By Gina Yarbrough
Del Mar, CA–The 22nd District Agricultural Association has been honored with 24 excellence awards from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, a nonprofit organization that supports agricultural fairs, shows, and exhibitions at the state, provincial, regional, and county levels.
The 22nd District Agricultural Association, which produces the annual San Diego County Fair and owns and operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds, received awards for the 2024 fair and the fairgrounds, including 11 first-place awards, plus a Best in Division award.
The association also recognized the district for its dedication to environmental initiatives, facility upgrades, and year-round operations. The district earned the prestigious Best of Division award for Non-Fair Related Facility Usage, highlighting its innovative programs and activities that extend beyond the annual fair.
The awards were announced during a recent virtual presentation hosted by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions ahead of its upcoming conference.
The awards programs celebrate exceptional accomplishments in marketing, publicity, competitive exhibits, photography, and agricultural education. Entries are evaluated by expert panels based on criteria including creativity, thematic consistency, production quality, resource efficiency, and innovation. The district competes in a category alongside other major fairs nationwide.
Nearly 900,000 visitors flocked to the 20-day 2024 San Diego County Fair, which embraced a nostalgic “Let’s Go Retro” theme. The event celebrated the vibrant cultural trends of the 1950s through the 1990s, offering a fun journey through decades of iconic history.
“This year, our Fair truly exemplified one of the district’s core values: A+ Quality,” said Carlene Moore, the District’s CEO. “We are deeply honored to receive this slate of awards from our industry peers within IAFE, and we are extraordinarily grateful to have the opportunity to create a safe, enjoyable, and educational experience for our community at the Fair and all year long at the Fairgrounds and our other campuses. We are looking forward to another great year in 2025.”
The 2025 San Diego County Fair will open on June 11 and run through July 6. This year’s theme is “Summer Pet-tacular” – a celebration of pets and pet ownership.
A list of International Association of Fairs and Expositions award-winning entries for 2024:
Agricultural
- Unique exhibit showcased outside of Fair time: Plant*Grow*Eat Program
Communications
- Miscellaneous Marketing: VIP Media Booklet
- Outdoor Advertising: Bulletins/Billboards
- Online Advertisements: Meta ads promoting carnival rides
Competitive Exhibits
- Use of Theme: Let’s Go Retro
- Strategy to Engage Participants: QR Codes for Home-Made Exhibit
- Creative Display: Theme Exhibit
- Contest Occurring During the Year: ‘Toast of the Coast’ Wine Competition
Non-Fair Facility Usage
- Facility Website: delmarfairgrounds.com
- Facility Social Media: Meta posts promoting environmental programs
- Capital Improvement Plan & Execution: Water Quality Initiative Project
Second Place – Agricultural
- An exhibit designed to educate consumers on the Story of Food: California Grown Communications
- Single-Sided Ad: Kids’ Day Ad in San Diego Family Magazine
- Folded Promotional Ad: Fair-Tastic Food Gatefold in San Diego Magazine
- Souvenirs and Commemorative Items: Paper Cube
- Best Marketing Campaign: Let’s Go Retro overall marketing campaign
Non-Fair Facility Usage
- Facility Beautification Project: Tree Planting Project
Third Place – Agricultural
- Policy developed to correct a challenge impacting your fair: Agriculture Advisory Council
- Evolved exhibit which promotes agriculture to the fair-going public: The Farm (at the Fair)
Communications
- Digital Advertising Video: Visit the Fair on a $50 Budget
- Radio Spots: Music Genre, Chevy Livestock
- Miscellaneous Marketing: Hollandia Milk Carton
Competitive Exhibits
- Photo Series: Flower Show
The 22nd District Agricultural Association owns and operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds and is governed by a nine-member board appointed by the governor. Fairgrounds operations are primarily funded by revenues generated by hosting events, the largest being the annual San Diego County Fair.
