County Fair Tops the Cotton Candy of Weekend Events

Are you ready for , blue ribbon recipes,  and rides galore?

The , which starts Friday and continues through July 4, tops the goings-on from June 9 to June 15.

To complete our guide on what to do in La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Mount Helix, Santee and beyond, there's a chance to go fishing with firefighters, learn more about keeping healthy and enjoy a Hawaiian celebration.

LA MESA

• Where/when: , 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa, 10 a.m. Saturday.

• Why go: The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce organized the fair, featuring more than 75 booths which will offer information or health screenings for stroke, blood pressure and diabetes, among other ailments.
• Price: Free.

• Where/when: La Mesa Sunrise Rotary, 6210 Lake Shore Drive, San Diego, 7 a.m., Saturday.

• Why go: The community organization hosts a mass garage sale to raise funds for its local and Rotary-wide activities.

• Price: Free.

LEMON GROVE

• Where/when: , 6873 Federal Blvd., Lemon Grove, 1 p.m. Saturday.

• Why go: The post hosts a grand opening party celebrating its newly finished patio with special guests, a kids zone, live music and a barbecue lunch. Blue Current performs at 6 p.m.

• Price: Free.

MOUNT HELIX

• Where/when: San Diego County library, Rancho San Diego branch, 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, 2 p.m. Saturday.

• Why go: Enjoy Hawaiian dance and learn how to make a lei at the library's Summer Reading Kickoff.

• Price: Free.

SANTEE

• Where/when: , 9310 Fanita Parkway, Lakes 3 and 4, Santee, 6 a.m. Saturday.

• Why go: The  host the annual Fishing Derby with . Participants receive lunch, a raffle ticket, fishing permit, and (ewww!) worms.

• Price: Free for ages  3-17.

• Where/when: , Riverwalk Drive and Cuyamaca Street, Santee, 3 p.m. Tuesday.

• Why go: Seriously. Do it to celebrate the day in 1752 when good ol' Ben Franklin is believed to have launched his kite in a storm to show Philadelphia a little something about electricity. Organizers call it, you guessed it, National Fly a Kite Day.

• Price: Free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• Where/when: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 10 a.m. Friday.

• Why go: The San Diego County Fair kicks off with an opening ceremony and all the attractions you could hope for, from bungee jumping to monster trucks and displays of prize animals. Rocker Pat Benatar plays the opening concert, followed on Saturday by current chart-toppers Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae.

• Price: $7-$13, with discounts available.