OC Fair Opens Friday, Food, Fun And Favorites

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — On Friday, Orange County Fair is back in the swing of things for a 23-day run.

The fair runs July 16-Aug. 15, and with limited daily capacity, tickets could sell out. Advance admission purchase is required; visit ocfair.com or download the OC Fair 2021 mobile app.

“Bringing back the OC Fair to our community means our staff can do what we love to do and what we do best – make people happy!” said Michele Richards, OC Fair & Event Center CEO. “This year’s fair theme is ‘Time for Fun,’ and it could not be more fitting.”

There is lots of fun planned for every day with activities ranging from experiencing the animals in the petting zoo to checking out exhibits and enjoying local groups performing on community stages.

New rides will debut at this year’s Fair with Windsurf, Moonraker and New York New York in the main carnival midway. Winky the Whale and Liberty Wheel will be new attractions in the kids' carnival. There will be more than 35 games, giving fairgoers many ways to win giant stuffed animals and other prizes.

A new show, Piano Madness, featuring dueling piano players, will perform nightly in Plaza Pacifica. More evening music will be coming from the shows in The Hangar and fairgoers can enjoy the party in the Main Mall.

For the kids and families, Explorium moves into OC Promenade this year with special activities designed to help little ones adventure into the great outdoors and California’s National Parks. The Magic of Frank Thurston will entertain there each day.

At Centennial Farm, fairgoers can learn from OC Beekeepers, UCCE OC Master Gardeners, California Rare Fruit Growers and more. There are also milking demonstrations and produce and floral exhibits, and the farm’s resident animals and crops.

In the livestock area, there are more animals to teach and entertain. Displays and demonstrations include Oasis Camel Dairy, Friesian horses, game birds, sheep, goats, llamas and urban livestock.

Let's talk about FOOD.

At the OC Fair, you can always expect the fried, fried and fried with a dash of OMG that is beyond delicious.

Have you considered a Hot Cheeto 'n' Cheese Burger at Biggys?

Or how about a Waffle Cone stuffed with buffalo chicken and mac and cheese?

Looking for something equally delicious and a tad less adventurous? Try the Taco de Tripa or Taco De Lengua at Pepe's Mariscos fresh Mexican Seafood.

Taste the Yum Yum Watermelon taco with Tajin and Cowboy Kettle Corn.

How about some Buffalo Brownies with ice cream at Chicken Charlies.

Top it all off with a Banana Cream Funnel Cake at Dutchmen's for dessert.

The OC Fair has added more shaded tables and seating areas for dining and has increased sanitization procedures to help keep everyone safe.

Visitors must purchase tickets in advance with no fees on ocfair.com. Fairgoers should make sure to get tickets for special days and group adventures now, since limited daily capacity days could sell out.

Key things to know about the 2021 OC Fair:·

• A limited number of tickets are available each day.
• Advance online ticket sales only – no transaction fees
• Tickets are good only for the date purchased; please choose dates carefully – no refunds.
• Same-day Fair admission is included with tickets to concerts during the Fair· OC Fair is not currently planning to increase capacity·
• Ticket prices will not increase· Sales are no longer restricted to California residents·
• Masks are required indoors for unvaccinated guests

Tickets are $ 12-weekday general admission (Wednesday, Thursday) and $ 14-weekend general admission (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Admission for seniors (60+) and youth (ages 6-12) is $7 every day and children 5 and younger are free.

The 2021 OC Fair mobile app is now available with information on daily activities and a map, news & information and tickets. Search for “fair 2021” in your app store.

The Fair will open each day at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and midnight on weekends.

General parking is still $10, $20 for buses and limos, credit card only.

The free shuttle from Experian and OCTA’s OC Fair Express bus service will not be available this year. Carnival tickets are also on sale now so that fairgoers can skip the ticket booths, and tickets for concerts in The Hangar and Pacific Amphitheatre can be found at www.ocfair.com/entertainment