@mattzavvy

It’s loud. It’s fun. And it’s full of fried foods. It’s the Orange County Fair and it’s back for a summer of wild thrills!

Before the pandemic, this annual summer fair pulled in thousands upon thousands of visitors every summer for wild carnival rides, petting zoos, hypnotists, dance competitions, pig races, and much, MUCH more. And this year, the Orange County Fair is celebrating its reopening with lots of new and exciting features. Get ready for a full breakdown of what you can expect at this year’s Orange County Fair!

July 16 – August 15

Wednesdays – Sundays

Kids: $7 (under 5 is free!), Adults: $12-$14, Seniors: $7

Admission tickets: CLICK HERE

@oc_fair

COVID-19 Safety Measures at the 2021 Orange County Fair

Because the fair is sure to draw huge crowds, certain COVID safety measures will be in place, like mask-wearing for those who are not yet vaccinated. But in our opinion, the safety measures will greatly upgrade the overall fair experience.

The first and most important change is that ALL tickets have to be purchased online. This means you cannot buy your tickets in-person. But hey! One less line to stand in!

There is also a set maximum capacity, which means certain days could sell out. (It also means shorter wait times for rides and games – a huge plus in our book!). Our advice: book your tickets in advance! Historically, Fridays and weekends tend to be the most crowded, so keep that in mind when booking. And remember: the fair is CLOSED on Mondays and Tuesday.

LEARN MORE

@pacificamphitheatre

Musical Performances at the OC Fair’s Hangar & Pacific Amphitheatre

Many folks get so dazzled from the rides and games and vendors that they forget about all of the amazing musical performances happening during the Orange County Fair! The first thing you should know is that there are TWO venues offering killer shows this summer.

• The Hangar is a large tented structure built specifically for the fair’s summer lineup of some of the best tribute bands in the country! Rock out to music from ABBA, Elton John, Pink Floyd, No Doubt, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Led Zeppelin, and Michael Jackson, to name a few.

• The Pacific Amphitheatre, on the other hand, is a more traditional outdoor music venue that is both intimate and exciting! This summer, you can see Colbie Caillat, Natasha Beddingfield, Goo Goo Dolls, The Flaming Lips, and the Pacific Symphony performing music from Toy Story. Entry to the fair is included with the purchase of Pacific Amphitheatre tickets, making for a full day of summer bliss! 

For the full performance schedule, CLICK HERE

To purchase Pacific Amphitheatre tickets, CLICK HERE

@oc_fair

A New Twist to Your Favorite Carnival Games and Rides!  

All of your favorite rides and games are back for this year’s Orange County Fair. We’re talking about the Big Top Swinger, G Force, Titan, and of course, the gigantic ferris wheel that gives you a bird’s eye view of the entire complex and city! However, this summer, admission to rides and games is going contactless!  Download the FunPass App to buy, spend, and recharge your passes. You can share passes between family and friends, so no ticket is wasted!

To purchase ride and game tickets and to download the app, CLICK HERE

For a full list of rides and games, as well as their ticket prices, CLICK HERE

@oc_fair

Things To Do at the Fair (with both feet on the ground)

If you prefer to have both feet on solid ground at the fair, there are copious amounts of performances, shows, and things to see and do all over the complex.

No day at the fair is complete without visiting the Centennial Farm and Petting Zoo. Tour the gorgeous gardens filled with jaw-dropping flowers and produce. Visit a whole menagerie of farm animals – including piglets! In fact, you can view some of the fair’s beloved hogs on the live PIG CAM right now by CLICKING HERE

For a whole host of other demonstrations, performances, lectures, and how-to classes, check out the fair’s daily calendar for a whole slew of fun possibilities by CLICKING HERE

And don’t forget about all of the shopping to be done! (Don’t say we didn’t warn you!). Vendors can be found by CLICKING HERE

@oc_fair

Fun Fried Fare at The Orange County Fair

The food and snacks you can find at the Orange County Fair is a whole event in and of itself! There are literal blocks of kiosks, stands, grills, barbecues, and deep fryers sizzling into the summer air. Trust us, you don’t want to miss these unique and divinely delicious food options!

In addition to the traditional turkey legs, charbroiled corn-on-the-cob, and deep-friend oreos we all know and love, this year, some new favorites will be unveiled. We have our eye on deep-fried hot dog bites from the famous Pink’s Hot Dogs as well as chicken fried funnel cakes. And what about Hot Cheeto -n- Cheese Pickles (fresh-brined, extra-thick crinkle-cut dill pickle chips topped with melted cheddar cheese and crunchy flaming hot Cheetos!).

If you’re like us and have decision paralysis, consider attending $3 Thursdays, where you can sample food and treats for $3 each from 10am-4:00pm. There’s even a wine tasting courtyard that will be serving some of the most exciting bottles of wine from out of California. 

For the full list of food options, CLICK HERE

And with so much to do at this year’s Orange County Fair, we recommend you book yourself a vacation home so you can enjoy it all like a local! These homes are centrally located, fully-stocked, and squeaky clean, so you can focus on fun!

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