Judges' choice: A boat-shaped baby cradle earned Bonita resident Stephen Streib best of class and best of division honors in the Student Showcase, General Woodworking. Streib, 61, took his classes at Helix Adult School. The cradle is made using boat-building methods of 100 years ago.

Background: He retired as a chemical engineer after 32 years with Chevron, and is the founder and administrator of the Sweetwater Assisted Living Facility in Bonita.

How he got started: Woodworking is a relaxing hobby, but he started by working on real boats he was sailing.

Comment: “My wife, Lois, and I have been sailing for 40 years and each have 30,000 ocean miles. That's why when I decided to make a cradle, it was not just any old cradle."

Tip for learning more: An adult education class is a good way to get started.

TODAY'S PICKS

Summer Concert Series: Little Big Town, 7:30 p.m., free with fair admission.

Summer of Sports Exhibit: Charger Girls, 1 to 3 p.m.; professional bull rider Luke Snyder, 5 p.m.

Highlights: Monster trucks and freestyle motocross, 1 and 5 p.m., Chevrolet Del Mar Arena; Best Animal Noise Contest, 11 a.m., O'Brien Stage; Blood, Sweat and Tears, 8:30 p.m., Chevrolet Paddock Stage.

FAIR FACTS

Through Sunday at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. 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; 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 Fourth.

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 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 Metro columnist Gerry Braun from 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 online radio station dedicated to San Diego music.

Tune to “U-T in the Community” and “Community Spotlight” on SignOn Radio LIVE, hosted by Drew Schlosberg on Tuesdays and Fridays (except July Fourth).

Online: For fair news, videos and information, go to fair.uniontrib.com