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Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Orange County Fair

The 125th Orange County Fair opens this Friday

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2015 OC Fair Logo

The OC Fair Opens With “One Big Party” Starting This Friday

Featuring 23 Days of Food, Music, Fun and All Things Fair July 17-August 16

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 13, 2015) – The 2015 OC Fair’s 125th Celebration starts this Friday (July 17) and will continue through Sunday, August 16 (Wednesday-Sunday) with the theme One Big Party. The 23-day event will feature food, music, carnival rides, exhibits and family fun. Visit ocfair.com for the full list of events.

The celebration starts out with a bang with a full hour of free admission and parking for the first Fairgoers to join the party on Friday, July 17 from Noon-1 p.m. as part of the Free Opening Hour promotion. The Fair is open Fridays from Noon-Midnight and features every Friday: Continue reading→

OCTA Fair Express continues to set ridership records

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OCTA Fair Express

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 19, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

OC Fair Express Continues to Set Ridership Records

More than 76,000 fairgoers hopped aboard OCTA’s special bus service this year

ORANGE – This summer, more than 76,000 people made their way to the Orange County Fair via the OC Fair Express, which set a ridership record for the second year in a row.

The special bus service offered by the Orange County Transportation Authority reported 76,952 total boardings during the five-week fair season. This year’s numbers are a 31 percent increase compared to last year’s total ridership of 58,706. Continue reading→

2014 OC Fair’s closing week features the return of the Budweiser Clydesdales

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Budweiser Clydesdales

2014 OC Fair’s Closing Week Features Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Brand New Wild Turkey Stampede, Return of the Budweiser Clydesdales and 5 Nights of Demolition Derby August 6-10

The OC Fair will salute Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, Irvine, La Habra, Lake Forest, Tustin, Villa Park and Yorba Linda on select days August 6-8 with a community flag salute and admission discount

Costa Mesa, Calif. (August 4, 2014) – The 2014 OC Fair (July 11-August 10) continues into its last week of summer fun and festivities featuring world-class entertainment in the Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre and hit tribute band concerts in The Hangar. The OC Fair also welcomes the new Wild Turkey Stampede event and the return of the Budweiser Clydesdales exhibit and parade. Both events are held daily for the rest of the 2014 Fair and are free with Fair admission. The Fair is closed Monday and Tuesday.

Here is a quick look of the events going on this week (August 6-10) at the 2014 OC Fair: Continue reading→

2014 OC Fair’s 3rd week features Lifehouse, KIDZ BOP, OC Fair 5k Fun Run & a Celebrity Chef

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2014 OC Fair

2014 OC Fair’s Third Week Features Lifehouse, KIDZ BOP, OC Fair 5k Fun Run & Celebrity Chef Kelsey Nixon Plus Free Activities and Family Fun July 30-August 3

Plus, the OC Fair will salute Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley and Newport Beach on July 30 and Garden Grove, Westminster and Stanton on July 31 with a community flag salute and ticket discount

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 28, 2014) – The 2014 OC Fair (July 11-August 10) continues onto its third week of summer fun and festivities featuring world-class entertainment in the Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre and hit tribute bands in The Hangar. The OC Fair also welcomes the Oasis Camel Dairy with daily demonstrations and all-day exhibit that’s free with Fair admission. The Fair is closed Monday and Tuesday.

Here is a quick look of the events going on this week (July 30- August 3) at the 2014 OC Fair: Continue reading→

Grantburgers’ New Chile Relleno Pretzel Burger ranked top OC Fair food item

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Grantburgers’ New Chile Relleno Pretzel Burger

Grantburgers’ New Chile Relleno Pretzel Burger Ranked Top OC Fair Food Item for 2014

Best of OC Fair Food Named During Concessionaire’s Cup

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 25, 2014) – Amid all things fried or on a stick, it was a spicy, loaded burger that won the Best of the Best award in the 2014 OC Fair Concessionaires’ Cup Contest. Grantburgers’ new Chile Relleno Pretzel Burger made it through four rounds of judging to be the top food item in the annual contest held July 18.

