OC FAIR : ULTIMATE GUIDE

The 2018 OC Fair is July 13-Aug. 12 

and offers 23 days and nights of entertainment, food, rides, shopping, exhibits and more. 

Hours are noon to midnight Wednesdays through Fridays, and 11 a.m. to midnight Saturdays and Sundays.

Amazing summer memories are on the way. The 2018 OC Fair invites every fairgoer to "Free Your Inner Farmer" - wave your hat in the air and celebrate our agricultural heritage with OC style. You can even wear overalls and get in free until 3 p.m. on Thursdays - there are deals all 23 days of the Fair.

The 128th annual OC Fair opens July 13 and runs through Aug. 12. Pacific Amphitheatre will launch the Toyota Summer Concert Series with several pre-Fair shows starting July 7. And it's time to enter competitions; deadlines vary from now through the Fair. Don't miss your chance to bring home a blue ribbon and earn bragging rights. 

NEW THIS YEAR

Daredevils & Wheels – A wild, live-action stunt show at Action Sports Arena July 18-22, this outrageous spectacle features the Globe of Death steel ball, Vortex of Doom aerial platform raceway and a motorcycle high wire.

Fair food – Those who have been saving up those calories for their summer Fair treats can choose from chocolate pasta, a spaghetti donut, the pineapple-and-pork "Pine and Swine" sourdough bread, frozen Reese's cream pies, deep-fried filet mignon on a stick, spicy fried cheese curd chips and Bomb Pops in a cup.

Gigantic farmers: Bounty of the County – Three 16-foot-tall murals by artist John Cerney honoring local farmers and ranchers will greet fairgoers at the three main gates of the OC Fair. Plus, human-scale displays showcasing California's own farm stars share video stories with guests at the click of an app.

Craft Bar – Farm-to-bar mocktails (and cocktails after dark) will include hand-picked garden ingredients sure to refresh and inspire (and locally crafted spirits from San Clemente's Drift Distillery).

Peterson Farm Brothers – Real-life singing Kansas farmers turned YouTube sensations will give Fair guests a unique view of real life on a farm in 2018 - and you can even sing along.

Bravemind exhibit at Heroes Hall – Opening in June, this new exhibition will show how a virtual reality technology from USC is helping veterans overcome PTSD in the real world.

Culinary Crawl – This guided tour takes fairgoers through a mini version of OC's curated culinary offerings, from a Patisserie to a Charcuterie, featuring insider info and tastings. Free tours will be held four times daily.

Selfie pop-up museum – Stay tuned for details on this only-at-the-OC-Fair pop-up selfie experience that will celebrate the unique and Instagram-worthy fun of the Fair. The exhibit is set to open on July 20.

RETURNING FAIR FAVORITES

Junior Livestock Auction – Saturday, July 21, at the Livestock Show Ring. See ocfair.com/junior-livestock-auction for details.

OC Brew Hee Haw craft beer festival – Saturday, July 14, and Sunday, July 15. Get tickets at ocbrewheehaw.com.

OC Fair Fun Run 5K – Sunday, Aug. 5. Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the summer's funnest 5K! Register at ocfair5k.com.

Also coming back for more summer fun: All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, Peking Acrobats, comedy hypnotist Mark Yuzuik, The Conjurer, Russell Brothers Circus, Frank Thurston, Explorium and more.

MUSIC

The Toyota Summer Concert Series at Pacific Amphitheatre will feature headliners such as Steve Martin and Martin Short, Brett Eldredge, Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss, Trevor Noah, The Psychedelic Furs with -X- and The Fixx, and so much more. Plus, several pre-Fair and post-Fair shows have been added to the summer season, including two nights of Stray Cats.

Full lineup: pacamp.com

Over at The Hangar, the best in tribute bands will top off the night every Wednesday through Saturday with acts like Journey Unauthorized, Zeppelin Live, Hotel California and BOSTYX. Plus, The Hangar will feature Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, Foghat, Ozomatli and Firefall with Poco.

