Record more than fair

Jeff Benson

Maybe the candied apples were tastier this year.

Or perhaps the rides were better maintained than they’ve been in

years past. It could’ve meant the artwork was more artsy, the clowns

more clown-like, the entertainment more entertaining and the lines

less laborious.

Maybe it was a stronger economy or an unscheduled appearance by

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on his birthday. Maybe it was a younger

generation of racing pigs or a star-studded musical and comedic

lineup.

Whatever it was, something struck a chord in the Orange County

Fair’s 24-day run. A record 941,594 people toppled through the

turnstiles from July 9 through 6 p.m. Sunday, and even more were

expected for Sunday’s capper, a beer-fest with rockers ZZ Top. Last

year, the fair welcomed 881,596.

“We’re just so pleased that we had so many people as have been

reported coming to the fair and enjoying it,” fair Chief Executive

Becky Bailey-Findley said. “We’ve been putting together a lot of

programs, and especially this year we’ve been doing a lot to tailor

our offerings in line with what customers told us they wanted last

year.

“It may be an indication that the economy is improving, since

people are spending money on food and entertainment and at the

carnival. It’s a strong indicator to us that people are out having a

good time and bringing more pocket money this year.”

Bailey-Findley called this year “a year of refinement” in which

people got used to changes made in 2003. Some of those additions

included 700 new parking spots, additional shaded seating and tables,

a new janitorial program and new trash management that cleans the

Pacific Amphitheatre and Citizens Business Bank Arena after their

nightly shows.

“Adding that many new features and changes to our culture gave a

sense that things were just a little unsettled last year,”

Bailey-Findley said. “This year, we’re more used to the changes.”

In a 20-minute speech Friday, Schwarzenegger talked about his

successes since taking office in November and thanked voters for

helping pass the state budget.

“There’s a phrase going around the fairgrounds lately: ‘Lots of

smiles on lots of faces,’” Bailey-Findley said. “That sort of theme

and tone has carried throughout the fair. We started with our

pre-fair event, ‘A Taste of the Fair,’ and a beautiful fireworks

show. The opening weekend set a nice momentum. People have really

enjoyed the attractions, the food, retail and exhibits, so it’s been

great.”

Another success, Bailey-Findley said, was having separate stands

set up around the fairgrounds to sell tickets for the Pacific

Amphitheatre’s shows and reduce the ticket lines for those just

trying to get into the fair.

The Pacific Amphitheatre lineup included Reba McEntire,

Hoobastank, The Righteous Bros., Train, Ozomatli, Carrot Top, Hootie

& The Blowfish, Patti Labelle, Bill Cosby, The Go-Go’s, Hank

Williams, Jr., Jackson Browne, John Fogerty, Sugar Ray, Jessica

Simpson and ZZ Top. “Weird Al” Yankovic and The Funk Brothers wowed

crowds at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

Don Henley’s Thursday concert at the Pacific Amphitheatre was

marred by controversy when the former Eagles frontman made several

political comments between songs. The crowd began booing him after he

said, “Given what my good friend Linda Ronstadt ...”

Henley also threw jabs Thursday at the country’s inability to

foster civil debate. He then sang Randy Newman’s “Political Science,”

which envisions the United States launching nuclear weapons on the

rest of the world, adding he felt it could be sung as a duet by

President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

Some people reportedly headed for the exits. Bailey-Findley said

administrators have not begun investigating Henley’s political

statements but added that they expect to soon.

“The fair has not officially done a review or an evaluation or

made any decision about that at all,” Bailey-Findley said. “We spend

a lot of time evaluating the entire fair program and the Pacific

Amphitheatre is a part of that. We spend a lot of time on

evaluation.”

Bailey-Findley anticipated it’ll take about a week to deconstruct

the rides and clean up all remnants from the fairgrounds. The Orange

County Marketplace resumes and Boston will perform at the

amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

A $10-million renovation of the Pacific Amphitheatre will begin in

November and should conclude sometime between August and December,

2005, Bailey-Findley said. She expects the theater to be open to

spectators during next year’s construction project.

* JEFF BENSON is the news assistant and may be reached at (949)

574-4298 or by e-mail at jeff.benson@latimes.com.