The 70 entries submitted by Fair food vendors were first judged on a set standard for Gold, Silver and Bronze rankings. All Gold-ranked items were then judged on creativity and originality for the Special Rosette round and these items were further judged based on value for menu price in the value round. Judges included The Bikini Chef Susan Irby, Foodie-A-GoGo Blogger Rich Manning, Chef Lindsey Smith Rosales of Laguna Beach’s Nirvana Grille and Master Food Preserver and OC Fair demonstrator Ernest Miller. Continue reading→

The OC Fair 2014 welcomes celebrity chefs Carla Hall, Roy Choi and Kelsey Nixon

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2014 OC Fair

The OC Fair 2014 Welcomes Celebrity Chefs Carla Hall, Roy Choi and Kelsey Nixon Demonstrations & autograph signings are free with OC Fair admission

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 16, 2014) – The 2014 OC Fair announces cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs Carla Hall (July 17), Roy Choi (July 24) and Kelsey Nixon (July 31) in The Hangar. Demonstrations are free with Fair admission and will be followed by autograph signing sessions.

Carla Hall is chef and owner of Carla Hall Petite Cookies, co-hosts ABC’s “The Chew” and appeared on “Top Chef.” Watch Carla’s French and Southern cooking style live at the OC Fair on Thursday, July 17 at 4 p.m. Continue reading→

Entertainment schedule for the 2014 OC Fair’s first full week, from July 16-20

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2014 OC Fair

2014 OC Fair First Full Week Features Performances by Karmin, Monster X Tour and Bad Religion Plus Free Activities and Family Fun July 16-20

Plus the OC Fair will salute Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente on select days July 16-18 with a community flag salute and discounts.

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 14, 2014) – The 2014 OC Fair (July 11-August 10) continues onto its first full week of summer fun featuring world-class entertainment, deep-fried munchies, Texas-sized donuts, daily exhibits and thrilling rides and games. The Fair is closed Monday and Tuesday.

Here is a quick look of the events going on this week (July 16-20) at the 2014 OC Fair: Continue reading→

The OC Fair Express kicks off July 11 from eight locations

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2014 OC Fair Express

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 8, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik, (714) 560-5713; Eric Carpenter, (714) 560-5697

OC Fair Express Kicks off July 11 From Eight Locations

New mobile app allows riders to buy tickets in advance, $2 each way and $3 fair admission

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is bringing back the OC Fair Express bus service with locations across the county for just $2 each way, allowing riders to save time and money.

The OC Fair Express will provide non-stop weekend bus service from eight locations to the OC Fair from July 11 to Aug. 10. Buses will run hourly between noon and midnight on Fridays and 9:30 a.m. and midnight on Saturdays and Sundays. Continue reading→

Summer officially starts at the 2014 OC Fair this Friday

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2014 OC Fair

Summer Officially Starts at the 2014 OC Fair This Friday

OC Fair Offers 23 Days of Fun, Food & All Things Fair

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 7, 2014) – The 2014 OC Fair starts Friday (July 11) and will run until Sunday, August 10 (Wednesday-Sunday) with food, carnival rides, exhibits and activities for all. Visit ocfair.com for the full list of events.

During the first hour of the 2014 Fair, Fairgoers can take advantage of free admission and parking during Free Opening Hour (Friday, July 11, Noon-1 p.m.) The Fair is open July 11 from Noon-Midnight and features the following promotions opening day and each Friday: Continue reading→

The 2014 OC Fair offers Summer of Savings from July 11through August 10

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2014 OC Fair

2014 OC Fair Offers Summer of Savings July 11-August 10

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 2, 2014) – Summer Starts Here at the 2014 OC Fair from July 11-August 10, offering Fairgoers discounts and deals for a summer of fun that’s wallet-friendly.

