Judges' choice: Rancho San Diego resident Janice Ellertson earned a first place in the Professional Wearable Art section of the Home and Hobby division for her quilted jacket with a mermaid theme.
Background: Ellertson, 52, began entering wearable art contests about 10 years ago and won a few times before entering the prestigious invitation-only Bernina Fashion Show.
How she got started: She began making clothing for her Barbie dolls at age 12, then took sewing classes in school. As a teenager, she made her own clothing.
Comment: “Working in a quilt shop, I use the skills I developed while I stayed at home raising my family in a profession I love. I never thought at this age I would have a career.”
Tip for learning more: “We teach classes on quilting at Cozy Quilt shop in Rancho San Diego, (619) 670-0652.”
TODAY'S PICKS
Grandstand Stage: Grand Funk Railroad and The Guess Who, 7:30 p.m., free with fair admission.
Summer of Sports Exhibit: USD Toreros Day with University of San Diego coaches from noon to 3 p.m.
Highlights: Doggies of the Wild West, 11 a.m. Plaza Stage; Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m., Durante Area; Keltik Kharma, 9 p.m., Coors Light Rock On Stage.
FAIR FACTS
Through July 6 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Closed June 23. Gates are open 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. Today is dollar day. With a minimum $10 purchase at a Ralphs market, receive an admission ticket for $1.
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's 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 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 Pat Flynn, Dialog editor, 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.
