San Diego County Fair
July 4th Fireworks
When: July 4, 2011
7:30pm, Navy Band Southwest
9:00pm, Fireworks begin
9:30pm, REO Speedwagon
Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds
Del Mar, CA (map)
Phone: Event website
What better place is there to spend Independence Day than at an all-American county fair? Highlighting the day will be the traditional fireworks display, which will happen at approximately 9:00PM. The fireworks display is visible throughout the Fairgrounds, so as long as you're outside, there's no better place to watch!
We'll start the day with a patriotic Opening Ceremony about 9:30AM at the O'Brien Gate. When the gates open about 10:00AM, there'll be plenty to do, including a great lineup of evening entertainment, including REO Speedwagon in a free-with-Fair-admission performance on our Heineken Grandstand Stage immediately following the fireworks display.
Take the COASTER: The COASTER train will be running on Monday, July 4, this year. Take the train to the Fair, and after the fireworks, North County Transit District will have buses to return you to every COASTER station, north and south of the Fairgrounds. There's no better place to spend the Fourth of July than at a traditional county fair. And now, getting here and getting home is easier than ever. See the Public Transportation page for additional information.
Park at one of our FREE off-site lots and take the FREE shuttle to the Fairgrounds. We have three free off-site lots:
• MiraCosta College's San Elijo campus (best for those coming south on Interstate 5 from North County)
• Horsepark Equestrian Center (a good choice for those approaching the Fair on Del Dios Highway)
• Torrey Pines High School (best for those coming from the southern part of the county)
Hometown Heroes: Know someone who deserves to be honored as a Hometown Hero? An active-duty or retired service member or supportive spouse? A firefighter, police officer, or first responder? Your child's teacher? These people go beyond their call of duty to protect and serve, but also inspire, encourage and better the lives of those around them.
KyXy 96.5 and the 2011 San Diego County Fair are once again honoring these types of individuals. Nominate your Hometown Hero to be honored at the 2011 San Diego County Fair!
Up to 125 nominees will be selected to participate in this special event honoring San Diego's heroes. Each nominee will receive Fair admission for four people for July 4, including reserved seating for the Grandstand show (see below), a commemorative certificate, T-shirt, and the opportunity to participate in the annual Hometown Heroes Parade with their family.
These guests will be honored during a celebration on the Heineken Grandstand Stage by KyXy's Sam Bass and U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander and humanitarian, Dr. Andy Baldwin with Got Your Back Network, a nonprofit organization providing assistance to families of fallen soldiers.
Heineken Grandstand Stage concert: The Grandstand Stage show will start at 7:30PM with the traditional performance by the talented and fabulous Navy Band Southwest, a Fourth of July tradition since 1993. Fireworks will follow at approximately 9:00PM, and then REO Speedwagon will keep the party going, starting at about 9:30PM. This show is free with Fair admission for unreserved seats, but you might want to buy a reserved seat. Click the band's name (above) for details.
If you don't take the COASTER to the Fair, plan to stay after the fireworks, and let the beach traffic clear. All of our exhibits, shopping halls and rides will stay open until midnight (except Creative Youth, which closes at 10:00PM, and Kiddieland, which will close about 11:00PM). The shuttles that service the free off-site lots run past midnight, so feel free to stay and enjoy!
