The OC Fair Celebrates 125 Years With 'One Big Party' This Summer

The OC Fair is celebrating 125 years and invites everyone to join its "One Big Party" July 17-August 16, 2015. From its humble beginning in 1890 as a small fair with a horse race and a few exhibits in Santa Ana, the OC Fair has grown into one of the top fairs in the nation by hosting 23 days and nights of food, fun and fair. As part of this summer's annual tradition, the OC Fair will feature a variety of exhibits and events celebrating its 125 years in addition to the food, exhibits, entertainment and activities that Fairgoers look forward to each year. Some anniversary activities include the Share Your Fair Exhibit and various historical kiosks detailing the Fair's history. All 125th celebration exhibits and events will be free with Fair admission.

Food, Food and More Food
What's a party without food? The OC Fair will feature Fair classic treats like roasted corn, funnel cakes and turkey legs plus the more unique tastes including bacon-wrapped delicacies and new items deep fried and on a stick. Plus, food-centric Fairgoers can check out the new Cakeology and Sip exhibits in the OC Promenade or attend one of the many free demonstrations and food-related contests held throughout the run of the Fair.

Fairhenheit 32°
Fairgoers can stay cool this summer in the OC Fair's newest feature, Fairhenheit 32°. This area will have a real ice skating rink and an Ice Museum. Skate rental fees apply and guests are not permitted to bring their own skates. Viewing of the Ice Museum is free with Fair admission. Open daily.

SandStory by Joe Castillo
With nimble fingers and hands, Sand Artist Joe Castillo makes grains of sand dance and move, set to music, in a beautiful display of unique storytelling twice nightly during the 2015 OC Fair on the new Plaza Pacifica Stage. Joe was even a finalist on "America's Got Talent." Performances are free with Fair admission.

Sand Sculpture
The OC Fair has commissioned Sandscapes to offer Fairgoers an impressive sand sculpture for this year's theme, "One Big Party." This year's sculpture will feature approximately 300 tons of sand that will be sculpted during Fair hours inside the Fair Square area near Blue Gate. Viewing of the sculpture will be free with Fair admission.

Cattle Drive
The cows will come home to the Fair for the return of the OC Fair Cattle Drive on August 8. Cowboys and cowgirls on horseback will escort more than a hundred head of cattle through Costa Mesa streets to the Fair. Viewing of the cattle drive will be free.

Exhibits
The OC Fair also presents exhibit galleries filled with award-winning photographs, paintings, ceramics, woodworking, cakes, cookies, quilts and more displays of talent by Southern California residents. Entry deadlines for most competitions are in early June, please visit ocfair.com/competitions for more details. The Fair will also feature several talented artists with exhibits about printmaker Charleton Christy, Sogetsu Ikebana, Plein Air Painting, author Chris Epting and more. Viewing of the exhibits is free with Fair admission.

OC Fair 5k Fun Run
On Sunday, August 9, hundreds of participants will run, walk and skip through the Fair. Those not concerned with finishing first can partake in rides, games and other detours to fun on this special 5K route before the Fair opens to the public. Organized in conjunction with the OC Marathon, the 5K starts at 8 a.m. Pre-registration is available at ocfair5k.com.

Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre
The Pacific Amphitheatre, the OC Fair's premier onsite entertainment venue, will have a new look and feel with a newly constructed lobby and entry way directly from the interior of the Fair. The 2015 Summer Concert Series will welcome performances by America with Pacific Symphony (Pre-Fair); Austin Mahone / Kalin & Myles; Capital Cities / Big Data; Charli XCX / Bleachers; Deep Purple / Foghat; Dirty Heads & Magic!; Echo & The Bunnymen / Berlin; Fifth Harmony / Debby Ryan & The Never Ending / Bea Miller / Natalie La Rose; Gabriel Iglesias; Huey Lewis & The News; Iration / Common Kings; Juanes; Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo / Dennis DeYoung; Spandau Ballet / DJ Richard Blade; Steel Pulse / The Wailers; Steve Miller Band; The B-52s / The English Beat; The Band Perry / Annie McQueen; The Fab Four / Wings Band; The Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, The Association, The Grass Roots, Mark Lindsay the former lead singer of Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Buckinghams, and The Cowsills; The Offspring / The Interrupters; Three Dog Night / Jefferson Starship; and Willie Nelson & Family and Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas. Every Pacific Amphitheatre ticket includes free Fair admission for the same day, before and after the performance.

The Hangar at the OC Fair
At the heart of the Fair, The Hangar will host free family-friendly entertainment during the day and rocking concerts at night, featuring a unique mix of hit tribute bands and original bands. Tribute bands will cover the best of Fleetwood Mac, Oingo Boingo, Depeche Mode, Metallica, Queen, Pink Floyd, Brooks & Dunn, The Eagles, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Iron Maiden, Earth, Wind & Fire, Black Eyed Peas and The Doors. Plus original performances from Aer and Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez will round out the 2015 season. Every concert ticket includes free Fair admission for the same day, before and after the concert.

Action Sports Arena
Family-friendly entertainment full of action and excitement will be offered daily in the Action Sports Arena with each show offering a free seat at the show with any Fair admission ticket (limited availability on a first-come, first-seated basis). The 2015 lineup includes the always popular demolition derby series plus motorized events, rodeo, monster trucks, mixed martial arts and new-for-2015 Cavalla Equestrian Arts Ma'Ceo. All events offer reserved seats that include free Fair admission for the same day.

Ways to Save
The 2015 OC Fair will offer a variety of ways for guests to save on admission, food and fun including the popular $2 Taste of Fair Food on Fridays from Noon-4 p.m. and Kids and Senior Days on Thursdays and Fridays, respectively. The best way to enjoy the OC Fair for a great price is with a 2015 Super Pass, valid for admission all 23 days of the 2015 OC Fair plus discounts on concerts, action sports and carnival. The Super Pass is currently available at ocfair.com/superpass or from the on-site Box Office (open limited days). Road warriors can take a break on the weekend and enjoy a ride directly to the Fair on the OC Fair Express offered by OCTA from nine transit locations in Orange County Friday-Sunday ($2 fare each way). Each OC Fair Express rider also receives a coupon for $3 Fair admission.

More Fair
Fairgoers can also enjoy rides and carnival games in two midways one for little thrill seekers and another for bigger daredevils. Fairgoers of all ages can enjoy tons of entertainment and activities free with their Fair admission ticket including All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, Russell Brothers Circus, Dragon Knights, eating contests, craft makeshops, fine arts and culinary demonstrations and performances by local dance troupes and singing groups. In the year-round Centennial Farm, guests can check out livestock and gardens plus agriculture exhibitors presenting on beekeeping, leather-making, water conservation, vermiculture and more. Shoppers can peruse through three commerce halls and the variety of vendors located throughout the Fair, selling the latest kitchen gadgets, unique clothing, home décor, snacks and more.

The 2015 OC Fair, themed "One Big Party," is July 17-August 16 and is celebrating its 125th anniversary with 23 days of food, rides, shopping, exhibits and animals. The Fair is open Wednesday-Friday Noon-Midnight and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-Midnight. Single-day admission is General $12, Senior (60+) / Youth (6-12) $7 and children 5 and younger and active-duty military and veterans with ID are free every day. Concert tickets, action sports reserved seats, single-day general admission and the popular Super Pass are available for purchase online at ocfair.com or from the on-site Box Office. Also, download the free OC Fair iPhone and Android apps available this summer.

The OC Fair & Event Center is located off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. For more information, please visit ocfair.com, become a fan at Facebook.com/OCFair, follow us at twitter.com/ocfair or call (714) 708-1500.