What’s your favorite food at the OC Fair; soft-serve ice cream cone, turkey leg, funnel cake, or chocolate-covered bacon? Find these, and more, at this year’s fair which runs through August 14. The theme for the 2016 event is “Get Your Fair Face On.” Find t-shirts and other items featuring this theme at the official fair store at the fairgrounds. Opening day, July 15, was a success with thousands arriving to eatfood not found anywhere but at a fair, play games to win prizes, check out the animal exhibits, try the carnival rides, attend the Styx concert and more.
What’s your favorite food at the OC Fair; soft-serve ice cream cone, turkey leg, funnel cake, or chocolate-covered bacon? Find these, and more, at this year’s fair which runs through August 14. The theme for the 2016 event is “Get Your Fair Face On.” Find t-shirts and other items featuring this theme at the official fair store at the fairgrounds. Opening day, July 15, was a success with thousands arriving to eatfood not found anywhere but at a fair, play games to win prizes, check out the animal exhibits, try the carnival rides, attend the Styx concert and more. In the livestock area, kids and adults enjoyed seeing goats, rabbits, cattle, and sheep. A highlight is the always exciting Alaskan Pig Races which were scheduled throughout the day and evening. Crowds cheered the pigs named Strawberry and Bob as they ran to beat other pigs in the high-hurdles. The goat barns in the livestock area were popular. Future Farmers of America (FFA) members had dozens of goats on display in pens. One young man was tending his goat, “We get the goats in late March or early April,” said Mikai Sun, 15, a student from Sunny Hills High School FFA in Fullerton. “It costs $100 to purchase the goat, then we have to feed and care for the animal seven-days-a week at school and during the fair. If we have to miss a day due to illness or vacation, we have to get a friend in the program to care for our animal.” The goats are judged during multiple competitions during the fair, with a Grand Champion being selected. Sun’s goat competed in one of the categories called Market, winning first place in his class. His goat, Rutabaga, is now six months old. “Last year, I raised a rabbit. This year I wanted to raise a bigger animal. The goats sell for around $500; of that, we have to pay back another $200 to the school to cover the cost of feed and other expenses.” The purchaser of each goat determines what happens next; some are used for food, some become pets, while others are sent to a sanctuary to live out their lives. According to Sun, “Some people can’t give up their goats, so they buy them and keep them as pets.” “Goat are fun, they’re silly. I think next year I will raise a rabbit and another goat.” Sun shared that other animals raised by students at the school include chickens, turkeys, lambs, steers, pigs, and calves. In addition to the livestock area, fair-goers visited the commercial vendor barns and a building called OC Promenade with cooking demonstrations, art, and more. Live music was provided in the evening of opening day by a trio called Heavy Mellow. Band members Luis Villagas and Benjamin Woods played guitars, while Mike Bennett played multiple percussion instruments. The group performs what they call heavy metal classics using Flamenco guitars. The midway was packed with people of all ages playing to win prizes, then riding the ferris wheel, big slide, high-swing, and carousel, along with other exciting rides. Many people could be seen carrying gigantic stuffed animals as they negotiated their way through the crowds. An area for children had many of the same rides, just smaller versions. For those wanting to sit and watch something fun, there were motorcycle-with-sidecar races, acrobats and singers on stage, henna painting, and too many other activities to mention. Each night of the fair features a headliner band for music enthusiasts. The OC Fair is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. For information on fair dates, times, concerts, activities, parking, advance ticket sales, special discount days, and more, check out the fair website at ocfair.com/2016 and get your fair face on.
