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In 1890, just one year after Orange County was created, a small county fair rose in Santa Ana that included a few exhibits and a horse race. This year, the Orange County Fair makes it eagerly awaited appearance from mid-July to mid-August at the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. If you want to get the most out of this annual celebration, which starts this Friday, follow these tips.

Getting There

The most convenient way of getting there is a private car, which often requires sitting in traffic as you head toward the entrance and then, once you get there, looking for parking forever. If you want to spend most of the day at the fairgrounds instead of in your car, head for free off-site parking on Saturdays and Sundays only.

It’s located at the Experian parking structure off the Bristol Street off-ramp of the 405. Just follow the signs. You can then take the free shuttle that operates on weekends only from 10 AM to 1 AM. You’ll get conveniently dropped off at one of the entry gates so you can get started with a fun right away.

Admission

There are different prices for adults, seniors who are 60+, and youth from 6 to 12. However, even if you’re at the fair all day, you’re not going to be able to see everything. So why not spring for a Super Pass that lets you in to the festivities for all 23 days and allows you to skip the long lines with express entry?

Your pass also grants you two-for-one discounts to the Pacific Amphitheater, The Hangar, and Sports Arena. You also get 20 percent off fair apparel, a Carnival value book, a souvenir pin, and free admission to the Orange County Marketplace (swap meet) until December 26.

Food and Drink

One of the great joys of a visit to the fair is the variety of edibles that you can indulge in, so leave your diet at home. Fried food lovers will enjoy the deep-fried pizza logs, deep-fried kosher dill pickle with peanut butter, deep-fried Snickers, deep-fried Twinkies, deep-fried coffee, and deep-fried White Castle burger. For non-fryer treats, try the bacon-wrapped turkey leg, lobster balls on a stick, and the fireball caramel banana.

If you happen to be a whiz in the kitchen, enter any one of the contests in culinary arts such as for cakes, cookies, preserved food, pies, and sugar arts. You can even express your creativity with luncheon meat in the Great American Spam Championship, which requires registration by July 28 for the July 30th judging. Your masterpiece must have one 12-ounce can of Spam. If you win, you’ll advance to the national competition and its cash prizes.

On a hot day, nothing can be more refreshing than a craft beer. Discover more than 80 such varieties from breweries around the country at the Brew Hee Haw Craft Roundup next to the Pacific Amphitheatre, which tickles your taste buds on opening weekend. Buying a ticket to this event allows general admission to the fair as well as unlimited 2-ounce tastings during the time you select.

Fun

Be a literal part of the big picture with the “Show Us Your Fair Face” multimedia presentation at The Hangar around 8:30 PM every night. You can submit a photo of you having fun from the fair, through Facebook, or at #ocfairface to see yourself as part of the video showing on a giant 40-foot screen.

For some international fun, head for the Heritage Stage, where the Peking Acrobats tumble and balance through intricate maneuvers during multiple shows on weekends and most weeknights.

For more information about what’s fun to do around OC real estate, or if you want to check out our developments in person, please contact us.