It's the second-to-last weekend of the San Diego County Fair and the calendar is jam-packed with fair fun. From live music to a spirits and cocktail festival, there are plenty of reasons to toast to the fair.
Friday, June 24
The Jacksons
7:30 p.m., Heineken Grandstand Stage
The Jacksons take the Heineken Grandstand Stage for a night of toe-tapping tunes including the band of brothers’ iconic hits, “ABC,” “I Want You Back” and “I’ll Be There.” Unreserved areas in the 3rd and 5th levels are free with paid fair admission. Tickets for reserved sections start at $16.
Blink-180TRUE
9 p.m., Coors Light Rock-On Stage
Blink-180TRUE pays tribute to the trio from Poway with this fun 21+ show at the Coors Light Rock-On Stage. It’s free with paid admission into the fair.
Saturday, June 25
Gospel Fair
10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Various Locations
The 12th annual Gospel Festival takes over the fairgrounds all day Saturday with uplifting gospel choirs and solo artists across five stages, including the 8 p.m. headline performance on the Heineken Grandstand Stage featuring Shirley Caesar. All concerts, in unreserved seats, are included with fair admission. You can purchase reserved tickets to Caesar’s concert, too, starting at $16.
Distilled: Spirits & Cocktails Festival
1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Paddock Green
Head to the Paddock Green for this 21+ festival on Saturday featuring 100+ samples of award-winning spirits and cocktails, including some rare, hard-to-find bottles. The fest will also include bartender competitions, food pairings, live music and a chance to mix and mingle at education presentations all about the art of distilling. General admission tickets are $38.
Local
Who’s Bad
8 p.m., San Diego County Ford Dealers Paddock Stage
Michael Jackson fans, rejoice. Who’s Bad, a tribute band dedicated to the King of Pop, returns to the fair Saturday night with this lively performance. The show is free with paid admission into the fair. There is no reserved seating so get there early to snag a spot.
Sunday, June 26
Archery SoCal Showdown
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Grandstand Seating Area
For the first time ever, the San Diego County Fair will host the 2016 Archery SoCal Showdown, a world-class competition that offers spectators a chance to see the best of the best just weeks before the Rio Olympics. Categories include both compound and recurve bow archery. The action starts at 11 a.m. sharp in the seating area in front of the Grandstand.
Tea Time in Wonderland
11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Sprigs & Spirits in the Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show
Each Sunday, the fair will host two 90-minute sessions of “Tea Time in Wonderland” in the Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show area. Inspired by the fair’s 2016 theme, patrons will enjoy a proper “Wonderland” tea party that includes a menu of Egg Salad Sandwiches, Quiche Lorraine, Curried Chicken Boursin Puff, as well as baked goodies like mini Orange-Raspberry Scones, Raspberry Linzer Cookies and Vanilla Cupcakes with Strawberry Icing. Food is accompanied by black, green and herbal teas, and lemonade. Tickets are $35, including fair admission. The 21+ crowd can make it a “Tipsy Tea” for $50, which includes bottomless champagne. Tea party guests will also get to make a fun hat to take home. Seating is limited to 48 people. Don’t be late for this important date!
Mixed Martial Arts
12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Paddock Green
Exciting mixed martial arts action returns to the fair. Watch the bouts at the Paddock Green at 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday.
Los Tigres Del Norte
7:30 p.m., Heineken Grandstand Stage
Norteño superstars Los Tigres Del Norte return to the San Diego County Fair for this Sunday night concert. Unreserved seating in the 3rd and 5th levels is free with fair admission. Reserved seating starts at $16 per person.
The Bacon Brothers
8 p.m., San Diego County Ford Dealers Paddock Stage
The Bacon Brothers – Michael Bacon and actor Kevin Bacon – bring their cool musical talents to the fair. You can check out the show for free in the standing area; reserved seats start at $22 per person. There’s also a VIP package available for $75, which includes cocktails at the Red Star Café and front row seats to the concert.
