Fair bans exhibitors’ camps

When one of Karen Allred’s prized goats got its head stuck between a fence railing in the pen late one night at the Orange County Fair, Allred couldn’t come quickly to help the animal. Instead of camping nearby, Allred was more than a mile away in her Costa Mesa hotel room.

For the first time many can remember, exhibitors like Allred are no longer allowed to camp for free on the fairgrounds because of the ever-expanding fair’s need for more space. Some exhibitors say they love the Orange County Fair but may not return next year because bunking off-site jeopardizes the safety of their animals and puts a squeeze on their expenses.

“If we can’t camp here and stay with our animals, then we can’t exhibit here with our animals,” said Allred, who’s been exhibiting at the fair for more than 20 years.

The change in camping rules has resulted in an estimated 20% drop in livestock exhibitors at this year’s fair.

Allred’s goat was fine after it was freed by two fellow exhibitors who had stayed late that night, but she said the incident was scary and doesn’t know whether she will come back to the fair if the camping is no longer available.

Fellow exhibitors Sandy and Jay VanEcho agree.

“When you’re with animals, it’s like your kids ? you gotta always be checking on them,” Jay VanEcho said.

Fair officials said the fair is growing, and the space was needed for expanding exhibits and parking.

“We are pressed for space for everything,” said fair CEO Becky Bailey-Findley.

People employed by the fair’s carnival company, Ray Cammack Shows, are still allowed to camp. The camping has never been official, and its demise has been several years coming, Livestock Coordinator Jennifer Withrow said.

“They’re upset about it, and we are, too. I just don’t know what to do about the space,” Withrow said.

With the exhibitors no longer staying at the fairgrounds, the fair livestock office patrols the barns and can contact exhibitors via cell phone if necessary, Withrow said.

The VanEchos drove from Tucson for their third appearance at the fair with their herd of Oberhasli dairy goats. The couple, who visit several fairs each summer with their award-winning herd, said the Orange County Fair is their favorite because of the clean fairgrounds and friendly people.

But after paying $300 to park their RV in Huntington Beach and traveling several hours each day, VanEcho said this year could be their last.

“That is where you scratch your head and say, ‘Oh my gosh, can we really afford to do this?’”

FROM THE FAIR

Friday’s attendance: 47,556

Saturday’s attendance: 35,772

Best Bet: Take a trip to the Wild West without leaving Orange County and check out the Fiesta del Charro bull riding at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Washington Mutual Arena. Seating is limited and first-come, first-served. Free with regular fair admission.