Chair Canning Demonstration at the San Diego County Fair
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Join master craftsman Kevin Deal as he showcases the art of traditional cane webbing, bringing history to life before your eyes. Using natural strand cane- harvested from the outer bark of rattan, a tropical vine- he skillfully weaves seats for custom-made children’s chairs.
Step back in time to the 19th Century Woodworking Chair Shop, located at the rear of the Design in Wood exhibition, and watch as Deal demonstrates techniques that have been used for generations. These handcrafted children’s chairs, made from sturdy red oak, are built using period-accurate methods, including hot hide glue- the same adhesive relied upon by fine furniture makers for centuries. Every chair is finished entirely with hand tools, just as they would have been in the 1800s.
Each year, our talented woodworkers craft at least 50 chairs, which are then donated to non-profit organizations serving children. The San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA) members generously volunteer their time at the Fair to build these beautiful, durable chairs. If you know of a worthy organization in need of chairs, please visit the Design in Wood Information Booth to let us know.
A special thank you to Strata Forest Products for their generous donation of red oak, ensuring that these timeless skills continue to benefit the community.
Don’t miss this opportunity to see a master at work and experience the craftsmanship that stands the test of time!
Check the San Diego County Fair website for specific times!
Visit: https://www.sdfair.com/events/2026/chair-caning-demonstration
Del Mar Fairgrounds
The 22nd District Agricultural Association (22nd DAA) manages and operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds; its nearby equestrian facility, the Horsepark; and the Del Mar Golf Center, on behalf of the State of California. No tax monies are used in the operation of these facilities. The Del Mar Fairgrounds supports its budget through admission, parking and facility rental fees. The Fairgrounds, including its parking lots, is approximately 340 acres; Horsepark is approximately 65 acres. The Fairgrounds and Horsepark are the sites of nearly 350 events each year. They include weddings, receptions, bar and bat mitzvahs, equestrian and other animal shows, concerts, craft shows, home shows and other social and consumer events.View the event calendar for a day-to-day view of the latest events. Location The Del Mar Fairgrounds is located 20 miles north of downtown San Diego, at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, in the city of Del Mar, California. From Interstate 5, take the Via de la Valle exit and head west (a left turn from the freeway exit if you are northbound; a right turn if you are southbound). Take Via De La Valle to Jimmy Durante Boulevard and turn left. The Fairgrounds will be on your right. Del Mar Horsepark is about two miles east of the Fairgrounds at the corner of Via de la Valle and El Camino Real, at 14550 El Camino Real. Facilities Fairgrounds facilities feature 180,000 square feet of exhibit space, ranging from the Grandstand luxury suites, perfect for an intimate gathering of 10-20 people, to O’Brien Hall, which can hold up to 6,800 people. Also, the Fairgrounds has several outdoor venues, including the Grandstand and the Del Mar Arena, which can seat as many as 7,000 people. The Del Mar Fairgrounds is a permanent venue location to such seasonal attractions as: - Del Mar National Horse Show - San Diego County Fair - The Scream Zone - Surfside Race Place - PBR: Professional Bull Riding - Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
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