Savings at the Gates

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 2, 2014) – Summer Starts Here at the 2014 OC Fair from July 11-August 10, offering Fairgoers discounts and deals for a summer of fun that’s wallet-friendly.

Savings at the Gates: Continue reading→

See what’s cooking at the 2014 OC Fair!

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Cherry Pop Rocks Donut from Texas Donuts

Cherry Pop Rocks Donut from Texas Donuts

See What’s Cooking at the 2014 OC Fair

Featuring 23 Days of Iconic Fair food, Celebrity Chefs, Craft Beer & Culinary Competitions and Exhibits

Costa Mesa, Calif. (June 19, 2014) – The 2014 OC Fair is cooking up a delicious summer for Fairgoers. From July 11 to August 10, 2014, the OC Fair is serving summer fun, along with culinary events and new Fair food that are definitely worth the trip. See what’s cooking at this year’s Fair:

  • Chicken Charlie is introducing the new-for-2014 Deep-Fried Doritos and Deep-Fried Chicken Skin in addition to his classic favorite fried treats of Oreos, cookie dough and Twinkies.
  • Bacon A-Fair is introducing Bacon-Wrapped Jack Daniels, a unique churro concoction with a little whiskey kick at the end (non-alcoholic of course). Also, a deep-fried bacon-wrapped turkey leg!

Continue reading→

2014 OC Fair Summer Concert schedule announced

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2014 OC Fair

Full Concert Schedule for the Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre at the 2014 OC Fair Announced

Featuring 23 nights of performances by The Go-Go’s, Bad Religion, Little Big Town,
Deep Purple, Rebelution and more

Costa Mesa, Calif. (June 2014) – The Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre at the 2014 OC Fair will feature 23 nights of concerts performed by world renowned artists and musicians. Ranging from the unique genres of reggae, pop, classic rock and country, it is a one-of-a-kind concert series that will get you into the summer groove. The series opens with The Offspring / Adolescents on July 11 and will continue through August 10. Pacific Amphitheatre concert tickets are affordable with prices starting at $15 and, as always, include free OC Fair admission.

Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre at the 2014 OC Fair: Continue reading→

Get to the OC Fair via the OC Fair Express for $2 starting on July 11

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2014 OC Fair Express

The Orange County Fair is on July 11, 2014 through August 10, 2014 and the best way to get there is on the OC Fair Express! The OC Fair Express provides direct bus service to and from the fair from eight convenient locations for just $2.00 each way, or just swipe your valid OCTA bus pass. You can catch the OC Fair Express any Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the fair starting July 11, 2014.

All OC Fair Express customers also receive a coupon good for $3 Fair Admission—that’s up to $9 off. So skip traffic and save on parking and admission with the OC Fair Express!

Make your life easy, ride the OC Fair Express, and purchase your passes through our new mobile app. Our new mobile app will also show you all the OC Fair Express routes, where to catch the OC Fair Express and all the schedules. It’s free and you can download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play beginning July 1! Continue reading→

100,000 deep-fried Oreos later, the 2013 OC Fair netted 1,374,579 Fair-goers

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OC Fair Logo

Media/Press Contact: Robin Wachner, Communications Department (714) 708-1543.

100,000 Deep-Fried Oreos Later, The OC Fair Closes 2013 Season With Second Highest Attendance Ever

Costa Mesa, Calif. (August 12, 2013) – After the last pickle was wrapped in bacon, corn dog deep-fried, piglet petted, carnival plush won and concertgoer rocked, 1,374,579 Fair-goers had heeded the OC Fair’s invitation to “Come & Get It” in 2013.

For the 2013 season, which ran from July 12-August 11, the OC Fair saw its second highest attendance. Plus the Pacific Amphitheatre saw its top-grossing summer concert series which included 11 sold-out concerts. Here are more fun facts about the 2013 OC Fair: Continue reading→