July Fourth marks the last day of the San Diego County Fair, and they're going out with a bang – quite a few fireworks bangs actually. (Get it?) The show includes more than 3,600 aerial display counts with 500 shells just in the grand finale.
The gates open at 10 a.m. on America’s birthday and the fun lasts all day.
Guests can cheer the pugnacious pigs of the Swifty Swine Racing Pigs as they race for the Oreo cookie on a silver platter at 11 a.m. and the Wild West Turkey Stampede takes place at the same time.
If you’re feeling a little famished you can enter Coco’s Pie Eating Contest at noon or the Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest at 12:30 p.m. – both fine Fourth of July traditions.
At 1 p.m., the Hometown Heroes Parade will make its way from the main gate down the avenue to the Fun Zone, filled with decorated floats, fair performers and nearly 100 “hometown heroes,” which includes teachers, volunteers and first responders chosen by the community.
Following the parade, those who are red, white and blue bedecked can enter the Most Patriotic Costume Contest.
Later in the day, the Navy Band Southwest’s Destroyers Contemporary Music Group will perform with the Marine Corps Installations West Color Guard Team from Camp Pendleton. Watch the sky as the FA-18 Hornet Fighters from Marine-Attack Training Squadron 101 do a flyover around the same time.
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AT 7:30 p.m., country singer Lee Greenwood, author of the tear-inducing ballad “God Bless the USA,” will perform a patriotic set on the Paddock Stage.
And just as the sun is setting, it'll be time to hold your loved ones a little closer as you finish your last funnel cake and watch the fireworks light up the Del Mar sky over the Ferris wheel.
Even after the last firework falls from the sky, the fair still won’t be over! It’ll be time to put your dancing shoes on for the Fun after Fireworks Dance Party with San Diego native DJ SteevieWild, a special showing of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” that perfectly sums up the fair’s “How Sweet It Is” 2018 theme or catch some laughs when comedian Jeff Ross Roasts San Diego.
And after a day like that, you might want to just fall asleep in the livestock tent next to Bessie. (Editor’s note: Don’t really do that).
For a full schedule of Independence Day events at the fair click here.
