By Brooklynn Wong
A glittering ferris wheel towers above the fair.
As a relative newcomer to Orange County, and a first time attendee of the OC Fair, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I ventured out on the fair’s last weekend. Sprawling and super-urban Orange County, trying to pull off a county fair? But what I found was rather delightful. Here are some of my favorite photos from the evening, and some takeaways:
-Eat a funnel cake: Even though my husband and I were already quite sated from our footlong smoked sausage (mine) and chicken kebab (his—both excellent), we couldn’t leave the fair without having partaken of that old fair favorite. While not cheap, the experience was worth it. It was the perfect treat to end the night on. And if you’re really feeling indulgent? Try it topped with strawberries and ice cream.
-Go to Heroes Hall: I had read a lot about the center on the fairgrounds dedicated to honoring Orange County veterans, and I was excited to see that it was open for walk-throughs during the fair. While humble and small, it is a moving tribute, with monuments listing Orange County’s fallen from America’s various wars outside, and inside, an opportunity to view “Bravemind,” the USC Institute for Creative Technologies-created virtual reality experience designed to help veterans suffering from PTSD. Also inside were battle-used gear, fun vintage war posters and an exhibit all about the history of the Santa Ana Army Air Base.
The exterior of Heroes Hall.
Vintage war bond posters inside Heroes Hall.
-See the animals: What’s a fair without farm animals? All the usual suspects were there—including a friendly donkey, a stunning Friesian horse, goats, sheep, obscure species of fowl and a litter of piglets born less than a month ago—but more exotic creatures were there too, including a mother camel and her calf, an alligator and a python.
Angora goats.
A litter of piglets born last month and their mother were a crowd favorite.
-Skip the pig races: The pig races were the most crowded and noisy part of the fair that I saw. If you’re into that, I’m sure it makes for a good time. But while the rowdy crowds gather for that, take advantage of the opportunity to keep exploring before they pour back in.
-You don’t need the rides to have a satisfactory fair experience: The rides were mostly kid-oriented and didn’t look terribly intriguing. While it was fun to have their flashing lights and neon to contribute to the environment, I didn’t ride any of the rides, and didn’t feel like my fair experience was lacking in the slightest.
-Go after dark: The temperature was very pleasant after the sun had gone down. Going during the day would not be for the faint of heart. Hydration and sunscreen would need to be taken very very seriously, though the fair does provide plenty of cooling stations.
-Stay home opening and closing weekend: Though it comes with the territory, the crowds were a bit difficult to deal with. Walking around was a lot of stop-and-go and tricky navigating. I would guess the crowds would be less of a factor in the middle of the month.
And just like that, the 2018 OC Fair has come and gone. Enjoy these snapshots, enjoy the rest of the events that will be held throughout the year at the fairgrounds, and start your countdown for next summer’s festivities.
The 2018 OC Fair.
Fireworks shoot into the night sky at the fair.
