Del Mar CA— What started as a gathering of friends seven years ago has blossomed into an annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
Out at the Fair (OATF) is an all-day, family-friendly community festival happening Saturday, June 9, at the 2018 San Diego County Fair, presented by Albertsons│Vons and in partnership with San Diego Pride, TransFamily Support Services and other community-based organizations. OATF has received several accolades from Fair trade organizations, including the prestigious Barham Award, a top honor bestowed upon outstanding Fair service members, by the Western Fairs Association.
Saturday’s OATF features a full day of fun activities for the whole family. Loads of musical entertainment awaits fairgoers throughout the day, featuring local LGBTQ+ performers at the Paddock Stage, where the Newly Married Game takes place. Also in the Paddock area, guests can ‘Dunk a Hunk’ for charity, check out exhibits from local non-profit organizations and enjoy an art show at 17 Hands Restaurant.
In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, two single-use all-gender restrooms are available in Guest Services, and two multi-stall all-gender restrooms are available next to the Paddock Tavern. In preparation for the event, Kathie Moehlig, Executive Director at TransFamily Support Services, and her son Sam, offer sensitivity training to ambassadors and employees sharing the “dos and don’ts” of interacting with transgender guests.

Highlights of OATF include

• At the Bungee Jump, three daring queens take a leap during the Diva Drop, three times during the day. When the sun sets, the Coors Light Rock On Stage offers night entertainment, including American Idol’s David Hernandez, during Rich’s After Dark.
• New this year – the Laugh Out Loud Comedy Show at the Turf Club will feature three LGBTQ+ stand-up comics (21+ only). Also, Catch the Queens, is a fun in-app game, where players “follow and catch” several drag queens throughout the Fair. The game is available by downloading the Out at the Fair app. Official Out at the Fair merchandise will be available at the Paddock and Rock On Stage. The full lineup may be found at www.sdfair.com/out.
• Pride 2018 Collaboration Brew: To show their support for the LGBTQ+ community, locally-owned and operated craft breweries, Ballast Point (BP) and Hillcrest Brewing Company (HBC), came together to collaborate on HBC’s annual PRIDE Brew for 2018. Described as a Cucumber Lager, PRIDE ‘18 is described as a classic, crisp traditional lager with German Pilsner malt and Bock yeast with a dash of cucumber offering ripe melon and slightly bitter notes, followed by pleasant spicy and floral characteristics from the German hops. The Brew was released June 1 for National Pride Month, and is available exclusively in the Paddock Tavern at the San Diego County Fair, in addition to BP and HBC, leading up to Out at the Fair on June 9.