Full lineup: ocfair.com/the-hangar

FAIR BASICS

2018 OC Fair theme: "Free Your Inner Farmer"

Dates: July 13-Aug. 12, Wednesday-Sunday

Hours: Wednesday-Friday, noon-midnight; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-midnight

Admission:

Wednesday-Friday: $12 general, $7 senior (60+) and youth (ages 6-12), free for children 5 and younger

Saturday-Sunday: $14 general, $7 senior (60+) and youth (ages 6-12), free for children 5 and younger

Parking: $10 cars, $20 buses and limos.

Free offsite parking and shuttle is available Saturdays and Sundays from Experian in Costa Mesa; shuttle runs 10 a.m.-1 a.m.

OC Fair Express: Catch the bus from one of nine locations through O.C. on Saturdays and Sundays for $4 round trip, and get a $4 Fair admission coupon. Seniors ride for $1.50 round trip.

More info: ocfairexpress.com.

OC Fair deals and discounts offer so many ways to save you can come all 23 days

There are ways to save every single day at the OC Fair, so grab your overalls and plan ahead to take advantage of all these great deals. You can Free Your Inner Farmer till the cows come home! 

New this year is Overalls Day. All fairgoers wearing overalls get free admission every Thursday from noon to 3 p.m. A weekend carnival special has also been added. Grab $35 unlimited ride wristbands from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and use them until 4 p.m.

Returning favorite promotions include Free Till Three on Opening Day; that's free Fair admission and parking from noon to 3 p.m. on July 13 only. And our weekend commuter specials, the OC Fair Express bus and offsite Experian parking, save time, money and traffic headaches.

The 2018 OC Fair is July 13-Aug. 12, open Wednesday-Friday from noon to midnight and Saturday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to midnight. 

2018 SUPER PASS

Super Passes include admission to all 23 days of the OC Fair. Other perks include a carnival value book, 20 percent off OC Fair merchandise (one-time purchase), free admission to the Orange County Market Place for the calendar year, two-for-one tickets to select events at Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena, and the ability to purchase up to 10 general admission Fair tickets for $10 each.

Super Passes are $40 (general admission) and $33 (seniors and youth) through May 31, and available for purchase at ocfair.com/superpass.

WEEKDAY DEALS

We Care Wednesday (noon – 3 p.m.) Free admission and one carnival ride with a donation to that day’s charity. July 18, school supplies drive; July 25, food drive; Aug. 1, children’s book drive; Aug. 8, clothing drive.

Thursday: New! Wear Overalls Day (noon-3 p.m.) Fairgoers who wear overalls get free admission. $3 Taste of Fair Food (noon-4 p.m.) Sample a variety of food from different vendors for $3 each.

Kids Day (all day) Children 12 and younger receive free admission.

FRIDAYS: Seniors Day (all day) Guests 60+ receive $5 admission and free Ferris wheel and merry-go-round-rides.

LIMITED-TIME DEALS: 

Free Till Three on Opening Day (Friday, July 13, noon-3 p.m.) Admission and parking are free at all gates on Opening Day of the 2018 OC Fair until 3 p.m.

First Responders and Law Enforcement Week (Aug. 8-12) With an issuing agency ID, active-duty and professional staff of the police, sheriff, fire and emergency services departments receive free admission. 

DAILY DEALS 

Salute to Heroes – Veterans and active-duty military receive free admission with a valid ID and are also able to purchase up to six general admission tickets for half off.

Fair It Forward – With the original ticket, guests who attended the San Diego County Fair, Ventura County Fair or OC Fair can receive free admission to both of the other two fairs. 

Read & Ride – Bookworms ages 5-11 who read two books and complete the online book report form (available at bit.ly/readride2018) will receive three free carnival rides. This deal can be redeemed at the Information Booth in Centennial Farm during regular Fair hours.

