Find Summer Bliss at the OC Fair
Ten Pound Bun owner Schuyler MacPherson brings his tantalizing toasts to all of Southern California’s county fairs, but prefers The OC Fair. Photo credit/The Vine
As the day begins to heat up at the OC Fairgrounds, Schuyler MacPherson gets to work. As the owner of the OC Fair’s Ten Pound Bun, one of the many of food stands along the OC Fair’s main concourse, MacPherson will soon have plenty of customers to serve.
“We go to all the Southern California county fairs,” says MacPherson between customers. “San Diego, LA, and OC. But the people at the OC Fair are the nicest.”
The OC Fair is a summertime staple in Orange County, and not only for its superior clientele. Irvinites can take in the timeless charm of a local county fair for only one more week. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s OC Fair before you go.
Get Your Tickets in Advance
The OC Fair no longer sells tickets on site. Purchase admission tickets online. Photo credit/The Vine
New since the pandemic pause of 2020, the OC Fair now requires advanced tickets purchases. They are easily procured online. The OC Fair now limits its capacity for 45,000 visitors per day.
Go Early and/or Go Late
A view of the fair from the Sky Ride taken at noon on a Friday when attendance is still sparse. Photo credit Julia Ball
The OC Fair opens at 11 am, but its ride lines and crowds are pleasantly sparse for the first couple of hours, especially on a weekday or a Sunday. If you want to avoid long lines, parking lot perils, and mid-day heat, get to the OC Fair when it opens. Ride some rides, check out some chatty sheep, eat a memorable lunch, and take off when you’re too hot and tired to continue.
The OC Fair closes at 11 pm, so alternatively, one can wait until the late afternoon/early evening to arrive. The parking lot will be busy, but cool evening breezes will push off the heat of the day as the sun begins to set. Ride those rides, meet those chatty sheep, and eat a fair dinner to remember.
Another option for the die-hard fair fan is to go in the morning, get hand-stamped upon exiting, and come back for round two of fair fun in the evening.
Fair Food Knows no Bounds
The $14 S’moreo Donut from Texas Donuts can feed a small family (or one ravenous teenager). Photo credit/The Vine
OC Fair food continues to astound. New additions to this year’s roster include a Kool-Aid Chicken Sandwich from Chicken Charlies and a Lemon-Lime Float topped with crushed Hot Cheetos from Biggie’s. Bacon-wrapped, deep-fried, and Hot Cheetos dusted items of all variety are available for the adventurous diner.
Of course, fair classics like corndogs and funnel cakes are still available all over the fairgrounds.
Prices are Sky High, but There are Ways to Save
OC Fair food prices are stratospheric, but with some planning you can keep to your fair food budget.
Bring water — sealed water bottles are allowed inside the OC Fair.
Ask for a cup of water instead of buying an exorbitantly priced bottle. Your thimble-sized cup of water may need to be refilled, but it will be free of charge.
Try the discounted menu items from the $4 Taste of the Fair, where each vendor offers a smaller serving of a menu item for $4 dollars each Thursday.
Ask how much something is before ordering! A friend ordered a cup of beer and was astonished when charged $16.
There are Other Ways to Save
The OC Fair has kiosks to sell visitors anything they might forget to bring, but it will cost them. Photo credit/The Vine
Remember a hat and sunscreen for day trips. Remember a sweatshirt or jacket for evenings. The OC Fair’s merch stall can provide for anyone’s needs, but at a price.
Children can earn two kiddie ride tickets by reading three books and filling out an online form
Don’t Forget Your Friends!
This baby donkey is one of the many delightful animals waiting to meet you at the Livestock section of the OC Fair. Photo credit/The Vine
There is a certain charm to remembering Orange County’s agricultural past. For some, agricultural life is still very much in the present. Meet award-winning sheep, goats, donkeys and other four-legged friends, along with their owners.
If You’re Going to Go, Go Now
The clock is ticking. As summer days dwindle, now is the time to look at your summer bucket list. What are you planning to do with your few remaining summer days and nights?
No summer is complete without a trip to the OC Fair. If you get a chance, say hello to MacPherson from Ten Pound Bun to remind him why the OC Fair’s visitors are the nicest.
The OC Fair runs runs through August 14th. Get more information online.