Tuesday, July 11, 2017 (2:25 pm)

The OC Fair & Event Center is bursting with Farm Fresh Fun – and it’s free admission and parking for the first three hours on Opening Day from noon to 3 p.m. July 14.

The midway is bustling with set-up activity, exhibits are being spiffed up, competition judging is under way and the Fairgrounds have been transformed into the summer’s best party.

Here are some highlights:

New OC Fair rides

The OC Fair is adding three new rides this year and one new funhouse, making the carnival bigger and more exciting than ever before!

The new La Grande Wheel XL is so big that it was transported on 22 semi-trailer trucks to get to the Fairgrounds. It is 130 feet tall, weighs 616,000 pounds and features a half-million LED lights. The 36 cabins are climate-controlled and hold six to eight people. It takes the Ferris wheel about three and a half minutes to make a full circle and can carry about 2,000 passengers an hour.

La Grande Wheel XL cost $6 million to build and is one of the largest traveling observation wheels in the western hemisphere. This giant new Ferris wheel was manufactured in Europe and is known as the Mercedes Benz of carnival wheels.

But two is better than one! For the first time ever, OC Fair will feature two giant Ferris wheels to whisk riders high into the sky for a panoramic view. La Grande Wheel XL will be joined by the Big Wheel. Standing more than 108 feet tall, the Big Wheel features the newest technology for a smooth ride. It’s equipped with LED lights and 24 open-air gondolas.

Also making its debut at the OC Fair is Endeavor – an open-air ride in which passengers are suspended in their seats and experience 3G acceleration. Riders will feel the sensation of flying 60 feet through the air at 25 miles per hour.

A new funhouse, Rockin’ Rodeo, will be coming, too, with zany twists and turns around every corner.

These are all from Ray Cammack Shows, and join returning favorites such as Big Top Swinger, Cliff Hanger, Cyclone, Insanity, Mach 1, Speed, Wild River and more.
View a full list of carnival rides.

Opening weekend entertainment

Friday: Comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias kicks off the Fair in Pacific Amphitheatre at 8:15 p.m. Tickets start at $45. The David Bowie tribute band Space Oddity is performing in The Hangar at 8:30 p.m. and tickets start at $17.50. It’s X-treme Freestyle Mo-X in the Action Sports Arena at 8 p.m. with tickets starting at $17.50.

Saturday: Lynyrd Skynyrd and OC’s own Jeramiah Red perform in Pacific Amphitheatre at 7:30 p.m. and tickets start at $37.50. In The Hangar, the Pink Floyd tribute band Which One’s Pink? takes the stage at 8:30 and tickets start at $17.50. It’s Speedway Fair Derby in the Action Sports Arena at 8 pm; tickets start at $17.50.

Sunday: The Happy Together Tour starts at 8 p.m. in Pacific Amphitheatre with tickets starting at $22.50. Blue Oyster Cult takes the stage in The Hangar at 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20. In the Action Sports Arena, it’s SummerFist 10 at 6 p.m. and tickets start at $15.

All tickets include OC Fair admission. Get your last-minute seats at Ticketmaster.

Fun for everyone

OC Brew Hee Haw brings the best in craft beer to the Fair and fans can sample more than 80 brews. Saturday the taps are flowing from noon to 4 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are $65 at the door, if available, and $55 in advance at ocbrewheehaw.com and include Fair admission.

If you prefer wine, visit The Courtyard for wine tastings, vino by the glass and assorted nibbles.

There is plenty for children, too. Check out the Kids Can Cook show at Centennial Farm and while you’re there, catch milking demonstrations, look for new baby animals and visit the honey-tasting bar.

Returning favorites for the whole family include the Peking Acrobats, Russell Brothers Family Circus, All-Alaskan Racing Pigs and kids’eating competitions every evening in the Explorium. Don’t miss Crafters Village, Carnival of Products and Parade of Products – tons of special shopping deals for Fairgoers.