Pacific Amphitheatre & Carnival Ticket Bounce-Back – Guests who attend a Pacific Amphitheatre concert receive one free ride on La Grande Wheel XL in the Main Midway with their valid ticket stub. 

OC City Coupon – Orange County residents can pick up a coupon for $2 off full-price general admission from their local city halls or libraries. This coupon is valid for up to four people; must present original coupon.

COMMUTING DEALS

Free offsite parking (every Saturday and Sunday) Park at the Experian lot in Irvine for free, and take the courtesy shuttle straight to the OC Fair. 

OC Fair Express (every Saturday and Sunday) Fairgoers traveling to the Fair on OCTA’S OC Fair Express bus receive a coupon for $4 Fair admission. The bus fare is $2 each way ($4 round trip; $1.50 for seniors). Buses run 10 a.m. to midnight and will pick up from nine different locations throughout Orange County. Visit ocfairexpress.com for more information.

OC Fair food is crazier, more inventive than ever

– It's a once-a-year experience, something that can only happen at the Fair - a food frenzy beyond compare. The midway magicians in mini kitchens are cooking up inventions like donut-shaped spaghetti, caramel-drizzled fries and floats made for mermaids. Last year 51% of attendees surveyed said the only-at-the-Fair food was their favorite part of their visit and the chefs have been working to move the needle even higher.

A sampling of new food items for 2018

• Peanut butter, jelly and Siracha funnel cake - Dutchmen's Funnel Cakes
• Deep-fried cheese curds, mac & cheese bites, shrimp & cheese jammers, and more - new stand: Who Fried the Cheese?
• Deep-fried filet mignon on a stick - Chicken Charlie's
• Spaghetti donut formed with pasta and topped with pesto, alfredo, carbonara or marinara - Pignotti's
• The OC Crunch Cinnamon Roll featuring caramel, cinnamon crunch cereal and frosting - D&D Country Fair Cinnamon Buns
• Lasagna nachos with pasta chips and pesto, veggies, cheese, marinara and meats - Pignotti's
• Pine and Swine sourdough bread with butter, garlic, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, pineapple and ham - Ten Pound Buns
• Caramel Crack Fries featuring French fries tossed in butter and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar then drizzled with salted caramel sauce and topped with whipping cream and sprinkles - Biggy's
• Chili chamoy candy apple coated with sweet and spicy chili and tamarind flavors - Brander's Candyland
• Unicorn cotton candy donut with sparkling strawberry glitter glaze, rainbow candy, bubble gum cotton candy - Texas Donuts
• Boba comes to the Fair and flavors include passion fruit, Thai, oolong, mango, jasmine and lychee - new stand: Holy Cao's Boba Tea
• Shrimp/chicken Ramen burritos, deep-fried pineapple on a stick - Chicken Charlie's
• Unicorn, Orange Dream and Mermaid Floats featuring cotton candy and rainbow toppings - Candy Factory
• Big Skillet cookie, an oversize chocolate chip cookie topped with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate syrup - Totally Baked Cookie Joint
• Toppings bar for cinnamon buns including cherry pie filling, Mini M & M’s, salted caramel and maple bacon frosting - JP's Old West Cinnamon Rolls
• Poke and sushi bowls, orange chicken burritos - Eddie's Asian-Inspired Cuisine

Returning favorites: BBQ chicken, grilled corn, tri-tip, burgers, hot dogs, tacos, turkey legs, Hawaiian chicken bowls, grilled vegetables, corn dogs, ice cream, shaved ice, smoothies, shakes, fruit bowls, waffles, crepes, flavored lemonade and more. Vendors include: Pink’s Hot Dogs, Biggy's, Juicy's, Noel's Mexican, Corn Star, Apollo’s Greek, Carmelot, Pepe’s Mariscos, Crutchee’s Ice Cream, Enzo’s Pizza, Fresh Frys, Fried Affair, Hussong’s Cantina, Hot Dog on a Stick, Planet Popcorn, Mucho Crazy Nachos, Mustards Café, Old West Cinnamon Rolls, Texas Donuts, Vinny’s Pizza and more.

