Editorial

Summer wouldn’t be same without a good ol’ county fair.

But thankfully we won’t have to worry about the alternative as the

Orange County Fair officially kicks off Friday with a salute to peppers

that promises to spice up what’s been a somewhat gloomy summer.

Friday’s opening day begins a 17-day extravaganza that is expected to

lure about three quarters of a million people through the fair’s gates

when it’s all said and done.

Celebrating its 108th year in the county, and 51st in Costa Mesa, the

fair is a throwback to a simpler era.

Where else can you watch pig races, view row upon row of knickknacks

and other collections, steal a kiss atop the Ferris wheel, taste the best

strawberry jam, gorge yourself in a pie-eating contest, listen to an

old-time banjo band, munch on barbecue corn and Australian batter-fried

potatoes and catch an aging version of your favorite 1970s rock band all

in one day?

Yes, as you can tell, we look forward to the fair just as much as the

next person.

Sure, the fair has had its share of problems over the years with

dubious carnival workers, malfunctioning rides and protest by animal

rights groups, but pound for pound it’s one of the best sources of fun

for young and old.

So if you haven’t already done so, make some plans to attend the 108th

annual Orange County Fair.

You won’t be disappointed.