In the ribbons: David Kerr’s Chinese pickled eggs

San Diego Union Tribune – United States
Background: The 51-year-old Leucadia resident works at UCSD in the
facilities design and construction department. He likes to can and makes
green tomato …

Judges’ choice: David Kerr’s Chinese pickled eggs earned him a best of show in the fair’s pickle division of the home and hobby department. He hard-boiled the eggs, cracked the shells and then soaked the eggs in tea. When the eggs are peeled, intricate spider web designs remain on the eggs.

Background: The 51-year-old Leucadia resident works at UCSD in the facilities design and construction department. He likes to can and makes green tomato relish and bread-and-butter pickles every year for his family.

How he got started: He began gardening when he moved into his current home 15 years ago. He started canning so that he could extend his garden.

Comment: This was the first time he tried the tea egg recipe: “I got the recipe book at a garage sale.”

To learn more: Kerr recommends reading the pamphlets that accompany canning jars, which can be purchased at most stores.

Today’s picks

Grandstand Stage: The Wailers play reggae music at 7:30 p.m. Free with fair admission for unreserved seats.

Highlights: Pepsi Pay-One-Price Ride Day, unlimited rides with purchase of $30 wristband. Ralphs grocery stores offer a $5 discount coupon with purchase of a Pepsi product. Also: wool spinning, 11 a.m., Agri Fair; Bubble Gum Blowing Contest, noon, Plaza Stage; “Beat Your Digital Camera” with Fred Greaves, 7 p.m., Photo Show; Lee Rocker of The Stray Cats, 8:30 p.m., Coors Light Rock On Stage.

Newsroom at the Fair: Meet Pat Flynn, senior business and sports editor, and Arthur Salm, books editor, 1 to 4 p.m.

Fair facts

Through July 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Closed three Mondays (June 11, 18, 25) and two Tuesdays (June 12 and 19). Gates are open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. other days.

Admission: $12; seniors 62 and older, $6; children 6 to 12, $6; children 5 and younger, free.

Information: (858) 793-5555, (858) 755-1161 or www.sdfair.com.

Parking at fair: Cars and motorcycles, $9; recreational vehicles, $15; preferred parking close to the O’Brien Gate, $14 (no motor homes).

Public transportation: The NCTD will operate Breeze shuttle buses to and from Escondido Transit Center hourly. A shuttle transporting passengers between the Solana Beach Train Station and the fairgrounds leaves every 25 minutes. Passengers who show their Breeze pass when entering the fair will receive a $1.75 discount on fair admission. Fairground shuttles are no longer free; a day pass is $2 to $4. For more information, visit www.sdfair.com or contact the North County Transit District at (760) 966-6500 (Monday through Friday) or info@nctd.org.

Newsroom at the Fair

You are welcome to stop by The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Newsroom at the Fair. The exhibit is in the Paddock Lounge next to the Plaza de Mexico near the Grandstand entrance.

Browse a display of our history and explore the technology that brings you the daily newspaper; Today’s Local News; Enlace; SignOnSanDiego.com, the Union-Tribune’s multimedia site; and AmplifySD.com, the all-San-Diego-music online radio station.