Nothing says summer like the smell of fried food as you feel the wind against your face on a ride, and there’s no better place to experience that than the OC Fair. The Orange County Fair is an annual event that takes place in Costa Mesa, California, during the summer. Although the fair was closed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has now reopened for the duration of July 16 to August 15.
The OC Fair is open from 10 am to 11 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 10 am to 12 am on weekends. As a result of limited capacity regulations, it is recommended that fairgoers plan ahead and purchase their tickets in advance. Admission fees vary for children and senior citizens, but the general public is charged $12 on weekdays and $14 on weekends.
One of the main appeals of the OC Fair is the wide array of delicious ? and outrageously overpriced ? food. But, there is certainly something to be said about the once-in-a-lifetime experience of consuming a deep fried Oreo or donut chicken sandwich. In addition to the questionable fair food extremes, plenty of booths offer the classics: funnel cake, giant turkey legs, ice cream, and cotton candy.
Aside from tons of tasty treats, the fair also has dozens of thrilling rides for people of all ages. From small, mild rides for children, to intimidating, intense ones for older teens, everyone can find something they’ll enjoy. For those who prefer to stay on the ground, there are also a variety of carnival games to play with potential prizes. Tickets are sold for fifty cents each, and the rides and games range from four to thirty tickets.
However, what differentiates the OC Fair from other fairs is the unique entertainment it offers to its attendants. Barns on the fairgrounds house an abundance of farm animals for visitors to see: pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, cows, and more. These animals often participate in races, competitions, and demonstrations for the public to enjoy. The fair also presents a number of concerts every day, with live artists’ performances. Finally, there are many different interactive activities for kids and adults to partake in, including arts and crafts workshops, visual arts displays, and floral arrangement competitions.
If you find yourself with some free time this summer, be sure to stop by the OC Fair and explore all that it has to offer ? you won’t regret it.
Iris Lim, Grade 12
Arnold O. Beckman High School
