22nd District Agricultural Association (Del Mar Fair Board)Government

The 22nd District Agricultural Association (Del Mar Fair Board) is a state institution operating under the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Division of Fairs and Expositions. Governed by a nine-member board of directors appointed by the Governor of California, its mandate is to manage the nearly 370-acre Del Mar Fairgrounds, organize the annual San Diego County Fair, oversee the historic Del Mar Racetrack lease, and operate the Del Mar Horsepark for year-round equestrian and community events. While agricultural fairs in San Diego County trace back to 1880, the 22nd DAA purchased the oceanfront Del Mar property in 1936 with state and WPA assistance, opening the fairgrounds in October 1936 before partnering with Bing Crosby to inaugurate the famed Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in 1937.