Holy cow! It’s the fair

Whether they’re being eaten, petted or herded, cows abound at this year’s Orange County Fair, opening today and running through Aug. 5.

Set to the theme of “Cowabunga! The Year of Herefords, Surfers & Sand,” the fair honors Orange County’s ranching history and its more contemporary surf culture with themed attractions.

A herd of 300 Corriente steers will parade through Costa Mesa beginning at Fairview Park and proceeding south on Placentia Avenue before entering the fair through Gate 2 at Vanguard Way.

For $15, food lovers can enjoy the Hucowamongous Burger, a tower of three half-pound beef patties.

Surf bands will appear nightly on the Main Mall Stage.

The fair introduces the Family Fair Way, which features the Kiddie Carnival, Kids Park, elephant rides and Cowabunga Beach, where families can enjoy contests, entertainment and crafts.

The fair welcomes back “Weird Al” Yankovic, who will perform daily at 8 p.m. from July 17 to 21, “Orange Crush” Demolition Derby and the stars of Mexican freestyle wrestling for Lucha Libre.

“Weird Al’s show is highly entertaining, very funny and very accessible to families,” said Steve Beazley, senior vice president of the fair.

Willie Nelson is set to perform at the Pacific Amphitheatre tonight; Earth, Wind & Fire on Sunday; and Fergie on Aug. 3.

Also new to the fair is Hungarian artist Ferenc Cako, who will present his sand animation nightly at 8:15 and 10 p.m. on the Plaza Arts Stage.

— Jessie Brunner

FOR YOUR INFO

Schedule

The fair runs today through Aug. 5. It is open noon to midnight Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturdays and Sundays, and is closed Mondays. The Orange County Fair & Exposition Center is at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.

Admission

General admission is $8; tickets are $6 for seniors, $4 for children 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under.

Special Deals

Today: Admission and parking are free from noon to 1 p.m.; all active-duty military, law enforcement and fire personnel with valid ID receive free admission for two from 1 to 6 p.m.

July 18: Free admission from noon to 6 p.m. for anyone who donates five nonperishable food items.

Aug. 1: Free admission and carnival ride from noon to 6 p.m. with the donation of one new children’s book or three used children’s books.

Tuesdays: Kids 12 and under are admitted free all day.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays: Guests receive unlimited carnival rides with the purchase of a $20 wristband.

Thursdays: Senior admission is reduced to $4 and they receive free merry-go-round and Ferris wheel rides.

Thursdays and Fridays: All carnival rides are $1 until 8 p.m.

Parking

General parking is available in lots 2 through 10 for $5, and preferred parking and bus/limousine parking is $10.

Free parking is available at Orange Coast College and Costa Mesa High School, and Saturdays and Sundays free parking and shuttle service is provided from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. at the Experian parking structure at 475 Anton Blvd.

For more information, go to www.ocfair.com or call (714) 708-FAIR.

FANTASTIC FEATURES

Sand Sculptures

Professionally crafted, 1,000-ton sand sculptures will be at the main entrance. Children will also have an opportunity to build their own creations in the giant sandbox inside Cowabunga Beach.

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan, performing at 7 p.m. on July 26, is sure to attract a large crowd as one of many big-name artists on stage at the Pacific Amphitheatre in conjunction with the fair.

Deep-fried Snickers

Snickers candy bars are one of the many deep-fried treats at the fair this year.

“Deep-fried has become synonymous with fairs,” said Steve Beazley, senior vice president of the fair.