DEL MAR — Lotsa folks attend the County Fair to gorge on new calorie-laden products like Mexican bunelos (similar to a cream puff), deep-fried Spam, deep-fried frog legs, and of course the ever-popular cinnamon rolls.

However, there are nonfattening reasons to attend the fair other than to load up on calories that will take weeks to shed.

Since their earliest beginning, fairs have been educational. The barter system and money drafts were first used when desert nomads in the Mid East gathered to exchange merchandise.

The merry-go-round had its beginning at these get-togethers when adults put their children on donkeys that walked around in a circle tied to a wheel with spokes made of branches. From there the merry-go-round or carousel was developed, which is still popular at modern fairs including Del Mar.

At the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago, electricity was introduced; as was the sewing machine, telegraph system, typewriter and telephone. The latter two are now considered to be relics.

There has always been an interest in food. Hand-cranked ice cream was popular in homes. It took a fair-minded inventor to develop the ice cream cone so it could be sold at fairs.

Not surprising, chilley (chili) made its debut at a fair in Texas.

A number of items now are sold on a stick. The late Dave Barham of Carlsbad came up with the hot dog on a stick when the County Fair resumed operations in 1946. His food wagon was colorful and glass plated so customers could see the operation. He added fresh squeezed lemonade because citrus groves were plentiful at that time and a perfect match for batter-covered weenies. His flair for showmanship included hiring the pretty Fairest of the Fair contestants and outfitting them in attractive costumes.

Aside from late food creations, fair visitors might see something in one of the buildings or on the grounds destined to become a household product. Not to be overlooked are some of the high school and college exhibits, like the robots in the grandstand.