A 5K through the empty fairgrounds, a huge beer festival, some mixed martial arts and lots and lots of live music mark this weekend at the San Diego County Fair. Here are the highlights:
Saturday, June 20
San Diego County Fair 5K
8 a.m. to 10 a.m., throughout the fairgrounds
This all-ages 5K gives participants the chance to run, skip and stroll their ways through the fairgrounds before the big daily crowds arrive. A ticket to the race ($49) includes a 5K shirt, two admission tickets to the fair (one for now, one for later), a free beer or beverage and a $10 discount to the San Diego International Beer Festival starting at 11 a.m. Kids ages 5 and under can participate in the fun for free. Space is limited and as of Wednesday afternoon, the race was 95 percent sold out, so hurry and grab your ticket.
San Diego International Beer Festival
Five Sessions (Friday through Sunday; times vary) Del Mar Arena
This massive beer fest goes down at the Del Mar Arena inside the fairgrounds from Friday through Sunday with five different sessions. Saturday’s sessions run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and then from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Sunday session is 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees can enjoy unlimited 1-ounce samples of more than 400 beers including award-winning local craft brews and suds from around the globe. General admission tickets cost $62 per person, while VIP tickets cost $105. For more on this brew fest, click here.
DeStorm Power
7 p.m., Paddock Stage
This YouTube sensation hits the stage as part of the fair’s new “YouTube Concert Series” highlighting viral artists who have risen to fame via social media. DeStorm Power is a hip-hop and comedy star known for his ability to create a song from any subject. He has an audience of 1.7 million YouTube subscribers and more than three million Vine followers, and is American Music Awards and YouTube Music Awards winner. This show is free with paid admission into the fair. There’s also a meet and greet session for a limited number of fans that costs $60 per person, not including fair admission.
Clare Bowen & Charles Esten
7:30 p.m., Heineken Grand Stage
Two stars of the hit TV show, “Nashville,” will take to the stage together in this concert at the fair. Paid fair admission is required to attend this concert. Unreserved areas (the 3rd and 5th level seats and standing room in front of the stage) are included with fair admission. Reserved seats (2nd and 4th levels, and Terrace) range from $24 to $36 for children, adults and seniors.
Mike Tompkins
7:30 p.m., Paddock Stage
Also part of the “YouTube Concert Series” at the fair, a cappella producer and artist Mike Tompkins will take his viral act live and show off his pop music remix skills. He currently has more than 200 million views on his online videos. This show is free with fair admission. Tompkins will also host a meet and greet with fans for $60 per person before his performance.
Billy Idolized
9 p.m., Coors Light Rock-On Stage
“Dancing With Myself.” “Rebel Yell.” “White Wedding.” This 21+ Billy Idol tribute show has it all and is free with fair admission Saturday night. The “Billy Idolized” band, of San Diego, is the ultimate tribute to the 1980s superstar – hair, hits and dance moves included.
Sunday, June 21
Grupo Intocable
7:30 p.m., Heineken Grandstand Stage
This Tejano-Norteño musical group from Zapata rose to fame in the 1990s with Norteño folk rhythms and pop balladry. Unreserved seats (3rd and 5th levels) are free with paid fair admission. Reserved seats (2nd and 4th levels, and Terrace) range in price from $24 to $36. Standing Room tickets on the floor cost between $28 and $34 for kids, seniors and adults.
SummerFist Mixed Martial Arts
11 a.m.; 1 p.m.; 3 p.m.; 5 p.m., Paddock Green
Mixed martial arts action hits the Paddock Green on Father’s Day. Two 20-minute bouts will be contested during each of the four sessions. This event is free with paid fair admission.
World Tour: Legends of Rock
9 p.m., Coors Light Rock-On Stage
This 21+ show features a tribute band rocking out the most high-energy, legendary anthems of all time from the 1980s. The members of the band have toured with the best, too, including icons like Guns N Roses, AC/DC, Tom Petty and REO Speedwagon, just to name a few. This show is free with paid fair admission. Rock on!
