Part of a carnival ride at the Orange County Fair (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)
Carmelot: A castle-themed stand that sugar coats everything in caramel (photo b Nikki Kreuzer)
The County Fair… Just reading those three simple words conjures up magical summertime childhood memories for everyone, no matter where in the United States you may have been raised. Sticky cotton candy, dusty live animals, high-in-the-sky ferris wheels, not-so-spooky fun houses, powdery funnel cakes and a whole lot of strangeness disguised as red, white & blue Americana…
Llamas chilling at the OC Fair (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)
So it should be no wonder that this offbeat girl truly appreciates a good County Fair. And so, prompted by a day of oddness, off to the Orange County Fair I went. Apart from the Monster Truck Rallies and the concerts put on by slightly faded rock stars, there are petting zoos and so much high-calorie, greasy goodness that there is actually a booth sponsored by Overeaters Anonymous.
Outside the “Eat Meat” display at the OC Fair (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)
This year’s O.C. Fair, held in the same spot in Costa Mesa since 1949, runs from July 12-August 11, 2013. After walking around for most of the day I was able to see Joan Jett and the Blackhearts perform to an enthusiastic audience of all ages. This year’s other acts so far have included the Go-Go’s, The B-52’s, Three Dog Night, Weezer and X, but yet to come are Styx, ZZ Top, The Flaming Lips, Roger Daltry and Hall and Oats. You may have missed several Monster Truck events and a Bull Riding display, but you can still catch the show Amazing Dobermans and the Ultimate Dodgeball Competition.
The author with some of the OC Fair mascots (photo courtesy of Nikki Kreuzer)
The Orange County Fair had it’s origin way back in 1890 in Santa Ana when it primarily consisted of livestock shows and horse racing. It moved to Anaheim in 1925 where it stayed until 1948. By then it had incorporated rides and more of the typical carnival-like attractions.
Bacon…it’s what’s for dinner (photo by NIkki Kreuzer)
Of course many of the stereotypical clichés of any County Fair are true. You will find pig racing, rigged games of skill, bacon and more bacon…
Move over Dali… The OC Fair has a crotched Eyeball Pillow (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)
You can expect baking contests and hangers full of local art, but at this particular fair some of the homemade crafts were by far the strangest I’ve seen. I was extremely fortunate to see a crocheted Eyeball Pillow and a wedding dress and men’s suit completely constructed out of duct tape.
A wearable men’s suit, constructed from duct tape (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)
While the foreboding clown head, constructed entirely out of Q-Tips and their bendable plastic wands intrigued me, I fell in love with the knitted Bacon and Eggs Breakfast.
Crochet art… it’s what’s for breakfast (Photo by Nikki Kreuzer)
After licking the sugar off my fingertips from a funnel cake nearly as big as my head, I was lucky to catch a Hypnotism act in which a group of audience members were made to fall asleep on cue and dance on stage like raving lunatics. All I can say is that it was truly a typical day at the fair…
Q-Tip Art: as if clowns aren’t frightening enough… (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)
The OC Fair: 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626; (714) 708-1500. http://www.ocfair.com/2013/
July 12-August 11, 2013- open Wednesday to Sunday.
