Death-defying daredevils? Check! Extreme thrill rides? Check! Smash ’em, crash ’em demolition derbies? Check! White-knuckle roller coasters? Check!
Looking for the most summer excitement per acre? Look no further than the midways and arenas of this summer’s OC Fair!
Action Sports Arena
The Nerveless Nocks Daredevil Circus comes charging back into Action Sports Arena with the Globe of Death, the Wheel of Steel and the FMX Stunt Spectacular. This family of audacious stuntmen and stuntwomen pull out all the stops to entertain Fair guests with adrenaline-pounding acts, bringing thrilling tour de force performances July 22-26.
Fairgoers asked for more demolition derbies and the OC Fair delivers with 10 nights of bashing, smashing, crashing and utter destruction. If it can be crushed, it is being crushed this summer in Action Sports Arena. Mini cars, minivans and motorhomes will face their demise Aug. 5-Aug. 16. Special shows include Damsels of Destruction, Emergency Pursuit Demolition Derby and two nights of the famous Orange Crush Demolition Derby when local first responders get behind the wheel to chase down serious damage.
Monster trucks are big-footing their way back to the OC Fair with five nights of huge tires and gigantic thrills July 29-Aug. 2. The audience will hold its collective breath as these behemoths attempt nearly impossible feats sailing across Action Sports Arena executing gravity-defying stunts.
View the full entertainment schedule.
Main carnival midway
The new Air Raid ride soars into summer, taking its place among the most high-speed intense rides in the carnival. This multi-action thriller combines a rotating tower with acrobatic, tumbling gondolas. It delivers an intense, multi-dimensional spinning experience, often reaching up to 4Gs of force and taking riders upside down.
Thrill-seeker favorites such as Cyclone, Aviator, Endeavor, Tango and Insanity feature tall drops, high speeds or intense spins. Super spectacular is a real ride category describing massive pendulum, drop tower or spinning loop rides such as Titan, Joker 360, Sound Storm and Overdrive. With more than 65 rides, the OC Fair midway throws out so much excitement that guests may need to pace themselves.
The game scene is strong and bragging rights are serious when winners strut around with giant stuffed prizes. Fairgoers cheer on players showing off their skills while debating the best way to win. The thrill of victory can be found at more than 30 game booths including Hi-Striker, Big Basketball and Whopper.
Around the fairgrounds
While walking through the Fair, the thrills come to you. Keep an eye out for Dragon Knights Stilt Show, an elite performance troupe celebrated worldwide for their gravity-defying acrobatic stilt performances. They are famous for bounding up to 15 feet in the air using specialized pneumatic spring stilts. Fairgoers may also spot Captain Tall Tale, an 8’3″ adventuring performer who even does circus tricks on his stilts.
Fear not, there is also plenty of excitement for little thrill-seekers-in-training.
More magic can be found on stage in the OC Promenade where Frank Thurston astounds guests of all ages with his wizardry and conjuring. He has been an OC Fair fixture for more than 30 years and is known for bringing audience members on stage to be part of the show.
The OC Fair splash fountain is the place where tots find their own kind of drippy thrills as water shoots into the air in unexpected ways to surprise and delight. Families in the know pack towels and a change of clothes.
In the Kidland Carnival, the excitement comes in fun-size versions made just for kids. Kiddie Bumper Boats, Flying Jumbo Elephants and even a mini version of Monster Trucks provide thrills that are just right for smaller fairgoers.
