Big Fun at the Fair
WEB-EXCLUSIVE: The 2009 OC Super Fair – with a theme of “Think. Big.” – brings in big attractions like legendary new wave band Duran Duran and "American Idol" sensation Kelly Clarkson while minding your budget.
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It just isn’t summer in Orange County until you’ve eaten a deep-fried Twinkie or giant turkey leg at the Orange County Fair. And this year, your savory snack won’t be the only thing that’s super-sized. The 2009 OC Super Fair celebrates the theme “Think. Big.” – with big attractions and bigger savings.
The Orange County Fair, which runs Friday, July 10 through Sunday, August 9, has come up with a few ways to help fair-goers get a bigger bang for their buck. The carnival will offer $30 all-you-can-ride wristbands, and you can also take advantage of $1 ride days on select days. Food vendors will also be offering a tasting menu for $2, available Thursdays from noon until 4 p.m. Also, the Super Pass will be available for purchase for the first time, offering pass holders free admission to all 23 days of the fair and other benefits like two-for-one tickets on select Pacific Amphitheater shows.
And speaking of the Pacific Amphitheater, the summer concert series boasts big acts this year, like legendary new wave group Duran Duran and "American Idol" sensation Kelly Clarkson. Also among the acts, country musician Alan Jackson, local punk outfit X, The B-52s, The Black Eyed Peas, The Moody Blues, and even Pat Benatar and Blondie performing a joint show.
If the summer concert series isn’t big enough for you, head over to the Farm and Garden Exhibit for the “Think Big Mac” Giant Pumpkin Contest, where the heftiest pumpkin takes home $1,000. But growing a great pumpkin isn’t the only way to take home a cash prize or a blue ribbon. There are contests for other large produce as well as competitions for best quilt, photo, woodwork, wine, homemade beer, and many more.
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The new biggest attraction at this year’s fair is Al’s Brain, a 3-D movie that stars musician "Weird Al" Yankovic and takes 500 viewers at a time on a 3-D journey through the human brain. Al’s Brain will be viewed in the Hanger, appropriately renamed The Brainitorium, at the end of the fair’s main mall. The film will feature a new original song by Yankovic titled, “The Brain Song,” and is free with fair admission. Both entertaining and educational, this exhibit is said to be just one of the ways the fair plans to be bigger and better with new and innovative attractions.
Fair admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for children (5 and under free every day). The Super Pass is available at ocfair.com
More Savings at the Fair
There are plenty of special discounts that will help you enjoy all the big fun the fair has to offer, with free admission and free parking for all on opening day from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. Also on opening day, active duty military, law enforcement and firefighters get free admission for themselves and one guest with I.D. from 1-6 p.m.
The fair will devote each Wednesday to “We Care Wednesdays,” collecting donations for different charities and rewarding those who donate with free fair admission and one free carnival ride. Bring the kids down for Kids Day each Thursday with free admission for those under 12. And don’t forget grandpa because every Friday is Senior Day and those over 60 can enjoy free Ferris wheel and merry-go-round rides and $4 fair admission.
