Hidden gems: What’s inside those Fair buildings?
COSTA MESA (July 17, 2019) – OC Fairgoers know they can expect exciting rides, outrageous food, great entertainment and lots of animals – but what’s inside those buildings?
Here’s a look inside the top 10 OC Fair hidden gems:
Crafts and Woodworking: Every year fairgoers are surprised by the range of talent on display here. From musical instruments handmade out of wood to visually stunning quilts to jewelry made by veterans at the Long Beach Veterans Hospital, guests have plenty to see and do.
OC Promenade Culinary Arts: The Culinary Playground provides a space for fairgoers to learn about sustainability in the kitchen while chef demos give home cooks tips on sushi, charcuterie and even margaritas.
Visual Arts: A feast for the eyes! This building offers a wide array of exhibits and how-tos on everything from watercolors, woodcarving, Photoshop and more. The 2019 OC Fair featured artist, Narsiso Martinez, has a prominent spot highlighting his collages that shine a light on farmworkers, their work and their conditions.
Carnival of Products, Parade of Products and Festival of Products: The ultimate place to shop on the fairgrounds, there are a variety of vendors selling unique products from spas to hammocks to healthy products and culinary equipment.
Gallery 15: Competition entries of fresh-cut flowers and container plants are featured, but don’t miss the unique and amazing collections found here, including everything from ceramic eggs, Betty Boop memorabilia, suits of armor, tribal masks and more.
The Courtyard: This is the place to get your wine fix. Thanks to the Orange County Wine Society, fairgoers can sample wines that won awards from the 2019 OC Fair Wine Competition. Each weekend, there are also themed wine seminars which offer each paid participant eight 1-ounce tastings, a commemorative OC Fair wine glass and assorted nibbles.
Muddy’s Studio: Watch professionals with their pottery wheels make clay and ceramic pots, vases and more right in front of you. Stop by for foot-throwing Fridays at 6 p.m.
Explorium: This is the place to take your kids to get them out of the sun and into fun! Children can interact with the Rainforest Experience and view bugs, butterflies and reptiles. There are also crafts, a water-balloon game, nightly eating contests and the always popular magic of Frank Thurston.
Baja Blues: Come for the food, drinks, beer, patio seating and people-watching, but stay for the live music, which includes Phil Shane, Straight 78, TTT Brand and more.
Silo Gallery: The best floral arrangements from 2019 OC Fair competitions are featured here, along with the UCCE Master Gardeners, plus everything you’d ever want to know about bees. Bonus: This is a great place to beat the heat!
Bonus: New to the 2019 OC Fair are four agricultural-themed lounges spread throughout the fairgrounds where fairgoers can sit, relax and learn more about these California commodities: avocados, strawberries, oranges and beef. The lounges also feature recycled OC Fair banners re-purposed into cushions along with re-purposed palettes made into sofas, chairs, tables and stools.