It’s summertime, which means it’s time for the Fair. Not the LA Fair,
the OC Fair, or, as they’re calling it this year, the OC Super Fair.
Though smaller than September’s LA County Fair, the Orange County
Fair offers a full range of crafts to admire, carnival rides to
exhilarate and more fried foods than you can gnaw a stick at.
You don’t have to avoid the Fair if you’re trying to eat healthy. You
can find steamed artichokes, grilled corn, salads, grilled chicken
and more tasty but low fat options. One of my favorite spots is
Terry’s Berries where you can get fresh fruit and fresh fruit
smoothies. I swear the only truly ripe peaches I see all summer come
from Terry’s Berries.
I also love the steamed artichokes from Jeanne’s Artichokes. Of
course, I also love their deep fried artichokes. Maybe I’ll try the
mixed platter this year with zucchini, mushrooms and more.
For more substantial food, I’m partial to the barbecue beef
sandwiches at the Chuck Wagon and just about everything at an upscale
Greek place whose name I’ve sadly forgotten. The gyros and souvlaki
are heavenly. The tri-tip sandwiches at Baja Blues cantina are also
delicious and you can sit indoors in the air conditioning. Always a
plus in July.
I always visit the Wine Courtyard to sample different wines. I
discovered my favorite Robert Mondavi riesling at the Fair and now I
buy it all the time.
Yes, you can tell I mostly eat my way across the Fair. I also enjoy
looking at the exhibits in the Home Arts, Collections, Floral and
Farm and Garden divisions. I have entered all those in the past. I
entered patchwork place mats in Home Arts and a collection of Star
Wars pins this year. And for the first week of the Fair you can look
to see whether my four-pound zucchini won the largest zucchini
contest. (But only for the first week of the Fair. New entries in
fruits, vegetables and fresh flowers are turned in on Tuesdays
throughout the Fair.
Adrenalin junkies can find all sorts of carnival rides and a sky ride
that frankly scares the bejeebers out of me. It’s so exposed. I feel
like I could easily fall out. My sister loves it, however.
I also check out the animals. They’re going to feature horses for a
week, July 29-Aug. 2. I’d like to see the mustang demonstration and
the jousting, but it’ll depend on which day I can go. Pigs are also
featured this year. The theme of the 2009 OC Super Fair is Think.
Big. So they will have a Think. Pig. Exhibit July 22-Aug. 9 with
images, folklore, artifacts, history and more all about pigs.
Another featured exhibit this year is Al’s Brain, a 3-D movie of a
journey through the human brain featuring Weird Al Yankovic.
There are different shows and concerts every day. I am intrigued by
the events in the Action Sports Arena. They always have a demolition
derby, this year scheduled for July 25, but this year, in honor of
the theme, they will have a second demolition derby on July 26
featuring Class C motorhomes. The mind boggles.
The OC Super Fair is at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. Take the 405 or
the 5 south to the 55 Freeway south. Exit at Del Mar/Fair Drive and
turn right on Fair Drive. From the 57, head south to the 5 and follow
above directions.
The Fair runs Wednesday through Sunday, July 10 to Aug. 9. It is
CLOSED Mondays and Tuesdays. It is open 10 a.m. To midnight on
Saturday and Sunday and noon to midnight on weekdays.
Admission is $10 for ages 13-59, $7 for seniors 60 and older, and $5
for children 6-12. Children 5 and younger are admitted free.
Thursdays are Kids Days and all children up to age 12 can get in
free. Fridays are Senior Days when admission for ages 60 and older is
only $4. Fair devotees can get a season pass called a Super Pass for
$30 for ages 13-59, $25 for seniors and $20 for children. Parking is
$5 general and $10 for preferred and for buses and limos. Free
parking on weekends only is available at the Experian parking
structure off the Bristol Street/Avenue of the Arts exit of the 405
Freeway. There’s a shuttle from the parking structure.
For more info about the Fair, visit their website at www.ocfair.com.