2012 OC Fair returns this Friday, July 13, Noon-Midnight

2012 OC Fair Returns This Friday, July 13, Noon-Midnight

This year’s “Home Sweet Home” theme brings 23 days of sights, sounds and tastes of home

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 11, 2012) – The 2012 OC Fair will open its gates this Friday for the start of 23 days of food and fun from July 13-August 12 (open Wednesday-Sunday). Themed “Home Sweet Home,” the annual event returns with carnival rides, games, special engagements, live entertainment and deep-fried delicacies, plus culinary contests, celebrity chefs and new food items such as The Big Rib, deep-fried cereal and a Bacon A-Fair.

During the first hour of this year’s Fair (Friday, July 13, Noon-1 p.m), everyone can take advantage of free admission and parking for Opening Hour. The adventure continues with the $2 Taste of Fair Food event when Fairgoers can sample a variety of their favorite Fair food for only $2 each every Friday Noon-4 p.m.

Helping kick off a summer of music and comedy at the 2012 Fair is Willie Nelson & Family performing in the Pacific Amphitheatre at 8 p.m. as part of the Toyota Summer Concert Series. Tribute band Journey Unauthorized will perform at 8:30 p.m. to start off the concert series in The Hangar and X-Treme Freestyle Moto-X starts off the season of adrenaline in the Action Sports Arena at 8 p.m. Pacific Amphitheatre and The Hangar concert tickets and Action Sports Arena reserved seats include free Fair admission for the same day, so concert-goers and action sports junkies are invited to come enjoy the Fair before their show or hang-out afterward for some food and fun.

Other events for the first weekend of the 2012 OC Fair (July 13-15) include:

Friday, July 13 (Open Noon-Midnight)

Seniors Day-$6 admission for guests 60 and older plus free Ferris wheel and merry-go-round rides all day
$2 Rides & Games (Until 4 p.m.)

Saturday, July 14 (Open 10 a.m.-Midnight)

Happy Together Tour in the Pacific Amphitheatre (8 p.m.)
“Led Zeppelin Live” Starring Heartbreaker in The Hangar (8:30 p.m.)
38th Annual Speedway Fair Derby in the Action Sports Arena (8 p.m.)
Rise & Shine – $2 admission (10 a.m.-11 a.m.)
Free Parking & Shuttle Service from the Experian parking structure located off the Bristol St. exit of the northbound I-405 and the Avenue of the Arts exit of the southbound I-405. Hours of operation: 10 a.m.-Midnight.
OC Fair Express – Receive a coupon for $2 Fair admission for that day when using special route directly from 7 different OCTA transit locations. $1.50 for one-way and $3 for round-trip. Visit octa.com/ocfairexpress for transit locations and times.

Sunday, July 15 (Open 10 a.m.-Midnight)

Matisyahu / Katchafire in the Pacific Amphitheatre (7 p.m.)
TNT – Paying Tribute to AC/DC in The Hangar (8:30 p.m.)
OC Fair Kart Racing Challenge in the Action Sports Arena (6 p.m.)
Rise & Shine – $2 admission (10 a.m.-11 a.m.)
Free Parking & Shuttle Service from the Experian parking structure located off the Bristol St. exit of the northbound I-405 and the Avenue of the Arts exit of the southbound I-405. Hours of operation: 10 a.m.-Midnight.
OC Fair Express – Receive a coupon for $2 Fair admission for that day when using special route directly from 7 different OCTA transit locations. $1.50 for one-way and $3 for round-trip. Visit octa.com/ocfairexpress for transit locations and times.

Throughout the 2012 OC Fair (July 13-August 12), Fairgoers can also enjoy:

• Heroes Get in Free: Free admission each day for active duty and veteran military with appropriate ID.
• Read & Ride Program: Children (ages 5-11) who read and submit a two-book report form receive three free carnival rides. Visit ocfair.com for the form and instructions on submitting.
• Free Exhibits and Events: Chocolate Unwrapped: Beans, Bars & Bon Bons in the Exhibit Promenade; all-day Let Freedom Ring Exhibit in Park Plaza & daily Salute to Heroes presentation in The Hangar at 8:20 p.m.; Museum of Neon Art in the Visual Arts Gallery; Girl Scouts: From Cookie Pro to CEO – 100 Years of Building Leaders exhibit in Memorial Gardens; and Karaoke Rockstarz 7-10 p.m. on Meadows Stage. All free with Fair admission.
• Visit ocfair.com/thefair for a full listing of each day’s offerings.

Smartphone users can also download the free OC Fair app (available for iPhone and Android phones) to find their favorite Fair food booths or events.

The 2012 OC Fair, themed Home Sweet Home, is July 13 – August 12 and will bring 23 days of food, rides, exhibits, animals, music, action sports and fun, as well as the Super Pass, Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena. The Fair is open Wednesday-Sunday. Concert tickets, action sports reserved seats and single-day general admission are available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com or from the on-site Box Office. The popular Super Pass, which offers the passholder 23 days of admission, is available for purchase from any onsite box office or ticket booth.

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.

Get excited for the 2012 Fair! Watch our new commercial on YouTube.

###