Those ready to eat, ride, or shop their way through the OC Fair won’t have to wait much longer before the grills fire up and the Ferris wheel starts spinning.
The 2022 OC Fair will kick off July 15 for a 23-day run that ends Aug. 14. After a slightly scaled-back version of offerings last year, concerts and other entertainment events — including the Action Sports Arena shows — are back in full force.
New, ridiculous food choices will top some menus alongside staples like the trusty funnel cake or turkey leg. And a brand new ride will hoist adventurous fair-goers high into the air on a pirate ship.
There’s a lot to see and do at the fair this year, so here are some things you need to know.
Getting in
Like last year, a 45,000 person-per-day cap will be placed on entry into the fair, so it’s important to plan the visit in advance, officials said.
The capacity limit isn’t just a coronavirus precaution this year, though. After getting positive feedback about the extra elbow room and tempered noise from fairground neighbors, organizers learned that perhaps “bigger is not always better,” said OC Fair and Event Center CEO Michele Richards.
In years past, attendance would sometimes hit 80,000 people per day, Richards said, and that “didn’t create a very good guest experience.”
“It was a drain on our resources and a bother to our neighbors,” she said.
Having to cap entry in 2021 made officials question the event model altogether, and it’s a practice that will likely be carried on into future years, said Terry Moore the OC Fair and Event Center spokeswoman.
“Before, success was measured on attendance: How many millions of people can you get in there?” Moore said. “And we just decided, you know what? We don’t need millions of people. We need people to have a great time.”
The ticket-purchasing process will also remain the same as last year, meaning sales will be online only. That’ll require some extra planning from visitors, organizers warn. Last year, the fair sold out of tickets 17 out of 23 days, and multiple sellout dates are expected again this time.
Once inside, the grounds might still look just slightly different than in years past. Tables and seating areas will continue to be spread out as a pandemic precaution, and sanitization procedures will be beefed up more than in pre-COVID-19 years.
While no capacity or masking requirements are in place in Orange County, Richards said fair officials are in close communication with Orange County Health Care Agency officials and are “certainly ready and willing to pivot” if new requirements are put in place.
In the last week, a new variant has become the most dominant version of the virus that causes COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Orange County’s seven-day average case numbers have been generally increasing since March, and in Los Angeles County, another indoor mask mandate may be in the near future as hospitalizations rise.
Things to do
After two years of pandemic disruptions, the entertainment offerings at this year’s fair are back full-fledged, with a long list of shows and performances, dozens of rides and carnival games, and, notably, the return of the Action Sports Arena, showcasing adrenaline-pumping stunts and races.
“We have monster trucks, demolition derbies, and Speedway, all that fun stuff,” Moore said.
Bob Basile, who had operated the demolition derbies for decades before handing the family business off to his daughter this year, said the two-year hiatus from the OC Fair was “extremely disappointing” — not only for his business but also because it meant tens of thousands of missed-out dollars for the charities that the derbies benefit.
Various versions of the car-crashing races raise money for different campaigns, including those to help breast cancer patients and survivors as well as firefighter and police organizations. Most years, the events raise around $30,000 combined.
“For me now, it’s about the charities,” said Basile, who is still involved with his company, Sunnyside Promotions, teaching his daughter the ropes. “Doing good with the project is what’s exciting to me now.”
Returning are crowd favorites like the Alaskan racing pigs, livestock shows, a number of hobby and art competitions, and the Centennial farm. Animals at the fair include goats, oxen, and pigs. And about 170 vendors have signed up for a booth to sell their products, Moore said.
Among the 60 rides adventurous fairgoers can try in the carnival center will be the new Sea Ray, a “big pirate ship that swings back and forth on a pendulum,” said Chris Lopez, vice president of RCS, which operates the attractions, games, and food in the carnival midway area.
For kids, there will also be the bumper boats, a favorite at other fairs, Lopez said. And staples like the massive La Grande XL observation wheel, high-flying Sky Ride, and splashing Wild River will be a fixture at this year’s fair as well.
Last year, the excitement from visitors returning for the first time since 2019 — the 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic — was palpable, Lopez said, as “lots of folks were anxious to get out and get to normalcy.”
He’s hoping that same energy will take hold at this year’s event.
“We very much hope it’s as sought out and exciting for folks as it was last year,” he said.
Concerts and Food
In addition to the staples (think corndogs, funnel cakes, turkey legs, and bacon-wrapped anything) this year’s fair will debut some over-the-top food offerings like chicken sandwiches covered in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos or Cap’n Crunch or dipped in syrup made from Kool-Aid.
About 100 food vendors will dot the fairgrounds, offering a variety that can satisfy any craving from pizza to banana splits, Mexican street corn or Texas-style BBQ.
And on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., fair food samplings will be featured for just $4 a pop.
As the afternoons wind down each day, stages will light up with live performances including comedic acts and concerts. Performers this year include legendary artist Smokey Robinson, bands like Rebelution and The Offspring, comedians Jim Gaffigan and Trevor Noah, and a number of tribute bands and performances.
Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.com and must be purchased ahead of time. Performances taking place during the fair include admission to the fair as well.
When to go
The fair runs July 15-Aug. 14 on Wednesdays through Sundays (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
Wednesday and Thursday, fair hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday through Sunday, hours are 11 a.m. to midnight.
What it costs
Admission is $12 Wednesday and Thursday and $14 Friday-Sunday. Seniors and kids ages 6-12 pay $7 every day, and kids 5 and under are free. Parking costs $10 per car.
Visitors can buy unlimited ride wristbands for $44 if purchased before July 15, or they will cost $49 at the fair.
A full schedule of events and lists of food vendors, attractions, and games can be found at ocfair.com.
