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Hear Ye, Hear Ye! The OC Fair is Coming!

HEAR YE, HEAR YE! 

THE OC FAIR IS COMING

JULY 11 – AUGUST 10, 2014

OC Fair

That’s how I felt when I recently attended The OC Fair’s community open house on June 25 in Costa Mesa. The purpose of the open house was to provide the residents of Costa Mesa with a sneak peek into the upcoming happenings of the 2014 OC Fair and give them an update on recent construction. 2014 marks the 124th presentation of the OC Fair! In anticipation of this year’s fair, the event staff has many exciting changes and promotions up their sleeve.

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Rides & Games On Wednesdays and Thursdays, get an Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristband for $30.00 plus 2 FREE games.

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Read 2 books and get 3 FREE carnival rides (ages 5-11).  Download a book report form the fair’s website and submit it to the Information Booth at Centennial Farm for FREE ride tickets.

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Food & Beverage

On July 16, from Noon – 3 pm, as a part of We Care Wednesdays, donate 5 cans of food and get FREE admission.

$2 Taste of Fair Food is every Friday, from Noon – 4 pm.

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Educational Exhibits

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Specific exhibits this year include the Culinary Arts, Explorium: Destinations Kids, Hand Crafts & Hobbies, Garden & Floral, Livestock, OC Connection, Visual Arts, and the Wine and Homebrew Competitions.

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As you travel between exhibits, encourage your children to ask questions, watch a demo, try new food, etc.

To expand upon what your children learn at the fair, there are several great websites available.  Pick a topic and dive right in!

Kids Discover

Fun Brain

Read I PBS Kids

Enchanted Learning

The Learning Center for Kids (Agricultural and the Environment)

USDA for Kids

Centennial Farm

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2014 Centennial Farm’s exhibitors include the California Organic Gardening Club, OC Beekeepers, and Heifer International.

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In addition to all the classic fair events, The OC Event Center has been hard at work remodeling and updating The Pacific Amphitheater.

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The amphitheater’s summer concert schedule will feature such acts as The Fresh Beat Band, Comedian Jeff Foxworthy and The Go-Go’s.  There is something for everybody.

Did you know that over 70,000 – 80,000 people visit the fair every year? 

To help with traffic, The OC Fair has put together these time saving tips for you:

OC Fair Express Start at one of eight convenient locations in Orange County, and ride the OC Fair Express non-stop to the OC Fair for just $2 each way.  Receive a coupon for $3 admission to the OC Fair.  OC Fair Express operates Friday, noon to midnight and Saturday/Sunday, 10 am to midnight. Transit Locations: Anaheim, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Orange, Santa Ana & San Juan Capistrano For more information, visit octa.net/ocfairexpress

Metrolink Take Metrolink to the Anaheim Canyon, Santa Ana or Irvine Metrolink station and connect with OCTA’s OC Fair Express which provides direct bus service to the OC Fair.  Show your valid Metrolink ticket for a FREE ride to the OC Fair.  For more information, visit Metrolink Promotions

Ride Your Bike Bike racks are conveniently located near Blue Gate, Green Gate, and Yellow Gate entrances at the OC Fair.

FREE Off-Site Parking (Weekends Only) Orange Coast College Adams Lot.  Exit at either Harbor or Fairview from the 405 Freeway and turn on Adams Ave.  Follow the signs for OC Fair Parking.  Free Shuttle to the OC Fair.

Weekends Only: Free parking and shuttle service available Saturdays and Sundays from the Experian parking structure off Bristol street of the 405 freeway.  Follow signs to Experian.  Shuttle operates from 10 am to 1 am.

Last but not least, don’t forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, and water to the fair.  During the day, temperatures can range anywhere from the mid 80’s to over 100 degrees.  It is very important to stay well hydrated when having fun.

Enjoy your summer at the fair!

Happy Field Tripping, Jilleen

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post.  We attended the event for informational puposes only.  All opinions are our own.  All images used by permission.

fairygoodiemother

Tuesday 8th of July 2014

Jilleen, you are SO right about the sun screen! I got BURNT last year! COMPLETELY FORGOT it!!! Boo.

I never knew about the OC Fair Express Option! That's so cool!

The only reason I was able to survive the potential parking nightmare last year was because we showed up right before the fair opened…on a Sunday. Most people probably were still sleeping in or having pancakes. I sacrificed my pancakes for parking!

Can't wait for the fair!

:) Anna

jilleen123

Tuesday 8th of July 2014

For events such as this and to make applying sunscreen easy, I use the Trader Joe's spray on sunscreen. That way I have no excuse. The tip about going early to the fair is a good one too. Thanks for sharing!

Kriselle

Monday 7th of July 2014

Another parking tip: If people want to park close to the fairgrounds but skip traffic, during the weekdays Vanguard University (across the street from the entrance) has parking, but it is $10 per car. BUT all funds are going to student-run departments and activities for the upcoming school year. I'm so excited for the OC Fair this year!

jilleen123

Monday 7th of July 2014

I never knew that! How cool. Help another organization at the same time while attending the fair. Thanks for the tip Kriselle. You know the fair for sure!