The OC Fair opens Friday, July 19 and runs through Aug. 18.
There are few forms of entertainment where you can find pig racing, a comedy hypnotist, Dr. Pepper Pickle Soda and Alice Cooper all in the same place.
Except, of course, at the OC Fair, running July 19 through Aug. 18 for a 23-day run, with the theme, “Always a Good Time.”
OC Fair Communications Director Terry Moore said the inspiration behind this year’s theme is “nostalgia, cherishing good memories and creating new ones.”
Indeed, there are both returning favorites and new additions to this year’s OC Fair.
What’s New
Moore said new rides include the thrill ride Overdrive, the crazy coaster Heidi and the Enchanted Castle fun house.
Director of Exhibits and Education Carol Singleton said the Explorium area, located in the OC Promenade, offers free activities for families and this year, the theme is “Sand & Sea,” featuring all sorts of ocean-related activities.
The Aquatic Touch Tank is featuring sea life that guests can actually touch. Sea creatures include a sting ray, shark, green brittle sea stars, chocolate chip sea stars, sea snails, pencil urchins and horseshoe crabs. There is also a virtual reality experience where guests can take a virtual dive under the sea off the coast of Southern California. Plus, there’s a scavenger hunt that walks visitors through some of the landmarks along the Pacific Coast Highway in Orange County.
A beach cleanup activity lets children compete by collecting trash from the indoor beach exhibit. Meanwhile, the hermit crab lab educates guests about hermit crabs, which they can actually hold.
“A variety of ocean-related craft activities including creating a paper kelp forest, seashell bracelets, colorful fish designs and more,” Singleton said. “Many of our activities focus on protecting our oceans, water safety, and what people can do to be good stewards of the sea.”
Dan Gaines, OC Fair entertainment director and Pacific Amphitheatre venue manager, said long-time fan favorite, comedy hypnotist Mark Yuzuik, has decided to retire.
“His are big shoes to fill, but we have brought in the very popular comedy hypnotist, Chris Mabrey, to entertain fair fans,” Gaines said. “Chris will be performing in the Action Sports Arena three times per day, Aug. 7 through Aug. 11 and the performances are free with fair admission.”
The Action Sports Arena also features BMX Big Air Triples, with the world's top BMX pros showcasing their versatility and innovation over a one-of-a-kind, 195-foot-long course that includes a 26-foot-high roll in, two large box jumps and a 14-foot quarter pipe, according to Gaines.
Of course big-name acts will also perform live in the Pacific Amphitheatre.
“And first-timer Alice Cooper will be playing on Aug. 16,” Gaines said.
He said there are also some great tribute acts that are playing the OC Fair for the first time: Hollywood U2 (U2), One More Night (Phil Collins and Genesis), Listen to the Music (The Doobie Brothers) and Live From Earth (Pat Benatar & Beyond).
Also new this year, on Saturday nights only, is the Knott’s Berry Farm Pie-Eating Competition, where competitors of all ages can win tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm, according to Singleton.
Singleton said the fair will have a variety of culinary demonstrations on the OC Promenade Stage throughout the day, including a new one this year that will show how to make your own homemade dog food.
She said that in August, the fair will celebrate Chicano Heritage Month and will have a new event, a Zoot Suit Fashion Show, on the OC Promenade Stage at 5 p.m. on Aug. 3, 4 and 11. Also, children will be able to cut out, color and assemble their own lowrider car in the craft area of the OC Promenade with the help of featured fine artist Jacqueline Valenzuela.
“This year we are launching a new food program called $5 Taste of Fair, which will run daily till 4 p.m. and will provide smaller, affordable food options for families,” Singleton said. “Participating food vendors will offer one item on their menu for just $5 until 4 p.m. daily. So you can try a variety of foods at an affordable price.”
Some new food vendors and bites this year include Spud Ranch with Tater Twisters, tater tots and baked potatoes; Cantina Nacho & Fruit Bar with nacho bar, Tostilocos, Crazy Watermelon, esquites, chicharrón con cueritos; and Vegging Out with plant-based and gluten-free bacon avocado cheeseburger, Fiesta Nachos and tacos, to name a few.
