Fairgoers get into the fold

“In a digital world of instant gratification, there’s still no such thing as instant origami,” said Rodel Duldulao, crane in hand. He was one of the many visitors who stopped by the origami workshop Friday at the Main Mall of the Orange County Fair.

During the workshop, fairgoers sat down for one-on-one tutoring with the several instructors who were on hand for the event. The tables were blanketed with various origami creations such as flowers, spinners, boxes and trademark cranes.

Instructor John Andrisan specializes in making a different kind of flying creature: a fighter jet.

“I learned how to make origami F-14s after I answered an ad at the back of a Popular Science Magazine,” he said. “They weren’t hard to do; you just have to understand the language of the diagrams.”

According to Andrisan, origami was a great way to pass time during tiresome business meetings.

“When I worked at McDonnell Douglas, I would fold paper during long meetings. My boss would ask what I was doing, and I would tell him I fold under pressure,” he said.

Over the years, Andrisan has learned to make the planes within minutes.

“It probably takes about 25 minutes to make, and 30 minutes to teach,” he said.

Beverly Baudino was another of the teachers present at the workshop.

“I like the challenge of creating,” she said. “There are different levels of origami. You can have anywhere from three to 60 pieces.”

Origami is a widely applicable skill, Baudino said. “Origami is used in air bags, parachutes and even umbrellas,” she said.

Baudino said the craft has played a part in making her more patient.

“I think origami creates patience,” she said. “I never knew I was a patient person, but evidently I have become one.”

Matthew Gold, 14, came to the workshop to refine his origami skills.

“I made an origami armadillo,” he said. “It probably took me about 10 minutes. It was much harder than anything I’ve ever done before.”

According to Matthew, the craft requires a fair degree of creativity.

“I like origami because of the imagination it takes to change a piece of paper to something else,” he said.

According to instructor Carol Stevens, one of the goals of the event was to hook the interest of fairgoers.

“We are doing a lot of simple stuff so that beginners can learn,” she said. “It’s a great skill to learn — it doesn’t matter your age, sex, or culture. Everybody folds.”

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Things to Do

Horse Exhibit

The Livestock area will feature an exhibit on these fascinating creatures all day.

Lawn Care Presentation

Learn how to choose and maintain a water-efficient lawn at the Fair’s Centennial Farm. At 1:30 p.m. in the Millennium Barn, John Domenici will instruct fair-goers on how to save water while caring for your lawn; no extra admission required.

Beach City Cloggers

Bring your clogs and get ready to dance! The group will perform at the Main Mall Stage at 5:15 p.m.

They Said It

“The fair is really big. I like the giant Ferris wheel. And I liked the baby pigs; they were so cute! The hot dogs are huge — one more bite and I’ll puke!”

— Jordan Gass, 10

“I liked the yo-yo ride and the funnel cake. I want to go on more rides before I leave.”

— Kathryn Erskine, 10