Judges' choice: Pecan bars dipped in chocolate earned Tanya Franchak of Santee the best of division in cookies. Franchak said her cookies have been popular at bake sales at St. John of Damascus Orthodox Church in Poway, so she decided to enter the recipe in the fair this year.

Background: Franchak, 51, said she loves baking and trying new recipes. She has competed at the fair for 20 years and won several times.

How she got started: Baking runs in the family. Her mother was a stay-at-home mom who taught Franchak and her sister how to cook and bake. The sisters passed their interest on to their children, and Franchak's son, a recent high school graduate, is considering a culinary career.

Comment: “It's just fun, most people like dessert. People get wowed over cream puffs.”

Tip to learn more: Take classes and experiment.

TODAY'S PICKS

Summer Concert Series: Cartel, 7:30 p.m., free with fair admission.

Summer of Sports Exhibit: All Sports Day showcases the Roller Dolls at 1 p.m. and soccer champion and Olympic gold medalist Shannon MacMillan at 2 p.m.

Highlights: Pepsi Pay-One-Price Day: Ride Fun Zone and Kiddieland attractions from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for $30; model building, wood turning, scroll sawing, 11 a.m., Design in Wood; Fido 500 mini-dog races, 1, 4 and 7 p.m., Sparkletts Water Infield; The Hank Show, a tribute to Hank Williams Sr., 9 p.m., Coors Light Rock On Stage.

FAIR FACTS

Through July 6 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 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 www.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 sports columnist Tim Sullivan from 1 to 4 p.m. and editor Karin Winner from 3 to 6 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.