SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR POSTPONED TO 2021 AMID COVID-19 CONCERNS
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Singer / Songwriter

The information below is from a previous Fair.

Enter and perform your original songs

Do you have the talent to wow the judges with your voice and songwriting? The Singer-Songwriter contest offers a $3,000 first prize!

The Winners

Congratulations to the winners in the 2019 Singer-Songwriter contest!

First place: Sophia Josephine Bacino
Second place: Ramoth-Gilead Jacobs
Third place: Aron Marquez

2019 Finalists

  • Emily Kate Boyd
  • Matt Haupert
  • Elizabeth Hull
  • Sara Elaine Kreuder
  • Natalya Phillips
  • Noah Rickertsen
  • Josh Zavala

Fair Postponement Info

2020 Singer-Songwriter applicants will be contacted by our Special Events Department to arrange participation in our 2021 competition.

New performance applications will be accepted beginning January 2021.

Questions? Contact performancecontests@sdfair.com.

Entry Information (HIDDEN)

Entry deadline: Monday, April 20, 2020.
Final round performance at the Fair: Sunday, June 14, 2020 on the Paddock Stage.
Dates subject to change. 

Rules & Regulations
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The Fine Print

Got questions? You may find the answer here.

Singers who are 18 or older by June 1, 2020, and reside in the United States. First-place winners of past Singer-Songwriter contests are ineligible. See Rules and Regulations for additional eligibility requirements.

Cash, trophies and recognition! First place gets $3,000; second place gets $2,000; and third place gets $1,000.

Submit your entry online by the deadline. A one-time fee of $20 is collected for each application. You may enter only once.

Yes, you will be sent an initial confirmation of your application. If you do not receive this, it could mean there was a problem with your application. Get in touch with us if you haven’t received confirmation two weeks after your submission.

It cannot be a cover of an already established and published song. Many of our performers have already copyrighted their lyrics, but for those who have not, they need to ensure their work has the composer/lyricist’s name(s) and can be verified that it is original.

Yes, you will be asked to provide the lyrics of your preliminary round song that you supplied in the application process. And this song must be played at the live round.

After the application deadline, all applications will be reviewed and judged by our Selection Committee. The finalists will be chosen and informed by email.

Yes, each finalist will get 10 minutes of stage time (set-up and teardown included). The original song must be played at the live round.

The performance order will be determined backstage prior to the contest start time. All contestants will need to be present at this time.

Yes. Each finalist gets one complimentary guest pass and one parking pass.

Here are the most common causes of disqualification:

  • Non-family friendly performances.
  • Full band/track in the application submission.
  • Cursing or vile language.
  • Outfits that are not appropriate.
  • Any misconduct backstage or during the contest at any time.
  • Not performing the song or the lyrics that were provided in the application at the preliminary or final rounds.
  • An incomplete application
  • Non-functional links
  • Playing/having more than one instrument in the application submission and/or in the live performance.

Get in touch online or call us at (858) 792-4259.

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We’re the San Diego County Fair and we send fun emails.
If you sign up for our email list, we pinky swear that we’ll only send you the good stuff. (must be at least 13 years old)