Lotto tickets prove fruitful at fair

Though it’s difficult to imagine, a trip to the fair proved a profitable venture for Cheryl and Jacob McCoy.

It’s the only time of the year when the Costa Mesa couple plays the California Lottery, and on Wednesday they walked away with $1,000 thanks to one lucky Scratcher.

“We have never won before, and at first, I didn’t even realize it,” Cheryl McCoy said. “When I found out, I was so excited. I couldn’t believe it.”

Selling about $13,000 worth of tickets each day and up to $22,000 on the weekends, Mitri Manneh enjoys seeing the smiles on customers faces when they win, especially last weekend when one man shrieked with delight after uncovering a $500,000 prize.

As the owner of Sir Charles Liquor on Bristol Street and Alta Dena Dairy on Baker Street, he was selected to run the fair booth because of the high volume of tickets he sells at both stores. This year, he is setting a record for fair ticket sales.

“The fair is the best place to play the lottery because we are giving out a lot of free Scratchers,” Manneh said, balancing his books at one of the plastic patio tables behind the trailer. “They can bring their beer and their sandwiches here and relax in the shade — do whatever they want to do.”

The shade drew fairgoers Dorrie and Lenny Morris to the lotto area, where 20 years ago, they won $500. On Thursday, their endeavor paid off with a few bucks and a free ticket.

“It’s just fun,” Lenny Morris said. “You always hope that you will eventually scratch and get the real big one.”

While the fair is running, Manneh’s days begin at 5:30 a.m., when he opens his dairy store and ends when the fair booth closes at 11 p.m.

He’s as invested in each Super Lotto ticket sale as the buyer, but not solely because of his right to half a percentage of the prize.

“The free advertising you can get out of it is worth more than the money you make,” he said. “I know that one day, someone’s going to hit the lotto at my place.”

And if the pot gets big enough, he will even buy a few tickets.

“I play, too,” Manneh said. “I don’t want to work all my life.”

To see more photos of the Orange County Fair, click here.

TO DO:

EDIBLE CRAFTS

Edith Brix of the Orange County Herb Society will teach fairgoers how to make edible centerpieces using veggies and herbs at 4 p.m. today in the Silo Building.

For more information, go to www.ocherbsoc.org.

HEART TO PERFORM

Take a trip back to the ‘70s with the band behind hits such as “Barracuda” and “Crazy on You.” Accompanied by The Bangles, Heart will rock the Pacific Amphitheatre at 7 p.m.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.ocfair.com.

SAND ANIMATION

Watch art appear before your eyes as Sand Animation Master Ferenc Cako presents his craft nightly at 8:15 and 10 p.m. on the Plaza Arts Stage. For more information, go to www.sandanimation.com.