Judges' choice: Tara Mottola of Dulzura earned a first place and best of show for woodworking in the Kids' Best division for her walking stick made from manzanita damaged by a 2007 wildfire, which came within 100 yards of her home.
Background: Winning at the fair is nothing new for Tara, 13, a student at Oak Grove Middle School. She has taken several first places and a grand champion award for her goats.
How she got started: Tara said she found the stick, about five feet long, sanded it and made it glossy with polyethylene, but let the fire damage show through. On the stick are a beaded leather strap and a metal tab with the word “journey” etched on it.
Comment: “I think next year, I will do something else. You know when you walk into a garden and there is an arbor over it? I think I'm going to make an arbor.”
Tip for learning more: Take classes and join 4-H.
TODAY'S PICKS
Grandstand Stage: Los Huracanes del Norte, 7:30 p.m., free with fair admission.
Summer of Sports Exhibit: Olympics broadcaster Jim Lampley appears at 4 p.m.
Highlights: salsa contest (adults), 1 p.m., Home & Hobby; Tempestad de Durango, 2:30 p.m., Plaza Stage; Lady Dottie and the Diamonds, 9 p.m., Coors Light Rock On Stage.
FAIR FACTS
Through July 6 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Closed tomorrow. Gates are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: adults, $12; seniors 62 and older, $6; children 6 to 12, $6; children 5 and younger, free.
Information: (858) 793-5555; (858) 755-1161; www.sdfair.com/fair.
On-site parking: Cars and motorcycles, $9; recreational vehicles, $15; preferred parking, $15, no motor homes.
Off-site parking: Free, with shuttles from 9 a.m. to midnight. Del Mar Horsepark, 14550 El Camino Real, daily; MiraCosta College San Elijo campus and Torrey Pines High School, weekends and July 4.
Public transportation: Hourly buses to and from Escondido Transit Center. A shuttle between the Solana Beach Train Station and the fair leaves every 25 minutes. Passengers with a Breeze bus or Coaster train ticket receive a $1.75 fair admission discount at the west gate. Information: (760) 966-6500 or www.gonctd.com
NEWSROOM AT THE FAIR
The San Diego Union-Tribune's Newsroom at the Fair exhibit is in the Paddock Lounge next to Plaza de Mexico near the Grandstand entrance.
Meet columnist Diane Bell and Enlace publisher Francisco Mata, 1 to 4 p.m.
Explore the technology that brings you the daily newspaper, Today's Local News, Enlace, multimedia site SignOnSanDiego.com and AmplifySD.com, the all-San Diego music online radio station.
Tune to “U-T in the Community” and “Community Spotlight” on SignOn Radio LIVE, hosted by Drew Schlosberg on Tuesdays and Fridays, except July 4.
Online: For fair news and information, go to fair.uniontrib.com
