The San Diego County Fair began in 1880 and is a treasured summer tradition in San Diego County. The Del Mar Fairgrounds and the San Diego County Fair are owned and operated by the the 22nd District Agricultural Association, a State of California agency operating under the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The Fair has been known by three names during its history: The San Diego County Fair from 1880 to 1953 and from 2002 to present; as the Southern California Exposition and San Diego County Fair from 1954 to 1969; as the Southern California Exposition from 1970 to 1982; and as the Del Mar Fair from 1983 through 2001.