OC Fair deals

Super Pass – Enjoy all 23 days of the Fair for the best price! Super Passes are $35 for general admission and $28 for seniors and youth ages 6-12. New this year: Super Pass holders who come to all 23 days of the 2017 OC Fair will win the Perfect Attendance Award and receive a free 2018 Super Pass.

Veterans and active-duty military personnel – Admission is always free with ID and their guests can purchase up to six half-price tickets.

Read and Ride – Kids ages 5-11 can read two books to earn three free carnival rides. Download book report forms at bit.ly/ocfairread and redeem them at the Centennial Farm information booth.

Seniors Day – Those 60 and older get in for $5 every Friday.

$2 rides and $2 games – On Fridays noon-4 p.m. rides and games are just $2 in the main carnival and the kiddie carnival.

Best Deal Ever – On Saturdays and Sundays, Fairgoers can take advantage of this promotion featuring half-price admission and carnival rides for half the usual number of tickets.

OC Fair Express – Take an OCTA bus from one of nine locations direct to the Fair and receive a coupon for $3 general admission, one coupon per person. Bus fare is $2 each way on Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-midnight. For more information and locations, visit ocfairexpress.com.

Free offsite parking on weekends – Park in the Experian structure at 475 Anton Blvd. (near the Bristol exit off the 405 Freeway), in Costa Mesa and catch a free shuttle to the Fair 10 a.m.-1 a.m.

View a full list of deals and promotions.

Friday, July 7, 2017 (4:53 pm)

Farm to fork. Artisan crafted. Locally made. Small batch. These words don’t just define a food revolution, they hint at what you’ll find in the culinary exhibits and demonstrations at the 2017 OC Fair.

Steal away from the midway for a little while to discover artisans who bring the “Farm Fresh Fun” theme to life. Taste award-winning California olive oil. Sample locally made kombucha. Learn how butchers, bakers and local booze makers are changing the way things are crafted in Orange County and beyond.

The culinary team at OC Fair & Event Center has curated a lineup that showcases top local chefs, TV celebrities, cookbook authors and local businesses to help Fairgoers get a taste of what that food revolution is like.

Let’s take a look at what and who you’ll find at the Fair in the OC Promenade Culinary Arts Building:

Pies: Karen Uyeda is a passionate fair attendee and previous OC Fair Blue-Ribbon Winner for her pies. She launched Sweetcie Pie and her business has flourished. Learn her pie-making secrets. July 19, 3 p.m.

Spirits: Brian and Robin Christenson launched the very first craft distillery in Orange County, Blinking Owl. These locavores and grain nerds will teach how they mill, ferment and distill barrel aged whisky and more. They have a great local story to tell. July 22, 3 p.m.

Paella: Junior chef Isabella Vegh is a member of 4-H and a previous triple Best of Class Winner in Preserved Foods and Winner of the Youth Spam Competition. Isabella will demonstrate how to make authentic Paella Valencia. July 20, 5 p.m.

Butchery: Chef Noah Blom of ARC Restaurant, Restaurant Marin and The Guild will give a primal cut butchery demonstration and he’ll share his best tips. Aug. 2, 5 p.m.

Meat: Executive Chef Melissa Cortina, of Bavette’s Meats and Provisions, attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and learned at the hands of master Italian butchers. She will answer questions about buying, using and preparing meat. Aug. 13, 5 p.m.

Bread: Cortina will be joined by former Blue Man Group performer Don Kohler who will demonstrate how to make unique Icelandic geothermal rye bread in your home kitchen. Kohler is now star of Hallmark Channel’s The Home & Family Show. Aug. 13, 5 p.m.

Beer: The first and only non-GMO, vegan-friendly beer, Dr. Jekyll’s Craft Beer, is produced by Tom Costa, an avid home brewer of more than 25 year. Learn how to bring craft beer into the kitchen and onto the plate. Aug. 6, 3 p.m.

