The Fair Gets Cheese-y

This year's OC Fair theme is Say Cheese! The Fair runs July 11-Aug. 3.

Courtesy of the OC Fair

There's never a lack of things to do at the OC Fair. To help filter down all the activities and events, we compiled several quick lists of our personal favorites – starting, of course, with the cheese.

A Couple of Cheese-y Finds

1. Cheese Head
Cheese is not typically an accessory, but why not give it a try? Observe or participate in the Cheese Fondue, Hairdo contest, and scope out the trendiest, cheesiest styles for your head. Hair styles, hair accessories, hats… cheese is set to revolutionize! OC Cheese-A-Fair Contest Stage, Aug. 2, 3 p.m.

2. Cheese Sculpting
Michelangelo never attempted anything like this! Participants in the “Who Cut the Cheese?” Amateur Sculpting Event will be sculpting art from our favorite snack. Watch or participate in this exhibition set with the task of transforming a single block of cheese. OC Cheese-A-Fair Contest Stage, July 27, 5 p.m., Aug. 3, 5 p.m.

3 Things You Didn't Know You Could Compete In

1. Sandwich Making Showdown
Can you pastrami like none other? Have you refined your placement of all the crucial toppings and spreads? Then you are fair game for The Big Cheese contest, which will once and for all determine Orange County’s best sandwich maker. OC Cheese-A-Fair Contest Stage. Aug. 3, 3 p.m.

OC FAIR INFO Hours: Runs Friday, July 11-Sunday, Aug. 3. Tuesday-Friday, noon - midnight; Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-midnight. Closed Mondays. Cost: General admission (13-59), $9; seniors (60+), $7; children 6-12, $5; children 5 and under, free. Parking is $5 per vehicle; $10, Preferred Parking. Individual activity and concert prices include admission to the Fair.

2. Cheese Doodling
Canvas is to paint as paintbrush is to… cheese? If you've always wanted to make a masterpiece with your favorite snack, join in on the Cheese Doodles contest, which is on-the-spot and provides you with your canvas, tools and cheese. OC Cheese-A-Fair Contest Stage. July 22, 1 p.m., July 24, 1 p.m., July 25, 6 p.m., July 29, 1 p.m., July 31, 1 p.m., Aug. 2, 11 a.m.

3. Grilled Cheese
Are you a closet grilled cheese sandwich expert? Can you handle an iron? Orange County is ready to discover your talent! Participate in the Iron Man Cheese Challenge, and prove that you are indeed the Fair’s best grilled cheese maker. OC Cheese-A-Fair Contest Stage. July 22, 5 p.m., July 26, 5 p.m., July 29, 5 p.m., July 31, 5 p.m., Aug. 2, 5 p.m.

3 Ways to See Someone Sustain Massive Bodily Injuries

1. "Orange Crush" Demolition Derby
Looking for a way to vent your vehicular frustration without paying legal fees as high as your insurance? Check out this eighth-annual derby, and the next time you’re stuck on the 405, you can think back to that field of mutilated steel and rubber. It’s therapeutic. July 20, 3:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Tickets: $12.50

2. Lucha Libre
Nacho Libre, this is not. Be prepared for high-flying acrobatics and perhaps a few broken bones as the masked men of the World Power Wrestling league enter the squared circle at the OC Fair. July 15-17, 8:15 p.m. Tickets: $12.50

3. X-treme Freestyle Moto-X
Mike Metzger may be the godfather of freestyle moto-x, but it’s guys like these that keep the extreme sport alive. Don’t miss your chance to see pro dirt bike riders perform amazing aerial stunts right in front of your eyes – or rather, above them. July 19, 8:15 p.m. Tickets: $12.50

5 Hot Music Acts

1. Matchbox Twenty
Rob Thomas brings his particular brand of musical magic to the OC Fair when he and the rest of Matchbox Twenty light up the Pacific Amphitheatre as part of their Exile in America tour. Featuring special guest Hodges. July 31, 7 p.m. Tickets: $49.50/$79.50

2. Fergie
In the fickle and tumultuous world of pop music, no one is hotter than former Black-Eyed Peas beauty Fergie. "The Dutchess" will be shaking her “humps” onstage with special guest Carney. July 19, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $59.50/$79.50

3. OneRepublic
This rock band's catchy tunes and front man Ryan Tedder’s smooth, bewitching vocals are sure to stay with you long after you've left the theater. July 12, 7 p.m. Tickets: $29.50

