor, seminar and advance ticket-purchase information, visit www.sandiegointernationalboatshow.com.