Fermented food: Fairgoers can learn about the health benefits of lacto-fermentation from Dr. Yasmine Mason of Fermentation Farm, and try a free sample of kombucha. Daily

Seasonal: Chef Ernie Alvarado, pictured above, of Urbana is bringing Farm Fresh Mexican-inspired dishes to the table. Find out how he has mastered the use of seasonal produce in his creations. July 22, 7 p.m.

Sweets: Chef Stéphane Tréand will showcase his incredible talents by creating a highly technical sugar sculptor showpiece. July 30, 5 p.m.

Produce: Robert Schueller of Melissa’s Produce is known as Produce Guru. Become one of his followers and increase your knowledge of fruit and vegetables. July 21, 2 and 4 p.m.

Here’s a list of featured culinary events and demonstrations.

The 2017 OC Fair is July 14 through Aug. 13 and will offer 23 days and nights of entertainment, food, rides, shopping, exhibits and more. The Fair is open Wednesdays through Fridays from noon to midnight, and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to midnight.

2017 OC Fair media guide: bit.ly/17ocfairmedia
2017 OC Fair promo photos: bit.ly/2OCFair17photos
Food photos: bit.ly/17ocfairfood
Promo videos: bit.ly/17ocfairpromovideos

Press credential requests: bit.ly/ocfairpress

Thursday, July 6, 2017 (4:49 pm)

Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez has performed all over the world, and this summer the 13-member band will make a stop in Orange County, returning to the OC Fair on Sunday, Aug. 6.

Hernandez says they have been performing at the Fair for about 20 years, and that it’s one of the best shows they do all year.

“We like to take our audience on a ride,” Hernandez said. “We play popular songs from the 60s and 70s all the way up to today’s contemporary.”

This year’s performance will be extra special for the group, as they will pay tribute to three of Mexico’s biggest icons in the Mariachi world: Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete and Javier Solic.

“I think people will appreciate the quality of the music, the instruments and the vocals of Sol de Mexico,” Hernandez said. “Mariachi gives Latinos a sense of pride, and it’s easy for others to feel that pride as well. It really brings people together; it’s magical.”

Founded in 1981, Sol de Mexico aims to portray the beauty of Mexico’s land, people and heart. They have created 18 albums over their 36-year history, and have recorded with some of Mexico’s biggest icons, including Selena and Lola Beltran. The group has gone above and beyond in mariachi music by being the first mariachi ensemble to be nominated for a Grammy. They’ve traveled all over the world, including Spain, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela, China and even North Korea.

Hernandez is the fifth generation of mariachi performers, who originate from Jalisco, Mexico, which is the birth place of mariachi music.

Hernandez, who lives in Newport Beach, sings and plays the trumpet, violin, guitarron and vihuela. Hernandez has also composed, arranged and provided music for all of Sol de Mexico’s albums.

“Mariachi music is the type of thing that gets passed down from generation to generation,” Hernandez said. “We’re even starting to pass it down to a sixth generation with my nephew, who now plays in the band with me.”

On top of leading a successful mariachi band and a popular restaurant, Cielito Lindo in South El Monte, he spends his time teaching the power of mariachi to the community. Hernandez began Mariachi Heritage Society in 1991 to educate younger generations the importance and development of mariachi music and has since taught over 10,000 children.

The Mariachi Heritage Society offers lessons in violin, guitar, trumpet, vihuela, guitarron, voice and ballet folklorico for students ages 7 to 18. The Santa Ana School District has opened its doors for the Mariachi Heratige Society to teach their students.
“Mariachi music can be cross generational,” Hernandez said. “Kids and parents get so involved in learning about Mariachi that I’ve seen it change lives.”

Around 125 of the students will perform with the group at the Fair. 
Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez will perform in The Hangar at the 2017 OC Fair on Sunday, August 6 at 1:30 and 6 p.m. Tickets start at $17.50 and are available via Ticketmaster.

The 2017 OC Fair is July 14 through Aug. 13 and will offer 23 days and nights of entertainment, food, rides, shopping, exhibits and more. The Fair is open Wednesdays through Fridays from noon to midnight, and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to midnight.

