Fairgrounds readying for its big act

Deepa Bharath

COSTA MESA -- If summer’s almost here, can the Orange County Fair be

far behind?

Fairground officials say they are excited and all set to “Twist and

Shout” and welcome “the celebration of citrus and sun” -- the theme for

the 109th annual fair. This year the gala will begin July 13 and end July

29.

“Citrus and sun is what Orange County is about,” said Becky

Bailey-Findley, general manager and chief executive of the Orange County

Fair and Exposition Center.

“It is in line with our goal, which is to give a boost to

agriculture,” she said. “And both citrus and sun have played an important

role in agriculture in Orange County.”

The fair has always tried to create a fun environment for families,

Bailey-Findley said.

Over the years, it has evolved into an upbeat event that welcomes and

celebrates the summer season, she said.

“We try to have something to keep everybody entertained,”

Bailey-Findley said.

Fair officials prepare for the event year-round. Just as one year’s

event concludes, they start planning for the next season.

This year, they have lined up several new exhibits and events for

fair-goers, Bailey-Findley said.

“We’re really excited about our ‘I Love Lucy’ exhibit,” she said.

“It’s the 50th anniversary of the Lucy show, and we’re sure it’ll make a

lot of fans happy.”

The Lucy exhibit is an interactive one in which visitors can reenact

immortal scenes from the 1950s comedy series, including the stomping in

the wine vat.

Other highlights include demonstrations by celebrity chefs Tommy Tang

and Graham Kerr, and such spectacular rides as the 15-story-high La Grand

Wheel.

“It’s as high as the Millennium Wheel is Paris,” Bailey-Findley said.

“If Costa Mesa and Newport Beach residents ride the wheel, they should be

able to find their homes.”

The Arlington Theater, which features the fair’s popular concert

series, has gotten bigger this year. Its capacity has been increased from

6,500 seats to 9,000. Of the 9,000 seats, 1,500 are available for advance

booking.

“Aside from the 1,500, the rest of the seats will be free as usual,”

Bailey-Findley said.

The fair will also feature animals and agricultural exhibits from the

fairgrounds’ Centennial Farm.

Orange County has a rich agricultural history, said Jerome Hoban,

assistant manager of Centennial Farm.

“We plan to have several citrus exhibits in keeping with the theme of

the fair,” he said. “We hope to highlight the growth of the citrus

industry over the years, packing houses and the equipment they used.”

Apart from the citrus, Centennial Farm will also feature the regulars,

Hoban said.

“Our baby pigs and calves are favorites,” he said. “The baby animals

are always a big hit.”

But more than anything else, the fair is an opportunity for locals to

“come home,” Bailey-Findley said.

“It’s festive,” she said. “It’s like a homecoming, something to expect

every summer.”