Summer time is fair time at the Orange County Fair. From July 14 – August 13 2017, enjoy “Farm Fresh Fun,” rides, games, entertainment, food, and more.
The fair is open from noon to midnight Wednesday-Friday and from 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday-Sunday. General admission is $12 Wednesday through Friday and $14 on weekends. Senior (60+) and youth (6-12) tickets can be purchased for $7.
The Stars Shine in Pacific Amphitheatre
Summer time is fair time at the Orange County Fair. From July 14 – August 13 2017, enjoy “Farm Fresh Fun,” rides, games, entertainment, food, and more.
The fair is open from noon to midnight Wednesday-Friday and from 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday-Sunday. General admission is $12 Wednesday through Friday and $14 on weekends. Senior (60+) and youth (6-12) tickets can be purchased for $7.
The Stars Shine in Pacific Amphitheatre
The 2017 Toyota Summer Concert Series in Pacific Amphitheatre will feature Dashboard Confessional, Pepe Aguilar, Jake Owen, Echo & The Bunnymen and Violent Femmes, Kenny Rogers, Colbie Caillat, The Band Perry, Steve Miller Band with Peter Frampton, the Pacific Symphony, and more.
Tickets are on sale now on Ticketmaster and the Pacific Amphitheatre Box Office. A ticket includes a reserved seat for the performance and admission to the fair.
Fun Run
The OC Marathon will host the OC Fair 5K Fun Run on August 6 at 8 a.m. The event will feature a course that includes detours of fun, such as a ride down the giant slide. Registration is $30 for adults 16 and older, $20 for children ages 6-15, and $5 for children 5 and under. Runners can save 20 percent with code OCFAIR20 and register at ocfair5k.com. A ticket to the fair is included with registration.
Heroes Hall Open During the Fair
A new feature to the fair, California’s only museum dedicated to the stories of those who served is open. Admission is included with a fair ticket. Exhibits include “The Things They Carried” and “The SAAAB Story.” Visitors can learn more about the sacrifices of soldiers and the legacy of the Santa Ana Army Air Base. The hall is a permanent, year-round museum that includes performances and educational programs designed to honor the legacy of Orange County veterans.
Fabulous Fair Food
As always, the fair will feature unique food offerings, including:
• 5-lb. BBQ’d pig leg – Bacon A Fair
• Luau chimichanga – Chicken Charlie’s
• Fried octopus on a stick – Pignotti’s Pasta
• Candy corn nitro whip – Cowboy Kettle Corn
• Unicorn freeze – D&D Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls
• Maui Cowboy Ghost Pepper Cheeseburger – Tasti Burger
• Gelato Donut Sandwich – Fabe’s
• Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Pizza – Enzo’s Pizza
Chefs Cook Up Farm Fresh Fun
The fair will feature demonstrations and tasting sessions from all sorts of culinary artists, including chefs, bakers, farmers, food bloggers, mixologists, brewers, and butchers, at the OC Promenade Main Stage. The 30 minute demonstrations are educational and free. Visitors can see Stephané Tréand’s amazing displays of sugar art, watch junior chefs compete, and sample olive oil, honey, kombucha, and more.
The Fair is Loaded with Animal Magnetism
Animals are everywhere at the OC Fair, including at the petting zoo, the show ring, and races.
Here are a some of the ways you can visit with animals at the fair:
• Visit the Livestock Area to see 4H and FFA students work with the animals they raise for the Fair
• Get a seat at the pig races or turkey stampede and root for your favorites
• Check out an oxen demonstration to marvel at Patches, Hoss and Howie
• Watch the Budweiser Clydesdales parade through the Fairgrounds
• Go to Centennial Farm to see baby animals and milking demonstrations
• Hang out with a variety of domestic and exotic animals at the petting zoo
• Learn about camel dairies, goats, birds, bunnies, chickens and more in livestock
Winner, Winner, Winner!
The fair will feature competitions of many varieties, including the best craft beer, the best jams, the best photography, the best pottery, the best quilts, woodworking, squash, flowers, and more. Visit the exhibitions (most of which are air-conditioned) to see the winners and amazing displays.
Ferris Wheel Fair First
For the first time, the fair will have two giant Ferris wheels: the brand new La Grande Wheel XL– one of the largest traveling observation wheels in the Western Hemisphere– and The Big Wheel, which is also new to the OC Fair. Another new ride at the fair is Endeavor. This open-air ride suspends passengers in their seats, causing them to experience 3G acceleration.
Deals & Discounts
• We Care Wednesdays – Every Wednesday
Free admission and a carnival ride by bringing a donation for a nonprofit.
• $3 Taste of Fair Food – Thursdays, noon-4 p.m.
Test out all the food the OC Fair has to offer for only $3! Vendors will offer a special tasting item.
• Best Deal Ever! – Saturdays & Sundays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Get half off general admission and half the carnival tickets to ride.
• Kids Day – Kids get in free every Thursday
This article appeared in the July 12, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.
