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Saturday, July 24, 2021 (6:38 pm)
COVID vaccination station coming to the OC Fair
The Orange County Health Care Agency will administer COVID-19 vaccines at a special vaccination station at the 2021 OC Fair. The clinic will be in the Costa Mesa Building starting Wednesday, July 28 and going through the run of Fair, which ends on Aug. 15.
Initial days of operation will be Wednesday–Friday, and back again on Sunday, with hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The county plans to administer approx. 100 vaccines daily. Depending on public feedback and activity at the clinic, that number could increase to up to 200 vaccines daily and the county will adjust hours of operation accordingly.
No appointments are needed for OC Fair guests, staff or partners.
For more information, visit https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/covid-19-vaccine-resources
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Friday, July 23, 2021 (9:10 am)
Daring diners – this OC Fair is for you!
The OC Fair concessionaires have been concocting tasty new treats to delight fairgoers who have been waiting for their favorite summer tradition to return – crazy Fair food!This year’s OC Fair will run July 16-Aug. 15, Wednesdays through Sundays, with limited attendance. The theme is “Time for Fun!”With so much to choose from, here’s a handy guide to this year’s new food at the OC Fair:Latin flavors• Taco de Lengua – Pepe’s Mariscos Fresh Mexican Seafood• Taco de Tripa – Pepe’s Mariscos Fresh Mexican Seafood• Fresas y Lechera Churro – Big Dogs• Watermelon Taco with Tajin – Cowboy Kettle Corn• Sugar-Rimmed Lemonade with flavors including chamoy – SqueezersHot and spicy• Waffle cone with buffalo chicken and mac & cheese – Chicken Charlie’s• Hot Cheeto -n- Cheese Burger – Biggys• Hot Cheeto -n- Cheese Pickles – Biggys• Spicy Deep-Fried Hot Dog Bites – Pink’s Hot DogsSweet stuff• Banana Cream Funnel Cake – Dutchmens Funnel Cake• Fried Ice Cream – Fried A Fair• Chocolate Chip Nutella Ice Cream Sandwich – Totally Baked Cookie Joint• Candy Apples: Mermaid, Unicorn or Baby Shark – Sweeties and Sweet Dreams• Cotton Candy Taco – Sweeties and Sweet Dreams• 50/50 Brownie Parfait with Bavarian cream – Mom’s BakeshoppeCrazy combos• Chicken Lumpia (can top with ice cream) – Chicken Charlie’s• Fried Chicken Funnel Cake – Dutchmens Funnel Cake• Buffalo Brownies (can top with ice cream) – Chicken Charlie’s• Italian Nachos – Pignotti’s in Wine Courtyard– and so much more fun food on sticks, deep fried, wrapped in bacon and topped with whipped cream!OC Fair classics and favorites will return, bringing fairgoers giant turkey legs, deep-fried sweets, bacon-wrapped corn dogs, great BBQ, cotton candy and ice cream galore.Deal alert! $3 Taste of Fair Food on Thursdays is back. Guests can get a sampling of food and treats for only $3 each every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (extended hours!!) Fun-sized samples include funnel cake, tri-tip, lemonade, cinnamon rolls, tacos, gelato, cotton candy and more. See $3 Taste of Fair Menu (Thursdays only).The Wine Courtyard will be open during the Fair. Hosted by the Orange County Wine Society, the courtyard features award-winning wines that are available for purchase by the glass as is food and lighter fare.The OC Fair has added more shaded tables and seating areas for dining and has increased sanitization procedures to help keep everyone safe.Tickets to the Fair must be purchased in advance (no fees!) on ocfair.com. Fairgoers should make sure to get tickets for special days and group adventures now, since limited daily capacity days could sell out.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2021 (9:54 am)
Is there vegetarian food at the OC Fair? You bet!
