1.6M Attend 2016 San Diego County Fair

One day after the fair closed, we’re getting a look at how many people attended and how much food was prepared and consumed.

The 2016 San Diego County Fair ran 26 days with fairgoers eating more than 20,000 hot dogs and taking more than 1,600 pictures with costumed characters, organizers said.

One day after the fair closed, we’re getting a look at how many people attended and how much food was prepared and consumed.

The number of people who passed through the entrance between June 3 and July 4 (not counting the six days the fair was closed) was 1,609,481 guests, according to Linda Zweig, the fair spokesperson. Previously, the highest attendance was reached in 2012, with 1,517,508 million people.

The busiest day was Sunday July 3 with 96,501 in attendance. She said that attendance ranks within the top four dates in the fair's history.

Other interesting numbers:

  • 1,007 – Aerial shells used in the Fourth of July Fireworks Show
  • 1,129 - Pieces of pie eaten at the Pie Eating Contest
  • 14,000 - School children who brought in Plant *Grow* Eat radishes and other vegetables
  • 239 - Pieces of bubble gum chewed in the Bubble Gum Blowing Contest
  • 58 - Sets of keys found
  • 1,500 – Gallons of ketchup used by midway vendor Tasti Chips
  • 50,000 – Ears of corn grilled by midway vendor Corn Star

Also, those who enjoyed watching the Bungee Plunge may be interested to know that an estimated 2,600 enjoyed the ride. The number of people who got cold feet? About 60, Zewig.

The youngest jumper this year was 7, she said.

This year’s theme was “Mad About the Fair”, a take on Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Contact Us