 $3 Taste of Fair Food: Get a sampling of food and treats for only $3 each every Thursday from noon to 4 p.m.Fun-sized samples include funnel cake, tri-tip, lemonade, cinnamon rolls, tacos, gelato, cotton candy and more. 

15 ways to free your inner farmer at the OC Fair

It's about time to get a little dirt on your hands, Orange County. The 2018 OC Fair theme, "Free Your Inner Farmer," is inviting you to do just that: leave the heels and 'hose at home, and let that farmer flag fly. Grab a cowboy hat and boots, because you're in for the kind of fun city folk didn't even know they could have!

Here are 15 ways to free your inner farmer at the fair:

• Wear your favorite pair on Overalls Day. Every Thursday from noon to 3 p.m. during the 2018 OC Fair, guests can get free admission just by wearing overalls. For more deals and promos, visit ocfair.com/deals.
• Go on the Culinary Crawl. New this year to the OC Fair is a special tour through the culinary world in the OC Promenade. Guests can sign up to take an exclusive tour, making stops at the Patisserie, Charcutterie, Fermentation Farm and so much more. Hit the info booth inside the OC Promenade at least an hour prior to tour time to sign up; tour times are 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. daily.
• Marvel at larger-than-life murals, Bounty of the County: Celebrating Local Agriculture. The John Cerney mural project will feature Tanaka Farms, Neff Ranch and Frank Fitzpatrick's 5 Bar Beef. A mural can be found at each of the three major public entry gates.
• Learn about cows in a milking demonstration. Stop by the Millennium Barn in Centennial Farm to see how a cow gets milked; Maxine, a demo cow, will be front and center.
• Visit the Livestock barns and showring. From birds to rabbits, cows, goats and pigs, there are all types of animals to see in the Livestock area, and you can learn from the 4-H or FFA club members on hand. Plus, check out the various activities in Livestock, including a Barnyard Fashion Show.
• Participate in the Junior Livestock Auction. This is the largest livestock event at the OC Fair, and it's a sight to see. Set up like a true auction, this is where the 4-H and FFA club members are able to sell their livestock in a fundraiser that allows them to continue learning and farming. For more info on the auction, visit ocfair.com/competitions/auction.
• Find the life-size portraits of farmers Outstanding In Their Field. Download an app called Live Portrait before heading to the fair, and when you happen upon a life-size cutout of a farmer, scan it with the app. You'll get a video and info about that farmer and learn about what they do for a living.
• Sing along with Willie Nelson & Family and Alison Krauss. On Aug. 9, get tickets to see Willie and Alison in the Pacific Amphitheatre. You can sing along to one of country music's greatest legend – and what's more cowboy than that?
• Have a farm-to-bar cocktail - a croptail! Hit up the OC Promenade for a tasty cocktail made from farm-fresh ingredients in the Craft Bar. During the day, you can try out a non-alcoholic mocktail that is just as delicious.
• Stop by the Museum of Agrarian Art. This curated exhibit in the Visual Arts building will include contemporary artwork representing farming, agriculture and the people who cultivate the land, as well as replicas of renown fine art masterpieces.
• Participate in one of the Garden and Floral Competitions. From Container Plants to Pressed Botanicals, there are several horticulture competitions that you can enter to win the coveted prize: a blue ribbon! Deadlines are Aug. 6 and 7. Visit ocfair.com/competitions for details.
• Go on the Garden Crawl. UCCE OC Master Gardeners will host a walking tour of Centennial Farm's gardens and crops. Participants receive a prize at the end of the tour. Sign up on the day of; tours will be held weekdays during the Fair.
• Hear from real-life farmers the Peterson Farm Bros. These guys work on an actual farm and barely have time to do anything else, but they're visiting the OC for a couple of days to bring a new spin on what farming is really like. Check them out on July 21 and 22 in the Livestock Arena and Centennial Farm. Preview them at youtube.com/petersonfarmbros.
• Head on over to the rodeo. There are five nights of rodeos to choose from at Action Sports Arena, including Extreme Rodeo (Aug. 1 & 3), Broncs & Bulls (Aug. 2 & 4), and Fiesta del Charro. For more info, go to ocfair.com/action-sports-arena.
• Cheer on the swine at the All-Alaskan Racing Pigs. Everybody's favorite Livestock race is back, so pick your favorite number and cheer on a snorting, squealing swine. Races are daily at 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 p.m., but on Saturdays and Sundays, you get an extra show at 1 p.m. Oink! 