Images from the "Art of Music Experience" in 2023. Photos courtesy of OC Fair/Michael Goulding
Fair Culture
Singleton said the popular “Art of Music Experience” is returning this year.
“‘The Art of Music Experience: Exploring Iconic Album Covers’ is an immersive exhibit spotlighting the creators and stories behind iconic album cover art,” Singleton said. “The experience features over 150 large-scale, hand-painted album covers, displays and neon, pop-up record store, live painting and themed activations. It is returning because it was a big hit with guests last year.”
The “Rides & Rhythm” exhibit spotlights the works of OC Fair photographers Michael Goulding and Miguel Vasconcellos. The exhibit documents the fair as captured through the lenses of these two professional photographers, images they took over the past several years. The exhibit is on display for the run of the fair in the Visual Arts Gallery.
Singleton said the fair’s Culinary Arts program will display all the entries from various culinary competitions, including honey, preserves, hot sauces, cookies, pies, cheesecake, breads and sugar arts.
“We have two youth programs as well: one for children ages 9-17 and one called Blue Ribbon Kids for ages 5-8,” Singleton said. “Bring your kids and get inspired by our talented young chefs in the OC.”
The Hobbies and Handcrafts program will display all the entries from the Hobbies and Handcrafts competitions, including quilts, table settings, jewelry, costumes, crocheted dolls, knitted sweaters, tole painting (decorative painting on tin and wooden objects and other surfaces), stained glass, needlepoint, collections and more.
“There are craft tables in the Hobbies and Handcrafts building so guests can try their hand at creating something beautiful,” Singleton said. “Hobbies and Handcrafts also has youth categories so children ages 5-17 can enter their creations.” (The time to submit entries has already passed. Check the OC Fair website for submitting next year.)
She said the Table Setting competition is always a favorite, not to be missed.
“A documentary film called ‘Set,’ released a few years ago, featured many of our table setting competitors and their creative process,” Singleton said.
The Visual Arts program will display photographs, paintings, woodworking, ceramics and other fine art pieces from local artists in the Visual Arts Gallery.
The Orange County Woodworkers Association has demonstrations in the Visual Arts Gallery to give guests a taste of this age-old craft.
"At Heroes Hall Museum, we have a new exhibit titled ‘The Vietnam War through the Art and Photography of Ed Bowen,’ which features over 30 paintings and sketches by a combat artist who served during the Vietnam War,” Singleton said. “This is a favorite for those guests who are interested in all things military as well as who appreciate art. Guests can also color and write thank you notes for veterans and active duty troops to express their appreciation for their service and their sacrifice.”
The “Rides & Rhythm” exhibit features the works of OC Fair photographers Michael Goulding and Miguel Vasconcellos, documenting the fair over the past several years. Images courtesy of OC Fair
On Stages
Gaines said some big names in the entertainment lineup this year include country acts like Chris Young, Walker Hayes, Chris Lane and Orange County's Brett Young.
“Trevor Noah, who sells out whenever he performs at the OC Fair, will be closing out the fair run,” Gaines said.
He said returning favorite Rebelution has become so popular that this year the rock band is performing four shows, Aug. 8-11. And this year the group will be joined by Kolohe Kai.
Gaines said the Pacific Amphitheatre is tough to narrow down because there are so many great acts.
“If I were making recommendations to others, I would point them toward ABBA LA/Bee Gees Gold on July 20,” he said. “These acts would normally play The Hangar, but the pairing of the two has touched something in our fair guests. So much so that this will be the third year in a row that this show will sell out. Beyond that, I love, and would recommend to anyone, Cannons/Quinn XCII (July 25), Kool & The Gang/Morris Day and the Time (July 31), Stray Cats/The English Beat (Aug. 1 and 2) and Brett Young on Aug. 4.”
Tribute bands have also become quite the draw.
“There are so many great tribute bands in The Hangar this year,” Gaines said. “I'd say that all of them are not to be missed, but some of the fan favorites are 24K Magic! (Bruno Mars), Queen Nation (Queen), Which One's Pink (Pink Floyd) and Elton – The Early Years (Elton John).”
He said a personal favorite, Start Making Sense – A Tribute to The Talking Heads, will be opening the fair on July 19.
