Press Release

10 ways to beat the heat at the 2017 OC Fair


It’s hot out there, but don’t sweat it – we’ve got you covered with a list of cool spots, tips and treats so you can beat the heat without missing a moment of Farm Fresh Fun at this year’s OC Fair.

1. COOL OFF IN THE MAIN MALL WATER FOUNTAIN

Spritzing from the center of the Main Mall courtyard is a gigantic water fountain for children to splash and play. Insider’s tip: bring your kiddos a change of clothes!

2. ROCK ON AT BAJA BLUES & THE HANGAR

Baja Blues Bar & Restaurant offers free entertainment plus food and drink inside, as well as shaded seating on the patio. Baja Blues is located in between Action Sports Arena and The Hangar.

The Hangar offers nightly live music in its cool, enclosed locale. Although open on one end, The Hangar is a large building with an extensive floor area, providing a shady hang out to cool off and groove to the music of the many featured artists at this year’s OC Fair. On Aug. 12 and 13, stop by the Hangar anytime during the day for the iBUYPOWER GameFest, featuring Oculus Rift demos, free-to-play games and more.

3. RIDE LA GRANDE WHEEL XL

Go for a whirl on La Grande Wheel XL. On this gigantic Ferris wheel you can sit back, relax and admire the spectacular, bird’s eye view overlooking the Fairgrounds and the surrounding Costa Mesa area from a comfy, air-conditioned cabin.

4. BROWSE GARDEN & FLORAL EXHIBITS

Stop and smell the roses, lilies, carnations, chrysanthemums, and an overabundance of other delectable flower collections on display for the Cut Flower & Floral Arrangement Competitions, or stroll over to the Indoor & Outdoor Plant Competition where gardeners will be gathered showcasing their vibrant fresh-cut blooms and battling for the title of the greenest thumb.

Both exhibits with be held in Gallery 15, an air-conditioned area located in between Centennial Farm and Plaza Pacifica, adjacent to Crafters Village.

5. MARVEL AT VISUAL ARTS & WOODWORKING EXHIBITS

Scurry over to the Main Mall where artists and crafters will gather daily to showcase and demonstrate their unique crafting talents. Here’s what’s cookin’:

Friendzy: A Frenzy of Art by Friends – An exciting display of a range of unique artistic styles and media presented by artist Sean Chao and his talented friends, Jared Schorr, Ming Ong, Michelle Romo, Joey Chou, Kris Kehasukjaren and Naoshi.

Garden Variety: A Collaborative Paper Garden – Add your own unique paper flora to the collaborative paper garden at Garden Variety exhibit led by artist Kiel Johnson.

Refined: The Art of Carving – Investigate the striking detailed carvings designed by talented father-daughter team Nairi and Larisa Safaryan. Each figure is worked with a unique balance of various materials of wood and egg shells.

6. PLAY AT EXPLORIUM: DESTINATION KIDS

The Explorium is a shaded building on the west side of The Hangar, at the end of Main Mall. This locale provides a wide variety of activities and play zones for kids, including Pitchburst, a seated water balloon game. Also in the Explorium will be free family comedy and magic shows every day. Showtimes are at 2, 4 and 7:30 p.m.

7. GO ON THE WATER RIDES

The little ones will love Pelican Splash in Kid Land and bigger thrill-seekers can splash down in Wild Rivers.

8. MILK IT!

Step into shady Millennium Barn for the daily milking demonstrations and then you can try your hand at it on Maxine the replica cow.

9. VISIT HEROES HALL

Take a breather and investigate the commendable exhibitions now on display at Heroes Hall: “The Things They Carried” and “The SAAAB Story.” Heroes Hall is a year-round museum celebrating the legacy of Orange County veterans and others who have served our nation. It opened in February of this year, and it’s air conditioned!

10. GRAB SOMETHING COOL TO EAT OR DRINK

How about a cooled down pick-me-up? Here’s a sneak peek at some of the ice-cold drinks and frozen treats available at this year’s OC Fair:

100% Pure Coconut Water, Aguas Frescas and bottled water arranged in an orderly row of large grab-n-go style coolers at The Coco Shack.
Get a taste of the tropical paradise with one of Noel’s authentic Aguas Fresca’s – made with watermelon, pineapple, mango or strawberry, sugar and lime blended with ice – at Noel’s Mexican Food.
Wander your way over to Terri’s Berries for a dollop of fresh berries and other fruits served in of a cup, bowl, or blended into a smoothie. Or for an extra dip of sweetness, opt for one of Terri’s fresh chocolate covered strawberries.
Get a scoop of Italian sweetness at Fabe’s Churros & Gelato, serving freshly made Gelato Italian ice cream and Churro Gelato sandwiches.
Still searching for your frozen fix? Tip toe over to the bright blue Ice Cream stand in Main Mall, facing The Hangar. They serve ice cream as cool as their retro, drive-in appeal, including a signature Cow Pie – a waffle wafer topped with ice cream, a chocolate shell and your choice of sprinkles or nuts.
Thinking about that ice cold beer? Mad Dog Dugan’s Saloon has just the thing, sporting a large, bold-lettered sign to prove it.
Also keep an eye out for: Carmelot’s, shaved ice and ice cream; Mini Donuts, mini donut ice cream sundaes, ice cream cones, frozen bananas; Olde Tyme Ice Cream Bars, ice cream bars freshly dipped in chocolate and decorated with M&M’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s or Oreo toppings; and much more!

BONUS: MISTING STATIONS!

There are a couple of misting stations on grounds. The light mist of cool water is sure to take the heat down by a couple of notches. Find them in Main Mall, Fair Square and Family Fairway.