Experience Daredevils & Wheels, an epic event of aerial proportions

A brand-new, jaw-dropping show at Action Sports Arena is sure to give guests an adrenaline rush during the 2018 OC Fair.

Daredevils & Wheels, running July 18-22, will combine amazing motorcycle stunts with extreme aerial death-defying performances in one heart-stopping show. Riders will tantalize the audience from dangerous heights and make breathtaking maneuvers inside a giant metal ball. 

The Nerveless Nocks make up the Daredevils & Wheels team and will be featured in a five-night extravaganza. Fitting for the OC Fair, the Nerveless Nocks started off as a circus in 1840 and was Switzerland’s first.

Michelangelo Nock, president and CEO, continues his family legacy and travels all over the world to excite audiences with his wife and children by his side. They are part of the eighth generation of the family business that has created thrill-seeking entertainment for the masses.

“I am so proud of my wife and kids for carrying on the tradition,” Nock said.

In addition to the newest stunt show, the OC Fair will be full of heart-pumping fun and destruction all summer long.

Here's Action Sports Arena's full lineup:

• X-treme Freestyle Moto X (July 13) – Daredevil motorcycle riders defy the laws of gravity while grabbing big air and performing jaw-dropping flips and stunts.
• Speedway Fair Derby (July 14) – Speedway racing features motorcycles modified to make tight turns all without the assistance of brakes on a dirt track.
• SummerFist 11 (July 15) – The OC Fair’s octagon will welcome the return of mixed martial arts action for a night of skill, finesse and power.
• Daredevils & Wheels (July 18-22) – Combining amazing motorcycle stunts with extreme aerial death-defying performances in one heart-stopping show.
• Monster Truck Destruction Tour (July 25-29) – Experience the raw power and car-crushing fury of some of the world’s most awe-inspiring monster trucks.
• Rodeos
• Extreme Rodeo (Aug. 1 & 3) – The traditional rodeo gets turned up a notch, featuring wild antics like Ring of Fire, Toro Totter and Bull Poker. 
• Broncs & Bulls Rodeo (Aug. 2 & 4) – It’s been called the most exciting eight seconds in all of sports – when a rodeo rider sets himself atop a high-kicking bronc or bucking bull and tries to hang on for dear life without getting thrown, stomped and/or gored.
• Fiesta del Charro (Aug. 5) – See the beautiful talent and skill of the charros, Mexican cowboys and lady riders dressed in an elaborately decorated outfits. 
• Demolition Derbies
• Motorhome Madness (Aug. 8 & 11) – On Aug. 11, there will be a face-off between police and fire chiefs, plus feature an Emergency Pursuit Figure 8. 
• Orange Crush (Aug. 9 & 12) – On Aug. 9, the demolition derby will pit OC police departments against fired departments 
• Damsels of Destruction (Aug. 10) – Pick your favorite female and watch as they ram, sideswipe and demolish.
• Terrible Trucks (Aug. 11) – Fans asked for bigger and noisier, so the OC Fair will deliver a chaotic, crushing race to the end.

Tickets for reserved seating start at $12.50 and include Fair admission; buy online at Ticketmaster. General admission seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis and do not require an additional ticket. Parking at the OC Fair is $10.