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.
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