Kids get cozy with creepy critters

Tuesday wasn’t the first time 9-year-old Ian McKee held a snake, though he was “sort of” afraid of the 10-foot, 60-pound Burmese python that wrapped around his neck as he posed for a photo.

Along with a group of children from the YWCA of Orange County, Ian visited the Webs, Wings & Creepy Things exhibit featuring Prehistoric Pets at the Orange County Fair, where it will be open all day for the duration of the fair.

“It feels sort of weird, like a tingly feeling,” he said. “You’re sort of scared it’s going to wrap around and squeeze you, but it’s really cool.”

Prehistoric Pets, a reptile retailer in Fountain Valley, showed off dozens of species to fairgoers, including 90-pound African spurred tortoises, a bearded dragon and a 17-foot albino reticulated python, the longest snake species in the world.

Accompanied by her friend’s children, Jennie Bolotin of Huntington Beach said the exhibit was the first thing that interested the 13- and 8-year-old boys, barring hot dogs.

“We’ve been eating and wandering around, and now we’re looking at icky bugs,” she said.

Cristina Francois, a member of the Biology Graduate Student Club at Cal State Fullerton, organized the other half of the exhibit, which included numerous insects and arachnids, educational activities and novelty items like chocolate-dipped bugs.

“Insects are a gateway for kids to get into science,” said Francois, 26. “It helps them realize how important they are and that we are all part of the same habitat, so we’ve got to keep it clean and healthy.”

Children bombarded her with questions about the creepy-crawlies, first wanting to know if they bite, and second, if they could touch them.

“Ewww, look at those giant ones,” 8-year-old Kayla Cooper said, pointing to a tank of Madagascar hissing cockroaches.

“I’m not scared of nothing!” Tavion Monroe exclaimed as he hopped away from the desert hairy scorpion over to the butterfly display case.

When the room isn’t crowded, children can hold some of the insects.

“The animals get a little stressed out when it’s this busy,” Francois said.

Fairgoers can visit the Webs, Wings & Creepy Things Exhibit anytime during the fair. It is in the Youth-in-Motion Gallery in the Main Mall.

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THINGS TO DO

DAUGHTRY

Former “American Idol” contestant Chris Daughtry is the frontman for this Teen Choice Award-nominated modern rock band. Their self-titled album debuted last year and spent 14 weeks as the number one album on the Billboard Top Rock Albums list.

The show begins at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Amphitheatre, with 12 Stones opening. Tickets are available at www.ocfair.com/pacificamphitheatre for $39.50.

COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS

Chef Alan Greeley from the Golden Truffle and pastry chef Rani Haj from the Sunflower Bakery will hold cooking demonstrations at 4:30 and 6 p.m. respectively at the Home Arts & Crafts Gallery and Stage in the Main Mall.

SUMMER FOOD DRIVE

From noon to 6 p.m. at all entry gates, fairgoers receive free admission with the donation of five nonperishable food items.

Proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.