We know the OC Fair is known for its crazy food, but fairgoers might not know there are plenty of healthier options to choose from. There are even amazing food choices for vegetarians!For a popular vegetarian option, go to Ten Pound Buns for a delicious avocado toast. Or try the original version with cheese or The King – based on Elvis’ favorite sandwich, it’s got peanut butter, bananas and honey.At the classic Hot Dog on a Stick, go for a vegetarian corn dog or even two types of cheese on a stick. Tip: The lemonade is also great.If you prefer food with even more pizzazz, mosey on down to the main carnival area for Hot Cheeto-n-Cheese Pickles at Biggys or a Watermelon Taco with Tajin at the Dole Soft Serve stand next to the Euroslide.The grills are fired up at the OC Fair and there are plenty of fresh veggies being cooked up throughout the fairgrounds.There are more fried veggie options, such as zucchini curls, at the Chicken Charlie’s locations where fried hummus, pickles and pineapple are also on the menu.There are no shortage of potato options at the OC Fair. New this year is The Tater Bar located in the Main Mall area where you can choose an array of toppings. The signature Tasti Chips also come with lots of terrific topping options including garlic parmesan or even plain with a side of ketchup.At Fresh Frys, there are classic choices or crazier ones, and you can always opt for the giant blooming onion, which is great for sharing. (Visitors can also look for the cinnamon sugar yammies while there.) For even more spuds, check out Australian Battered Potatoes for their popular potato slices with many choices of add-ons to make it your own. Baked potatoes are available too.If you prefer corn, and like it roasted, the OC Fair is the place to be! At Bob’s Corn, you can find elote as well as the standard cob or cut into a cup. The veggie kabobs here get great reviews and baked potatoes are available there too.Crazy Nachos offer a meatless version and veggie tacos are available at Noel’s (avocado tacos and quesadillas are here too) and Pepe’s Mariscos, where veggie burritos are also for sale.Going Italian will work for vegetarians as well with pizza being served at Gino’s Pizza and Pignotti’s Pasta, which also has, of course, pasta. At Pignotti’s Gourmet Snacks in the Wine Courtyard, there are vegetable and cheese plates available.At Eddie’s Asian Inspired Cuisine there is vegetable tempura, chow mein, veggie rice and more meatless choices.Terri’s Berries has plenty of fresh choices including fruit cups and bowls – some also include cucumber – smoothies, chocolate-dipped apples and strawberries and juices. There are even fancy fairy-dusted lemonades!And the apples! There are abundant choices if you like your apples dipped in chocolate, drizzled in caramel or candied with lots of choices at Terri’s Berries in addition to many locations throughout the fairgrounds.Grab your healthy buddies, get your tickets online in advance, and head to the OC Fair for a one-of-a-kind foodie experience.There is an abundance of sweet treats that will satisfy vegetarians and others looking for a snack. Dole Soft Serve, doughnuts, cotton candy, churros, shave ice, kettle corn, funnel cakes, cinnamon rolls and cookies are all plentiful.Please note: Although ingredients may be vegetarian or vegan, food may be prepared on surfaces where non-vegetarian items are cooked. Customers should inquire at food stands if they have dietary restrictions or concerns.
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Sunday, July 18, 2021 (4:56 pm)
OC Fair sells out for first time; advance ticket buy required – limited capacity
For the first time ever, the OC Fair sold out on Saturday, July 17. With limited daily capacity this year, advance ticket purchase is required.Other days are also on track to sell out, so fairgoers are encouraged to plan ahead and buy their admission tickets on ocfair.com or on the 2021 OC Fair mobile app – no service fees.Concerts and shows in the Pacific Amphitheatre and The Hangar include same-day Fair admission for performances taking place during the OC Fair, which ends its run on Aug. 15.Key things to know about the 2021 OC Fair:· A limited number of tickets are available each day· Advance online ticket sales only – no transaction fees· Tickets are good only for the date purchased; please choose dates carefully – no refunds· Same-day Fair admission is included with tickets to concerts during the Fair· OC Fair is not currently planning to increase capacity which is capped at 45,000 daily· Masks are required indoors for unvaccinated guestsTickets are $12 weekday general admission (Wednesday, Thursday) and $14 weekend general admission (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Admission for seniors (60+) and youth (ages 6-12) is $7 every day and children 5 and younger are free.The 2021 OC Fair mobile app is now available with information on daily activities as well as a map, news & information and tickets. Search for “ocfair 2021” in your app store.The Fair will open each day at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and midnight on weekends.General parking is still $10, $20 for buses and limos, credit card only. The free shuttle from Experian and OCTA’s OC Fair Express bus service will not be available this year. Carnival tickets are also on sale now so fairgoers can skip the ticket booths, and tickets for concerts in The Hangar and Pacific Amphitheatre can be found at ocfair.com/entertainment.
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Saturday, June 26, 2021 (1:47 pm)
Fair Board pays tribute to Pride Month
During June’s OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors meeting, members paid tribute to Pride Month.
The presentation highlighted the contributions LGBTQ+ have made to Orange County’s communities, education and heritage, and to agriculture throughout California.
