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Del Mar’s Fabled Fairgrounds By Roger Showley - 06/15/2008 The San Diego Union-Tribune More Info on This Book: Del Mar Fairgrounds
As depicted in a new book from Arcadia Publishing, “Del Mar Fairgrounds,” by Diane Y. Welch and her husband, R. Paul Welch, the fair bounced all over the county before landing permanently in Del Mar in 1936 with the creation of the Del Mar Turf Club and state-approved horse betting. Hollywood stars (and part-time San Diego County residents) Bing Crosby and Pat O'Brien led the campaign, fronting $250,000 and selling stock at $100 per share under a 10-year lease renewed since then. Sea Biscuit raced there 70 years ago on Aug. 12, 1938, beating Ligaroti by a nose. The fair, financed largely from the horse track revenues, has had its share of legendary features along what was once called the “Gay Way.” Some intriguing sights from the 1950s included in the 128-page paperback: an Eiffel Tower made from toothpicks; a bubble-gum-blowing contest; and a “diaper derby” in which babies in diapers crawled across a 15-foot course. Forgotten today was the fairgrounds' role during World War II, when Marines used the stables during training exercises. The grandstand building served as a subassembly plant for B-17 Flying Fortress components, and 80 acres east of the fairgrounds was a Navy blimp landing area. “This Man's Navy,” starring Wallace Beery, was partly filmed at the wartime base. And what book about the fair would be complete without photo spreads of Don Diego and his Fairest of the Fair beauty queens? The William Morris Theatrical Agency in Hollywood tapped actor Tommy Hernandez to play the official greeter in 1947 and he served that role until 1984, the year he died. He frequently escorted the Fairest of the Fair winners, whose selection also began in 1947; the pageant crowned its last beauty in 2004. Most famous fair lass: La Jolla High School's Raquel Tejada in 1958, better known as actress Raquel Welch. Buy It Now: Del Mar Fairgrounds $19.99 |
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