As spring approaches, we can't help but look ahead to another glorious SoCal summer. San Diego may be known for its sunshine and beaches, but there's another summer tradition that's every bit as crucial: The concert series at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
The annual San Diego County Fair will be held at the fairgrounds from June 8 to July 4 this year, with different musical acts taking the stage almost every night. The lineup for the Toyota Summer Series on the Heineken Grandstand Stage was announced Tuesday, and the wide variety of performers should please music fans of all breeds.
Notable headliners include yacht-rocker Kenny Loggins on June 14, San Diego's own Switchfoot on June 15, Hebrew reggae-rapper Matisyahu on July 3, and the king of pop parody himself, "Weird Al" Yankovic, goofing up your 4th of July. Tickets for many of the performances are free with park admission, though the June 17 Joan Sebastian and June 23 Jeff Dunham shows will cost you a little extra.
June 9: The 8th Annual Gospel Festival featuring Donnie McClurkin
June 10: Larry Hernández
June 12: Demi Lovato
June 13: Cody Simpson
SoundDiego
Music. Community. Culture.
June 14: Kenny Loggins
June 15: Switchfoot
June 17: Joan Sebastian
June 20: Hot Chelle Rae
June 23: Jeff Dunham
June 24: La Arrrolladora Banda El Limón
June 28: Creedence Clearwater Revisited
June 29: KC & The Sunshine Band
July 1: Julión Alvarez
July 3: Matisyahu
July 4: "Weird Al" Yankovic
Local rockers Switchfoot are no strangers to the San Diego County Fair -- they played the concert series just last year. Other previous performers include Lenny Kravitz, the Beach Boys, Randy Travis, and the Doobie Brothers.
Tickets for the 2012 San Diego County Fair shows go on sale Saturday, March 17, at the Fairgrounds and through Ticketmaster.
Chris Maroulakos is a writer and managing editor for the San Diego music blog Owl and Bear.
