It looks different, my son mused, as we approached the OC Fair & Event Center that warm Summer day. A visit to the Orange County Fair has become one of our favorite summer traditions, and the juxtaposition between new and the familiar is just part of the charm of this annual summertime event. This year’s theme is “Get Your Fair Face On” where families can enjoy 23 days of food, rides, exhibits, entertainment and more.
Every year the fair’s theme changes which adds to the excitement. With so many things to do, you’ll want to be sure to make the most out of the fair’s 3-week run. Today I’m sharing Things You Don’t Want to Miss at the OC Fair.
- Cavallo Equestrian Arts – Ma ‘Ceo: This beautiful, edgy Equestrian Arts Spectacular merges the grace and beauty of horses with trick riding and a gypsy twist. The show will perform Under the Big Top during the OC Fair with free general admission and reserved ringside seating. Set to acoustic music, you’ll be wowed by death-defying stunts and in awe of the unique relationship between horse and rider.
- All-Alaskan Racing Pigs: A favorite among fairgoers, watch eight little pigs race around the track leaping over hurdles and squealing all the way to the finish line. Admission is free, however, I recommend an early arrival to secure a seat since this show frequently fills to capacity.
- Peking Acrobats: Once again, the infamous Chinese acrobats return to the OC Fair for an outstanding display of skill and agility. Their gravity-defying feats include precision tumbling, somersaulting, gymnastics, contortion, juggling, balancing and more. The accompanying music features traditional Chinese instruments and special effects that create an authentic, exciting experience.
- $2 Taste of Fair Food: Every year, the OC Fair debuts a selection of new, interesting, deep-fried, bacon-inspired culinary masterpieces. Each week throughout the fair, you can try a selection of foods on Thursdays from 12pm to 4 pm for just $2. The samples vary from week to week, but Nutella Crepes, Deep Fried Oreos, Bacon Bombs and much more. And if you’re specifically looking for this year’s new foods, here is a complete list:
- Chicken in a Waffle On a Stick: Chicken Charlie’s will serve up fried chicken tenders in a waffle on a stick with a side of maple syrup.
- French Toast Bacon Bombs: Bacon A-Fair’s latest breakfast creation includes sweet dough stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon, then deep-friend and rolled in cinnamon sugar.
- S’moreo Texas Donut: This Texas-sized doughnut is topped with a chocolate drizzle, Oreo cookie crumbles, graham cracker crumbs and marshmallow cream.
- Bacon Nutella Pickle: Pickle O’ Pete’s takes on the Nutella craze by filling a dill pickle with the hazelnut cocoa spread. That pickle is then wrapped in bacon, dipped in funnel cake batter and deep fried!
- Pork Belly Bacon Dog: Biggy’s signature dish will feature two feet of bacon are wrapped around a slow-smoked pork belly that is then dipped into a corn dog batter and deep fried.
- Deep-Fried Pizza Log: Located next to the Apple Fries booth, you’ll find the latest take on everyone’s favorite dish…pizza. Mozzarella cheese and pepperoni are wrapped inside thin pizza dough, deep fried until cripsy and served with a side of marinara sauce.
- Diabilito Sundae: Fruit Caboose will add Tamarindo and hot chili chamoy sauce to their ice cream for a Latin twist!
- Kool-Aid Hot Wings: Chicken Charlie’s is taking his breaded wings and tossing them up with a brand new, mildly spicy orange Kool-Aid sauce, exclusive to the OC Fair.
- Dole Whip: For the first time, the magical pineapple-flavored treat families love will be available at Crutchee’s Ice Cream.
- Bacon-Wrapped Baked Potato: This year,Bacon A-Fair, will wrap a half pound of bacon around a giant one-pound potato, then slow cook it in a wood-fired smoker oven. The Bacon-Wrapped Baked Potato is served with butter, bacon-infused sour cream, grilled veggies, blue cheese and choice of hot buffalo sauce or nacho cheese and jalapenos.
- Bacon Cheddar Brat Burger: At Grant’s Tasti Burger, guests can enjoy a burger that combines a bratwurst with an Angus beef patty. This burger is then served inside a pretzel bun with cheddar, chopped candied pecans, Applewood smoked bacon, Sriracha Bourbon and chipotle sauces, lettuce and tomatoes.