“This is one of the best tribute bands I have seen in a very long time,” Gaines said.
Community Entertainment at the OC Fair features everything from local up-and-comers to fun, community dance groups.
Entertainment supervisor Katie Hastings said local entertainers start applying to perform in early January. The Community Entertainment schedule is then created on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We have entertainers that have performed on our stages for over 20-plus years,” Hastings said. “Every year we have several returning dance groups and local bands from all over Orange County. Community Entertainment features performers of all ages from small children to seniors.
“Over the years we have discovered performers that have ended up opening shows at the Pacific Amphitheatre, including David Rosales and Dani Rose. The Community Entertainment program gives an opportunity for the next star to shine.”
For Community Entertainment, Gaines recommends the Rock Bottom Boys on the Meadows Stage July 9 through July 28.
“The Rock Bottom Boys tickle brains and bellies by performing iconic rock classics with a style that is truly all their own,” he said.
Other Things to Note
For karaoke fans, there’s Live Band Karaoke in Plaza Pacifica if you want to take the mic or just listen to others belt out tunes in the evenings.
The fair also has costumed characters available for meet-and-greets, including Strawberry Jan, Olivia Orange, Sunny Lemon, Carl Cotton Candy and Cornelious Corn.
For animal lovers, the livestock area features animals to teach and entertain, including displays with pygmy goats, llamas, global livestock, urban chickens and miniature donkeys. At Centennial Farm, the resident animal educators teach visitors about farm life. Visitors can check out California crops, and learn about beekeeping, gardening and growing rare fruit.
Singleton said that in keeping with the Sand and Sea theme, Northgate Market will have a demonstration on how to make ceviche. The market will also be selling ceviche in the OC Promenade along with its fan-favorite guacamole and chicharrones.
She said “The Magic of Frank Thurston” will return again to the OC Promenade Stage.
“He is always a favorite with the families,” she said. “His shows are at 2, 4 and 6 p.m.”
She said every night at 7 p.m., food-eating competitors will race to eat everything from watermelon to deep-fried Oreos for a chance to win a prize.
Gaines said the Action Sports Arena offers The OC Brew Hee Haw — A Craft Beer Round-up for guests 21 and older on opening weekend.
“Unlimited tastings, over 100 craft beers on tap and live music, this is pure fun,” he said.
Also in the Action Sports Arena, the Monster Truck Nitro Tour features 10,000-pound giants competing in exhilarating racing, wheelie contests and more for a high-octane experience for motorsports enthusiasts.
“There's a week of demolition derby and, given their popularity, they seem to unleash something primal in all of us,” he said. “One night will be traditional demolition derby, one night with traditional derby with all women drivers and three nights of the incredibly popular Motor Home Demolition Derby.”
Gaines said the Action Sports Arena has a free-with-fair component for every performance/event. Once the seats are full, the gates will close. There is a reserved seat option and this is the only way to guarantee a seat to any Action Sports Arena performance. He also suggests listening to OC Fair Radio (https://live365.com/station/OC-Fair-Radio--a70876) for a good mix of fair information and great music being performed at the OC Fair.
Moore added that the Out at the Fair gay pride event takes place on Sunday, Aug. 11.
Advance ticket purchase is required for the fair and daily capacity is limited. There are no transaction fees. Visit ocfair.com or download the OC Fair 2024 mobile app. Carnival tickets and wristbands are available online for a discount through July 18, and then can be purchased on the fairgrounds July 19 through Aug. 18.
Moore recommends rideshare to speed things up, lower stress and spend more time at the fair. She also said the Every Day Passport offers fair-goers admission any and every day for $60 with no restrictions, reservations or blackout days.
“Come to the fair early in the day — gates open at 11 a.m. — and grab a breakfast burrito, fresh-baked cinnamon roll or an acai bowl with your coffee and check it out before the crowds arrive,” Moore said.
OC Fair 2024
When: July 19-Aug. 18. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays: 11 a.m.–midnight
Where: 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
Cost: $13 general admission on Wednesdays and Thursdays; $15 general admission on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; $9 seniors 60+ and kids 6-12 every day; free for kids ages 5 and younger
Contact: 714-708-1500; ocfair.com
