This year, the LA County Fair ran from May 5 – May 30, which is three months earlier than in previous years. In case you missed the LA County Fair, you’re in luck! The OC Fair is now open, just in time to have some fun before the fall semester starts!
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Located about 40 minutes from Pomona, the OC Fair is a must-visit this summer.
Here’s what you need to know:
When? July 15 – August 14, Wednesdays through Sundays
Where? 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Hours: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Wednesdays & Thursdays; 11 a.m. – midnight Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
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Remember: Tickets must be purchased in advance and are required to enter the fair. Be sure to plan out your visit beforehand, considering the flux in prices depending on the day you choose to go.
General Admission: $12 on Wednesdays and Thursdays while it is $14 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Special tickets are available for those eligible: $7 for seniors (age 60+) and kids (age 6-12) Wednesdays-Sundays.
Parking: $10 for cars and motorcycles; $20 for limos and buses.
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One of the best parts of the OC Fair, in my opinion, is the wide variety of entertainment. From live music to demolition derbies, there is something for everyone to enjoy! One of my favorite things to do at the fair is play the carnival games for a chance to win giant stuffed animals. It’s fun to make it a competition among friends to see who can be the first to win a prize!
Both the rides and games have a certain number of tickets used as payment. The price for 16 tickets is $20, 40 tickets for $50, and 80 tickets for $100. A discounted ride wristband is also available for $44, but this is only valid Wednesdays and Thursdays. Special deals are also available for children ages 5-11 and that information can be found here.
Be sure to check out the hundreds of different fair food options during your visit! The vendor list and locations can be found here. If you’re looking to sample food from multiple vendors, the $4 taste card is a great option. Valid only on Thursdays, the taste card includes fun-sized samples of funnel cake, tri-tip, lemonade, cinnamon rolls, tacos, gelato, cotton candy, and more. For me, it’s not a trip to the fair without getting a funnel cake!
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This year, Toyota is hosting a summer concert series at the Pacific Amphitheatre . Many live performers are scheduled to play on various days throughout the month. The schedule can be found here. The event includes over 20 performers from all genres of music and comedy acts, including Trevor Noah, Lindsey Stirling, and Frankie Valli, just to name a few.
The Hangar is another place to hear live music through celebrity experiences. There are tribute shows for Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin, Elton John and many more!
The Action Sports Arena offers various shows, such as themed demolition derbies. Along with the car and truck demolitions, there are also Speedway events with motorcycles in the arena. I’ve been to a car demolition show and it was such an exhilarating experience! I would recommend checking it out if you’re at the fair.
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Many people don’t know this, but there is a three-acre working farm on the fairgrounds. Centennial Farms is home to fruit and vegetable gardens, livestock, agricultural displays, and the Millennium Barn. Admission is free and reservations are not required. The Farm is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, but you can visit from Wednesday through Sunday, between the hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Image via ocfair.com
The OC Fair also showcases a variety of exhibits and displays. “California Fresh” is one of the newest exhibits, highlighting California’s specialty crops. Using a QR code, visitors will be able to join a County Bounty Treasure Hunt augmented reality (AR) game. There will also be stage demonstrations with culinary experts sharing their own tips and tricks, as well as recipe cards available for pickup along the way. Other exhibits include animals, explorium, Hero’s Hall, agriculture, garden and floral, crafts and hobbies, and visual arts competitions.
Will you be heading to the OC Fair this month? What activities do you need to do at the fair? Be sure to let us know @ASICPP on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!
