On stage at the San Diego Fair this week

Most concerts this summer at the fair are free with admission

The 2008 San Diego County Fair will run from Saturday, June 14, to Sunday, July 6, and will be closed two Mondays: June 16 and 23.

Among the returning highlights at the Fair is the Summer Concert Series, which is presented by Beck’s Beer.

What will it cost?

Concerts are free with Fair admission (except where noted below with special dinner packages) for unreserved seats. Limited reserved seating is available. Limited seating prices for Terrace seating are $31 for those ages 13-61; $26 for ages 62 and older and ages 6-12. Second and fourth level reserved seats are $25 for ages 13-61; $20 for ages 62 and older and ages 6-12. Prices include Fair admission, but do not include Ticketmaster fees. Buy tickets online through Ticketmaster.

• -1 p.m. June 14: Reggae Festival with Steel Pulse, Pato Banton & The Mystic Roots Band and Pau HanaThis UK roots-reggae band, Steel Pulse, will be on the Grandstand Stage with its Caribbean-infused beats and melodious tones.This nine-piece ensemble has kept the Rasta-rhythm going since their debut in 1975. The group has a Grammy Award-winning album, “Babylon The Bandit,” and nominations for two other albums, “Rage & Fury” and “Earth Crisis.”San Diego-based reggae band Pau Hana was founded in 1992 consisting of a group of friends just trying to keep the “pau hana” spirit alive, but their popularity soon grew.
• -7:30 p.m. June 15: La Arrolladora Banda El Limón with Los Rieleros del NorteLa Arrolladora Banda El Limón was formed by clarinet player Rene Camacho, who became involved in local traditional Mexican music in the mid ‘60s.This Mazatlán, Sinaloa-based act got international recognition during the ‘90s, becoming a top-selling group.Los Rieleros del Norte is one of the oldest norteño bands still playing today. They remain distinct by adding a little “Tex-Mex” feel to their music with the addition of a saxophone and accordion.
• -7:30 p.m. June 17: Grand Funk Railroad and The Guess WhoOne of 1970’s most successful rock bands, Grand Funk Railroad earned its big break after a wildly successful Fourth of July performance at the Atlanta Pop Festival in 1969.Original members Don Brewer and Mel Schacher form the nucleus of the band, with some fresh new faces, including Max Carl from .38 special, Bruce Kulick from KISS and Tim Cashion.The Guess Who, which has been on stages since the mid ‘60s, is the first Canadian rock group to have a No. 1 hit in the U.S. for the song “American Woman.”The band, starting off as Chad Allen and the Expressions, had its first major single was a cover of Johnny Kidd and the Pirates titled “Shakin’ All Over,” which became a hit in Canada, and made the Billboard charts in the U.S.Dinner package price: $85 for all ages. Price includes floor seating in front of the stage, Fair admission, parking and dinner, but does not include Ticketmaster fees.This show is free with Fair admission for unreserved seats on the third and fifth levels, and for the standing area in front of the stage.A limited number of reserved seats are available. Regular pricing, as mentioned above, applies to these seats.
• -7:30 p.m. June 18: SinbadStand-up comedian and actor Sinbad had his rise to stardom beginning in the ‘80s and early ‘90s when he landed a role in the hit TV series “A Different World.” He then went on to the big screen, starring in films such as “House Guest,” and “Jingle All the Way.”Dinner package price: $95 for all ages. Price includes floor seating in front of the stage, Fair admission, parking and dinner, but does not include Ticketmaster fees.This show is free with Fair admission for unreserved seats on the third and fifth levels, and for the standing area in front of the stage.A limited number of reserved seats are available. Regular pricing, as mentioned above, applies to these seats.
• -7:30 p.m. June 19: Dwight YoakamThe Kentucky-native Dwight Yoakam achieved double-platinum status with his 1986 debut album, “Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.” His hits include the Grammy-winning single “Ain’t That Lonely Yet,” “Close Up the Honky Tonks,” “Streets of Bakersfield” (a Buck Owens cover he sang with Owens) and “I Sang Dixie,” just to name a few.Dinner package price: $95 for all ages. Price includes floor seating in front of the stage, Fair admission, parking and dinner, but does not include Ticketmaster fees.A limited number of reserved seats are available. Regular pricing, as mentioned above, applies to these seats.