2017 OC Fair promo photos: bit.ly/2OCFair17photos

Press credential requests: bit.ly/ocfairpress

Wednesday, July 5, 2017 (4:52 pm)

You can feel the anticipation growing every summer in Orange County. The waiting is intense. The Ferris wheel goes up and mouths start to water. You hear the question everywhere: What crazy foods are coming to the OC Fair?

Last year, 50% of Fairgoers surveyed said their favorite part of the Fair is the food. Fried, sugary or savory – and sometimes all three at once – the delectable edibles are some of the big stars of the OC Fair. So here’s a spotlight on the new and daring bites coming your way when the Fair opens July 14.

NEW FOOD AT THE 2017 OC FAIR

Unicorn Nitro Pop, a cotton candy ring around a colorful cup of kettle corn and whipped cream, submerged in liquid nitrogen (also available: Nitro Whip) – RCS Cowboy Kettle Corn

5-pound barbecued pig leg; bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts, grilled on a stick with olive oil and rolled in parmesan cheese; pineapple on a stick, wrapped in bacon, grilled and rolled in parmesan cheese – Bacon A Fair

Fried peanut butter meatballs, luau chimichanga, pupu chicken, Krispy Kreme ice cream chicken sandwich – Chicken Charlie’s

Fried octopus on a stick, deep-fried ravioli on a stick – Pignotti’s Pasta

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos on several items: pizza, Big Daddy corn dog, cheese fries, corn in a cup or on the cob –Enzo’s Pizza, Biggy’s and The Corn Shack

Chocolate chip cookies that come in a cone or a bucket – Cathy’s Cookies

Corn dog with spicy buffalo sauce, served with bleu cheese dressing – Don Crutchfield corn dog stands

Unicorn pineapple bomb and unicorn freeze – D&D Country Fair Cinnamon Buns

Cowboy sundae (with beans, beef and more) – Chuckwagon

Gelato donut sandwich – Fabe’s

Mini donut sundae – Mini Donuts

Maui Cowboy Ghost Pepper Cheeseburger – Tasti Burger

Non-dairy Dippin’ Dots – JK Dots

Sonoran hot dog and a CA burrito – Noel’s Mexican Foods

Kung pao chicken, chow mein and more – Eddie’s Asian-Inspired Cuisine

Australian Battered Potatoes, celebrating its 30th anniversary, will feature their specialty with a new spicy chipotle sauce

RETURNING FAVORITES

BBQ chicken, corn and more; burgers, hot dogs, fries and more at Juicys; Hawaiian chicken bowls; grilled corn and vegetables; several different ice cream stands, including ice cream cookie sandwiches; shaved ice and smoothies; waffles and crepes; and more.

Other vendors include: Pink’s Hot Dogs, Biggy’s Meat Market, Ten Pound Buns, Corn Star, Apollo’s Greek, Carmelot, Pepe’s Mariscos, Crutchee’s Ice Cream, Enzo’s Pizza, Fresh Frys, Fried Affair, Hussong’s Cantina, Hot Dog on a Stick, Planet Popcorn, Mucho Crazy Nachos, Mustards Café, Old West Cinnamon Rolls, Texas Donuts, Vinny’s Pizza and more.

$3 TASTE OF FAIR FOOD

Get a sampling of all this fun food for only $3 each every Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. Fun-sized samples include funnel cake, tri-tip, lemonade, cinnamon rolls, tacos, gelato, cotton candy and more.

Thursday, June 29, 2017 (4:50 pm)

Let’s go behind the scenes at one of the country’s most exclusive wine-tasting competitions, hosted by OC Wine Society, where professional judges swirl, sip and savor entries from California wineries to determine who will win the gold at the 2017 OC Fair. 

