The Orange County Fair will open to limited capacity from Friday, July 16 through Sunday, August 15.

In addition to adorable baby pigs at Centennial Farm and more than 70 food vendors, entertainment is coming back to the fair’s Pacific Amphitheatre, in The Hangar, on community stages and throughout the fairgrounds.

On hand to keep fairgoers fed, food vendors include Australian Battered Potatoes, Chuckwagon Wild Hog BBQ, Dutchman’s Funnel Cake, Orange Julius and endless hot dog, burger, cotton candy and chicken options as well as Orange County’s own Dole Whip.


Watermelon Taco with Tajin and Dole Whip (Courtesy OC Fair)

New menu items for 2021 include Taco de Lengua and Taco de Tripa from Pepe’s Mariscos Fresh Mexican Seafood, a 50/50 Brownie Parfait featuring layers of Mom’s 50/50 Brownie and Bavarian cream, piled high whipped cream and mini chocolate chips from Mom’s Bakeshoppe and deep-fried Hot Dog Bites (choose spicy or regular from Pink’s Hot Dogs). Chicken Charlie’s will be offering their Waffle cone with buffalo chicken and mac & cheese as well as Chicken Lumpia topped with ice cream. For adventurers, there’s also Hot Cheeto ‘n’ Cheese Pickles, with fresh-brined, extra-thick crinkle-cut dill pickle chips topped with melted cheddar cheese and crunchy Flamin Hot Cheetos, which can be topped with sliced jalapeños upon request.

This year’s Toyota Summer Concert Series in the Pacific Amphitheatre opens with Brantley Gilbert on July 29 and features Rebelution, Cheap Trick with Blue Oyster Cult, Dwight Yoakam, X with Los Lobos, Cole Swindell and more. Comedian Jo Koy will close out the run of fair-time shows.

In The Hangar, this year’s lineup of tribute bands and more opens with Dead Man’s Party on July 16 and concerts include ABBA L.A., Elton – The Early Years – A Tribute to Elton John, No Duh/Red Not Chili Peppers, Queen Nation, Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez and closes with Atomic Punks/Motley Inc. on Aug. 15.

And yes, the All-Alaskan Racing Pigs will be returning as well on a new track.


Hot Cheetos and Cheese Burger (Courtesy OC Fair)

Key things to know about the 2021 OC Fair

  • A limited number of tickets are available each day
  • Advance online ticket sales only – no transaction fees
  • Tickets are good only for the date purchased; please choose dates carefully – no refunds
  • Same-day fair admission is included with tickets to concerts during the fair
  • OC Fair is not currently planning to increase capacity
  • Ticket prices will not increase
  • Sales are no longer restricted to California residents
  • Masks are required indoors for unvaccinated guests

Tickets are $12 for weekday general admission (Wednesday, Thursday) and $14 for weekend general admission (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Admission for seniors (60+) and youth (ages 6-12) is $7 every day and children 5 and younger are free.

 

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting Irvine Weekly and our advertisers.