- Pink’s Hollywood-Inspired Dogs: This year, Pink’s will pay homage to Game of Thrones with their spicy Polish dog topped with sour cream, sauerkraut, onions, radish sprouts and Sriracha sauce. Additionally, they will serve up The Lord of the Rings Dog which features an all-beef hot dog encircled by fried onion rings and topped with barbecue sauce.
- Juicys: If you’re looking for healthier food options, be sure to check out the organic meat and nitrate-free hot dogs and sausages at Juicys.
- Chef’s Challenge – InstaYum: Every week during the OC Fair, local culinary pros will participate in a series of live cooking challenges with aspirations to create the most Instagram-worthy dish. Want to be a guest judge? Simply post your best food photo on Instagram with the hashtag #InstaYum and #OCFair.
- Monster Truck Destruction Tour – Monster Trucks & Freestyle Moto-X: Two years ago, the OC Fair introduced the power and car-crushing frenzy of monster trucks. This year’s trucks will use their colossal wheels and thunderous engines to jump, smash, and flip through dirt tracks, junk cars and other obstacles. Additionally, the Moto-X demonstration will feature audacious dirt bikes performing heart-stopping aerial feats around the track. Tickets include admission to the OC Fair.
- “Show Us Your Fair Face!”: Every night at The Hangar, you can watch a multi-media presentation featuring the best fair faces! This 5-minute mosaic includes a pyrotechnics finale. To participate, visit OCFair.com/OCFairFace.
- Oasis Camel Dairy Milking Demonstrations: Add milking a camel to your list of new and exciting experiences. Their exhibit in the Livestock Area will feature milking demonstrations daily through August 14th.
- Farmer’s Market: With so many vendors selling unique, hand-crafted, artisan products at the OC Fair, don’t forget to visit the California-certified farmers’ market located in Lot E from 8 am to 12 pm daily. The market includes produce and nuts sold from farmers to the public. Admission and parking are free, however, you’ll need to purchase tickets and parking to the OC Fair separately.
- Plein Air Festival at the Fair Live Contest: Watch as painters capture scenes on canvas as part of a live art demonstration.
With just 3 weeks to enjoy the OC Fair, I highly recommend visiting the website or downloading their free app to make the most of your time at the fair. Additionally, I have some tips on how you can save at the Orange County Fair this year!
- Encourage your children to read. The OC Fair’s Read & Ride Program offers children (ages 5-11) 3 free carnival rides when they complete the OC Fair Read & Ride Book Report Form.
- Pay it forward. Every Wednesday is We Care Wednesday where guests can donate new school supply items. Your donation of $5 or more grants you free admission and one carnival ride during the OC Fair (12 pm – 3 pm).
- Visit during the week. Not only will you enjoy fewer crowds, you can take advantage of $30 unlimited rides and 2 free games on Wednesdays and Thursdays, $2 food tastings on Thursdays, free admission for kids 12 and younger on Thursdays (remember that kids 5 & under are always free!), and $2rides/games on Fridays until 4 pm.
- Park offsite. On weekends during the OC Fair, you can park for free at the Experian parking structure located off Anton Blvd from 10 am to 1 am. Once you’ve parked, you can take the free shuttle directly to the OC Fair.
- Take public transportation. Ride the OC Fair Express Friday-Sunday and receive $3 general admission. Remember to use the special route directly to the Fair from one of 9 OCTA transit locations. The cost is $2 one-way, $4 round-trip and runs noon through midnight.
- Arrive early. While this makes practical sense when it comes to crowds, you’ll also receive $3 admission on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 11 am.
- Don’t forget specialty discounts. Active U.S. military and veterans always receive free admission to the OC Fair with ID and the option to purchase 6 general admission tickets for half-price. Additionally, every Friday is Seniors Day where guests 60 and older can receive $2 admission and free Ferris wheel and Merry-Go-Round rides throughout the day.
For more information about the 2016 OC Fair or to purchase tickets to separate-ticket events, visit OCFair.com.
Caryn is a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night and mom 24/7. She savors the warm Southern California sun and loves to travel, shopping, baking, reading and frequenting her local tea room. Caryn created the column Lavishly Green for Peekaboo Picks Magazine to share her best tips for going green in style, she is the Former editor for Family Review Network, former OC Family Magazine online contributor, former Orange County Moms Blog contributor, former Evenflo Savvy Parent contributor, former member of the Totsy Advisory Board and former freelance writer for CBS Los Angeles.
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