The judging process is a sight to behold. The organized chaos works in a constantly flowing circle: stewards pour bottles of wine into glasses, labeling each with numbers for identification, and then serve the judges. After that round of tasting, the stewards maneuver the trays of glasses around to the washers and the dryers while the results are delivered to a group of volunteers who enter the handwritten scores into a computer. Wine is then poured again and around it goes. 

It’s known as a double-blind tasting. The judges know what the varietal is, but not who made the wine, its price, sugar level or any other information – and stewards are in the dark, too. 

The OC Wine Society enlisted more than 70 judges who put their expertise to work over a weekend this month tasting some 2,500 bottles of wine for the annual commercial wine competition. Lucky Fairgoers will be able to taste the winning entries in The Courtyard during the Fair that runs July 14 through Aug. 13. (See complete list of 4-star, gold, silver and bronze medalists.)

“This is the one of the most prestigious competitions in the country because we do only California wines,” said Fran Gitsham, treasurer of OCWS and one of the competition coordinators. “And we’re known to have the highest caliber of judging because we only allow actual winemakers and winery owners and some wine consultants. It’s the elite of the elite.”

Dennis Esslinger, Director of Judges, pairs up the judges to taste the types of wine they’re best known for, so they are well-versed in what they’re critiquing, Gitsham said.

If you’re picturing a bunch of wine snobs trying to one-up each other, you’re wrong.

“You can tell it’s a very congenial event, which I think leads to more thoughtfulness, and there’s no posturing or posing,” said David Stevens, a consultant for Davon International. “You have a chance to evaluate wines exactly the way they are – there are no politics involved.” 

Stephens has been judging for OCWS for 17 years. Many of the judges have been returning year after year to be a part of the competition.

“I always look forward to coming to this event,” said Norman Yost of Flying Goat Cellars. “For me, it’s a great opportunity to fine-tune my palette, and also to taste wine with my peers, which we only do once a year.”

Yost was in a judging panel with Stephens, along with Paul Ahvenainen of Korbel Champagne Cellars and Chris Ehrenberg of Ehrenberg Cellars. In between friendly banter and jokes, Stephens pointed out that the four men have about 100 combined years of experience. Yost has judged for 11 years, and says one of the reasons he returns is because the event is different than others.

“I think that’s the greatest attraction is they make you feel part of a special clique, and not many events allow that to happen,” Yost said. “Plus you get to taste great wines.”

OCWS actually hosts two major annual wine competitions at the OC Fair. The week after the professional judging, about 100 judges evaluated some 600 home wine entries.

While both competitions are run in essentially the same fashion – and with all volunteers – the judging itself is actually quite different. Most notably, the commercial wines are judged by professionals in the wine business while the home wines are judged by trained volunteers. Kevin Donnelly, competition chairman, says all scoring is based on a modified UC Davis 20-point scale. OCWS hosts judging workshops to help the judges stay consistent. 

Another big difference in the competitions is the Best of the Best award in the home wine competition. This is determined through a consensus by the judging panel. Each judge gives an award based on their individual recommendation, and then the panel of four judges gives a consensus award. If all the judges give a gold in the individual scoring, the wine is labeled a double gold, and these top winners are on display in The Courtyard during the Fair.

Orange County is represented well in the double gold winners, with home winemakers from Orange, Dana Point, Mission Viejo, North Tustin, Yorba Linda, Lake Forest, Irvine, Santa Ana and Costa Mesa. (See a complete list of home wine competition winners.)

Esslinger and his wife, Carol, have spent a lot of time reorganizing the competitions, making them what they are today.

“Everything was manual, not state of the art,” Esslinger said. “When we got involved we started applying engineering principles, using computers to get things organized and automated, and put together a whole sequence of events. There’s tons of reports that get generated to verify bottles and boxes, and a lot of the cross checking from start to finish – most of that didn’t exist when we got started.” 

Now, OC Wine Society, with over 1,000 members and 350 active volunteers, hosts competitions that flow like wine. 

“This organization transcends every gender, every sexual orientation, every culture, every religion, every race,” Gitsham said. “This is the way the world should be.”