Lots for kids to do at the OC Fair including free fun

COSTA MESA – The OC Fair always brings the fun and we know that families count on making summer memories when they visit. Here are some tips for a great trip to the Fair with kids:

• Explorium adventure: Located in OC Promenade, the Explorium area for kids has been transformed into a fun and informative Bug Bizarre. Explore this year’s Bug Bizarre Exhibit where touchable displays and hands-on demonstrations will immerse you into the exotic world of bugs! Visitors will also have the chance to learn from an expert entomologist about these critters’ intricate ecosystems, ecological importance and how different cultures utilize insects in their daily lives.
• Daily crafts, contests and games are at the adjacent Promenade Stage. See the 2023 OC Fair app or visit ocfair.com/oc-fair/things-to-do/activities/ for a daily schedule.
• Read & Ride + Carnival: Of course the kids will want to go on rides, and what better way to motivate them beforehand than with the Read & Ride program. Kids ages 5-11 can earn two free carnival rides by reading three books and writing (or drawing) a short summary. Use the form at ocfair.com/readandride and turn it in to the RCS guest services booth in the main carnival area. And families can snap photos of the kids with those giant stuffed animals! Here’s all the info on carnival rides and games: ocfair.com/oc-fair/things-to-do/carnival/.
• Painted faces and smiling faces: There are two face painting booths where Fairgoers can be transformed into superheroes, favorite animals or flower-festooned fairies. Also look for henna and festival glitter booths for more temporary body art. Don’t forget to stop by one of the photo booths to capture those happy moments.
• Animals you can touch or watch: The Great American Petting Farm is the place to be if the kids are obsessed with animals. Located next to Green Gate, this petting zoo is full of animals that are far from shy – in fact, they’ll follow you around all day if you let them! Don’t forget to stop by Centennial Farm as well, OC Fair’s year-round working farm that features goats, cows, bunnies and brand-new piglets that were recently born!
• Animals you can cheer on: One of the Fair’s most popular attractions is the All-Alaskan Pig Races, located this year in the Plaza Pacifica area. The races are a hoot for all ages, and take place daily. Plus, the Oasis Camel Dairy exhibit will be in the livestock area for the final two weeks of the Fair and families can watch the babies and learn all about these exotic creatures.
• Entertainment: Magician Frank Thurston puts on kid-friendly shows daily in OC Promenade and there are local performers of all ages on community stages during the day. Roving entertainers include the Red Light Brass Band, Veekay the clown and others delighting guests as they move throughout the Fair. The OC Fair’s own costumed characters, The Foodies, Oliva Orange, Strawberry Jan, Sunny Lemon, Arturo Churro and Cornelius Corn are at the giant OC Fair letters and outside The Hangar daily for picture opportunities.
• New this year: The Flying Royals, located near Green Gate, thrill Fairgoers with their aerial acrobatics and daring feats way up high. Shows take place every 30 minutes. Back this year – the splash fountain in front of The Hangar is back on!
• Food and treats: $4 Taste of the Fair Food is offered on Thursdays until 4 p.m., giving Fairgoers a chance to try select samples of food from every vendor for just $4 each – and these are the perfect size for the kids as well! It’s a great way to try the foods without filling up on too much sugar. To just look at sugar, check out the sugar arts winners on display in the OC Promenade – the cakes are amazing. Many food options are great for sharing and there are several take-and-bake choices or buckets of goodies to bring home.
• Arts & crafts: Stop by the tent in front of Heroes Hall so the kids can color postcards for veterans and troops while they learn all about the sacrifice our servicemen and servicewomen make every day. In the Visual Arts Building kids and adults can see all the blue ribbon-winning competition entries that include youth project divisions. It’s always fun to look at the woodworking, quilts and more in the home arts area. And this is the perfect spot to cool off during the day. Look for special entries from local Girl Scout troops.
• Shop for fun: The shopping buildings located in the Main Mall have some toy booths and fun options, plus plenty of family items for purchase. There are also great shopping options in Crafters Village where artisan and other shops sell everything from fossils to sun hats.

Bonus! Here are 5 tips for parents and families:

• Photo ops: There are classic photo booths as well as several cutouts throughout the Fairgrounds. There is a great concentration of these in the OC Promenade. Also check food vendors like Eddie’s Asian Inspired Cuisine and Australian Battered Potatoes for more cutouts.
• Baby changing station: Located to the left of The Hangar building and behind the west end of the Sky Ride.
• No lines in the mornings: The Fair opens at 11 a.m. and parking is a breeze, no lines for rides and games and there is plenty of elbow room.
• What to bring: Bring along your wagon, snacks, extra baggies for leftover Fair food and a soft-sided cooler to keep it all fresh. Factory-sealed water bottles are OK as are refillable water bottles that can be filled at our water stations.
• Safety: Find a landmark and designate it as a meeting place if you plan on separating. Be aware that the Guest Services and Lost & Found offices are located to the left of The Hangar building.

Key things to know about the 2023 OC Fair:

• A limited number of tickets are available each day – some days are selling out
• Advance online ticket sales only – no transaction fees
• Tickets are good only for the date purchased; please choose dates carefully – no refunds
• Same-day Fair admission is included with tickets to concerts during the Fair
• OC Fair is not currently planning to increase capacity which is capped at 45,000 daily
• Masks are required indoors for unvaccinated guests

Tickets are $13 weekday general admission (Wednesday, Thursday) and $15 weekend general admission (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Admission for seniors (60+) and youth (ages 6-12) is $9 every day and children 5 and younger are free.

The 2023 OC Fair mobile app is now available with information on daily activities as well as a map, news & information and tickets. Search for “ocfair 2023” in your app store.

The Fair will open each day at 11 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. except on Fridays and Saturdays, when it closes at midnight.

General parking is $12, $24 for buses and limos, credit card only. Carnival tickets are also on sale now so Fairgoers can skip the ticket booths, and tickets for concerts in The Hangar and Pacific Amphitheatre can be found at ocfair.com/entertainment.

OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California, is home to the annual OC Fair. Year-round attractions include Centennial Farm, Table of Dignity, Heroes Hall and Pacific Amphitheatre. OC Fair & Event Center also hosts year-round events. For more information, visit ocfair.com.

Support of OC Fair & Event Center provides year-round educational opportunities and helps fund community give-back programs.