The OC Fair, aka the Orange County Fair is a HUGE 23 day event held from 12 July to 11 August 2013 in California, USA.
Costa Mesa city is the setting for this annual month long festival in the “City of the Arts”. First held way back in 1890, it was a completely different affair and centered around a traditional livestock fair. There were a few shows, alongside a horse race and various livestock breeds on display. Today the OC Fair fuses carnival, action sports, shopping and a huge array of interesting exhibits. The fair runs from Wednesdays to Sundays each week (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
OC Fair History and Heritage
The original Orange County Fair moved around several times before settling into its current Costa Mesa location. In kicked off in 1890 in Santa Ana and moved to Huntington Beach after World War I. It was then also held in Anaheim, then moved to its permanent current site at the former Santa Ana Army Base. Since 1953 the fair has fallen within the Costa Mesa boundary and now cover some 150 acres.
The summer fair initially ran for just a few days each year with just livestock shows and horse races on offer. Around 1900 the fair stepped up a gear to include carnival rides and attractions. And in 1925 a rodeo and bigger carnival arena were added. And from the five day event in 1949, the fair has now become a 23 day cultural institution in both California and across the United States. In fact, last year over 1.3 million visitors attended the fair over the course of the month.
2013 Orange County Fair
This year’s OC Fair has a packed schedule of daily entertainment kicking off on Friday 12 July. The Pacific Amphitheatre has a series of summer concerts from rock, country and pop acts. The B-52s, Counting Crows, ZZ Top and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts will all perform. The Hangar with its huge 50 foot arched ceiling will host a series of pop and rock tribute bands. On stage will be David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac and Queen sound and lookalikes.
There is also live action entertainment scheduled for 2013 with thrilling demolition derbies, high speed motorcycle speedway, extreme rodeo, extreme bull riding and BMX demonstrations.
The Carnival is open until midnight each night from Wednesday to Sunday and mega pass tickets cost 100 USD each!
Exhibits this year include freakish insects in ‘Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders’ which is said to resemble a traditional circus sideshow. The Family Fun Zone has a giant maze as well as the annual Eating Contest. There is also a camel dairy exhibit where visitors can try camel milk for themselves. Yum!
