the kiddies were so excited to go to the OC Fair on opening day last friday. we LOVE the OC Fair and go every year multiple times. there are so many exciting activities for the family to enjoy (many are included in admission price.) there are always lot's of fun exhibits, shows and entertainment. this year's 2013 OC Fair is theme is "Come and Get It."
of course, one of our most favorite parts of the fair is the food. the smell, the barbecues going on all around us, the new weird fried items that pop up each year. we love it all. we spent a good part of the night walking around deciding what we were going to get.
we let each kids choose one treat for the night. since we will be coming back to the fair this year, we will get to try more items next time. the big boys chose a root beer float and a Bananas Fosters Pie Sundae with carmel and a homemade waffle cone crust.
the pie was delicious! (so was the rootbeer float, but we all have had those before.)
my littlest begged for cotton candy, and since he had been so sweet the whole night, i had to get it for him. he was so happy.
yum!
then we enjoyed some rides. bumper cars is always my kids first choice.
and how can you go to the fair without going on one of the giant slides. we all enjoyed it.
then we stopped by Centennial Farm to see the amazingly tall sunflowers and all of the farm animals.
the kids love this part of the fair because they like to pet the animals, especially the baby ones.
we were hoping to see some newly born baby pigs, but the mama hasn't had them yet. we were told they are due to be born this week. so hopefully on our next visit we will be seeing some tiny little piglets.
have you ever stopping in to see the giant steer? it is BIG.
during the rest of the evening, we enjoyed the lights, the sounds and thrills of the fair. we saw the motorcross show, went in the 4H building and the festival of products. there is so much to see, we'll be coming back next week. we ended the night just as some fireworks lit up the sky.
really...it was the perfect night out with the family.
looking to visit the OC Fair? here are many free exhibits and family-friendly that are included with OC Fair admission.
• daily free entertainment: enjoy children's dance troupes, magicians, local bands, amazing acrobatic feats of the Peking Acrobats and the cute competitiveness of the All-Alaskan Racing Pigs.
• Learn & Experience: children of all ages can enjoy the hands-on exhibits and games in the Fun Zone or view award-winning artwork and home art competitive entries in the Visual Arts and Home Arts Galleries. free demonstrations are held daily in each building as well as on the Exhibit Promenade Stage.
• Get Competitive: nightly, guests can compete in food eating contests in the Fun Zone and every singer in the family can belt out their favorite tunes with the support of a live band and in front of a live audience during the Karaoke Rockstarz.
• Special Exhibits & Entertainment: click here for this years exhibit line-up
• Free Action Sports: action sports fan can enjoy demolition derbies, canine-agility demonstrations, motocross, BMX jumping and more in the Action Sports Arena. limited free-with-Fair seating is available at each show on a first-come, first-seated basis.
general information
fair hours
open Wednesdays-Sundays, July 12-August 11th, 2013
wednesday - friday: noon - midnight
saturday - sunday: 10 a.m. - midnight
admission
general $11, seniors 60+ $8 children 6-12 yrs $6, children under 6 FREE
super pass
fair fans can buy the exclusive Super Pass and enjoy admission to the 2012 OC Fair everyday! click here for more info.
parking
$10 per vehicle, $12 Preferred Parking
promotions
the OC fair has made it easier for families to attend the fair. check out these promotions that help you get free admission to the fair!
opening day - july 12th FREE admission and parking from noon - 1 pm
heros get in free FREE admission for active duty military with I.D.
kids free thursdays kids 12 and under receive FREE admission every thursday.
seniors day fridays $6 admission for those 60 years or older, plus FREE Ferris wheel & merry-go-round rides.
taste of food fair fridays $2 tasting of fair food $2 ride & game fridays $2 ride & games 12 noon - 4pm
rise & shine $2 general admission on sat. & sun. 10-11 am
read & ride children 5-11, read 2 books, get 3 free carnival rides. click here for form and instructions.carnival promotions - thursdays $30 unlimited carnival ride wristbands, plus 2 free games (sold until 5 pm - valid until 8pm)
we care wednesdays
bring a donation between noon and 6pm and receive free fair admission and a free ride!
Food Drive Wednesday July 17: noon - 4pm
Book Drive Wednesday July 24: noon - 4pm
Clothing Drive Wednesday July 31: noon - 4pm<
School Supply Drive Wednesday August 7: noon - 4pm
this year's fair is going to be a great one. don't miss out on creating those special memories with the family. for more information about the Orange County Fair including directions, click here.
{ disclaimer: i received complimentary tickets for myself and for one reader to the OC Fair. All opinion expressed are mine! }
Chau
I like that I'm able to spend time with friends while tasting all of the good food!
Sarah
I love love love the cinnamon rolls! I also love the tradition of going with my family every year since my childhood 🙂
Tammy Miller
My kids love the animals the most! I love all the food!
Gaylynn Hansen
I love all your tips for free and cheap activities. Shelby and I frequent your site often.
Heather Toller
The photography, the animals, and the food!
Ann
My kids love the petting zoos there!
heather durham
I love walking around and with my family and eating the yummy treats!
Victoria O
What I like most about the fair is spending quality time with family and of course the food! 🙂
Hope
We've never been to the fair, so I think it would be a GREAT time to hang with my family and try all the yummy foods and rides that make you go WEEEEEEE!
Dinah
Pick me! Pick me! I can't wait to go to the fair this year! You just made me extra excited 🙂
Anthea Cotton
I LOVE going to the fair for the FOOD!!!
Justine Burgess
I love the food!!
Kyla
I love the Alaskan Pig Races and the Ferris Wheel!
Ruby Lin
All the fry food...
marguerite
love the ferris wheel! It never gets old!
Donna Claxton
I would love to take my two girls for some fun in the sun!
felisa gibbs
This is totally my favorite thing to do during the summer also! I would love the tickets!
Bo
I've never been but the concert lineup looks great! I'm most excited about hearing some live music!
kara noel @small things
Yay for the fair!
Debbie Miller
Great photos! Looking forward to the fair this year. I heard there's fried cookie dough this year so that's definitely on the must-try list!
Genevieve larson
Cinnamon rolls....yummy
heather talley
I have never been, but would love to go!
Goldie
Thanks for providing a great review..I donot want to miss out the fair this year.
Laura
I can't wait to check out the Fair this year, always a highlight of our summer!
Deb Moretti
I enjoy the different kinds of unhealthy food. 🙂
Sunny s.
I love the whole experience. The atmosphere, feeling of summer, games, rides, lots of yummy food and family time.
Joyce
thank you for the opportunity!!
currently unemployed would love to win free tickets & enjoy the fair this summer : )
craving a strawberry funnel cake w/ powdered sugar!
Robert Bermudez
My favorite thing about the fair is all the food. Its the one time of the year that me and family eat whatever we want.
Jon Allen
I always have gone for many years. The sights, sounds, food, entertainment and this is where I met my wife in 2005! I was performing as a musician on stage and we met when I left the venue.
Jenny Austin
I recently moved to California and had no idea that there was any sort of fair here! It reminds me of the state fair in North Carolina with the rides, unhealthy food, & animals! - my favorite past time!
Kimberly Pajas
Never been to the OC Fair, looks like so much fun. My family and I would have a blast, and those bacon wrapped turkey legs! I must try lol 😀
Sarah
Can't wait to go to the fair this year! My fave!
sigrid
WOULD LOVE TO SPEND TIME WITH MY GIRLS BUT I'M STUCK HERE
Katelyn Blazek
This has been a family tradition for 15 years now. I would like to pass this on to my kids as well. So many fun memories at the games, on the rides, looking at the exhibits, and eating the delicious food.