4. Paramore
Girls can rock it. At least Haley, lead singer of Paramore, can! Her talent and charisma got Paramore on the charts, causing many critics to proclaim them one of the best new bands of the year. July 30, 7 p.m. Tickets: $39.50

5. MercyMe
Christian band, MercyMe's lyric-driven songs – “I Can Only Imagine” and “Here I Am” – are the perfect backdrops for an emotional worship experience. July 23, 7 p.m. Tickets: $25/$35/$45/$55

Our 5 Favorite Has-Been Music Acts

1. The Scorpions/Sammy Hagar and the Wabos
For one-night only, ‘80s hair metal is back as The Scorpions take the stage with former Van Halen front man Sammy Hagar and his band, the Wabos. Apparently, the two groups have made it official: They will rock you like a hurricane. Aug. 3, 7 p.m. Tickets: $45/$55/$85

2. The Stray Cats
The Stray Cats will rock this town before embarking on their European tour in August. Sure, the Cats haven’t worked together consistently in 15 years, but that just makes this show all the more exclusive! Featuring Joe Ely and Hot Rod Lincoln. July 22, 7 p.m. Tickets: $49.50

3. Berlin
Don your aviators and prepare to rock with the band that launched Top Gun’s love song, “Take My Breath Away,” and the controversial “Sex (I’m A …).” Whether you were diehard fans of them in the ‘80s or not, Berlin, opening for Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, should not be missed. Aug. 1, 7 p.m. Tickets: $29.50/$39.50/$49.50

4. B.B. King
Soul is returning to Orange County with B.B. King, king of the blues. King has been crooning since the ‘40s, and his voice is only getting sweeter! July 11, 7 p.m. Tickets: $29.50/$39.50/$75

5. Tom Jones
Ladies, Tom Jones's still got it! The raucous, powerful vocals of Jones are back – and the legendary singer are sure to keep you captivated. “What’s New Pussycat,” “It’s Not Unusual” and “She’s A Lady” never sounded so good. July 15, 7 p.m. Tickets: $39.50/$49.50

Courtesy of the OC Fair

3 Foods Sure to Raise Your Cholesterol Three-Fold in Two Bites

1. Deep-Fried...
Choose from the Fair’s deep-fried list to satisfy your particular craving: deep-fried Twinkies, deep-fried Oreos, deep-fried cupcakes… even deep-fried Coke! Your taste experience (and your cholesterol) will never be the same!

2. Frogs
Are you going green? Literally? For the first time, the OC Fair is offering frog legs, a staple dish in the South and a daring feat in Orange County! Muster up the nerves to give it a try, and maybe you’ll discover that it just tastes like chicken.

3. BBQ
Come on out to the world’s largest barbeque, which will cook 1,000 items at once! You’ll have your choice of turkey legs, sausage, hamburgers… anything that can be slapped on a grill.

3 Activities and Events That Simply Defy Categorization

1. OC Fair Cattle Drive
Fairgoers will be licking their lips in anticipation as 300 steaks, er, steers bound blissfully unaware through the streets of Costa Mesa during the OC Fair Cattle Drive. As for you thrill-seekers who want to join the steer along the way, better save it for Pamplona. July 26, 10 a.m.

2. The Peking Acrobats
Forget about this summer’s shenanigans in Beijing. Who needs to watch Olympic synchronized swimming on tape delay when the Peking Acrobats are performing jaw-dropping feats of strength and agility right in your own backyard? And best of all, there are no judges to cause controversy! July 11-Aug. 3, with shows daily at 5:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.

3. Tribute Bands
Did your favorite band break up? Is the reunion tour sold out? Never fear, for this is why the good Lord gave us tribute bands. Sit back and enjoy the classic music of performers like Bruce Springsteen and the Eagles from guys who sound almost as good! July 11 and 25, 8:15 p.m. – Springsteen! The Premiere Tribute to the Boss. July 15 and 17, 8:15 p.m. – Atomic Punks: A Tribute to early Van Halen. July 16, 8:15 p.m. – 5150: A Tribute to Van Halen with Sammy Hagar. July 23-24, 8:15 p.m. – Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles. July 29-31, 8:15 p.m. – Mark Wood and the Parrot Head Band: The Best Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band in the Country. Admission is free.

 

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