The Orange County Fair means many things to many people: it’s a rare chance to see extreme rodeo, livestock giving birth, ice carvers displaying their frozen art, and largest and freakiest homegrown vegetables. Plus, there’s the carnival rides.
And don’t forget the top name entertainment at the Pacific Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series, Action Sports Arena, and our all-time favorite our Alaskan pig races. But for many, and you know who you are, the OC Fair is all about food adventures. Fair foodies will be happy to know that the Heart Attack Cafe has added deep-fried butter, cheese crisps (deep-fried cheese quesadilla), and garlic bacon fries (potatoes fried in bacon drippings and smothered with garlic butter and topped with bacon bits). No worries, chocolate-covered bacon has made its return.
And for the first time ever, deep-fried Klondike Bars are making their debut at the Unofficial Fair Fry King Chicken Charlie, along with his famous Krispy Kreme Chicken Sandwich and other deep fried treats: Twinkies, Oreos, S’mores, and frog legs.
Not all of the Fair’s foods will send you to the ER: you can find sushi, fresh hummus, tabouli and ceviche; grilled turkey legs, corn-on-the-cob, salads, and fruit.
The hungriest Fairgoers can find foot-long corn dogs, jumbo sausage sandwiches, giant turkey legs, colossal curly fry cones, or the new 11-inch-wide Belly Buster Burger.
And get a taste of everything for just a buck: Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. food tastings are just $1.
2010 OC Fair runs through Aug. 15. Open noon to midnight Wednesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday. The OC Fair and Event Center is at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. 714.708.1500. ocfair.com.
We haven’t been this excited since The Counter opened its first OC restaurant in Irvine a few years ago! On Monday, The Counter Newport Beach will officially open, and the gourmet burger joint is offering more than 300,000 possible combinations, no kidding! You’re creative, so you’ll want to “Build Your Own Burger” option, just grab a clipboard and check off what you want.
Choose from fresh Angus beef, turkey, grilled chicken or house-made veggie in different sizes, 12 cheeses, 33 toppings, 21 unique sauces and four types of buns. Complement your custom burger with French fries, crispy fried onion rings, our favorite sweet potato fries, chili, and more. There’s a full bar and well-edited selection of handcrafted beer and wine.
Be the first to create (and devour) a custom gourmet burger! The Counter is hosting a pre-opening charity event Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. (lunch) and 5:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. (dinner). 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Orange County Chapter of the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance (TSA).
Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The Counter is in Westcliff Plaza, 1104 Irvine Avenue, Newport Beach. 949.642.0700.
OK, you love music, food, a good party and raising funds for important causes. Then you’ll want to attend the first-ever Giant Orange Festival Saturday at Orange County Great Park in Irvine from noon to 10 p.m. Here’s what’s in store for you: samples from your favorite restaurants, specialty vendors, live music (The English Beat, Bow Wow Wow and others), plus a DJ set from hip hop artist Lil Jon, carnival rides for the kids. And foodies will not want to miss the Celebrity Chef Challenge at noon on the main stage.
Five star chefs including Chef, Helene An of AnQi Bistro/Crusteacean; Chef Mark Kearney of Sabor International; Ed Lee of Wahoo’s; and Chef Pascal Olhats of Pascal. Bruno Serato of Anaheim White House will be judging a cooking competition. All of this fun is for a good cause benefiting a number of nonprofits such as the Wyland Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association of Orange County, Illumination Foundation, Laura’s House and Savannah’s Organic Ranch.
Advanced tickets may be purchased online for $15 at www.giantorangefestival.com or for $20 at the event. A limited number of VIP tickets and suites that include access to party pit at main stage, private VIP pavilion with bars, seating and bathrooms and drink tickets are available.
Orange County Great Park is off Sand Canyon Road and the 5 freeway in Irvine. For tickets or more information call 949.218.0866 or visit www.giantorangefestival.com.
Seed People’s Market at the Camp is having a huge Patagonia summer sale. Through Thursday, receive 30% off hundreds of shorts, swimwear, T-Shirts and more! Everything from board shorts to puff jackets, from camis to capris, People’s Market has a great selection of all organic outdoor gear.
Join Angels coach Micky Hatcher, outfielder Reggie Willits and pitcher Kevin Jepsen at the OC Fair this week on Friday, July 30 from noon to 1 p.m. The first 100 people wearing Angels gear in line at the main gate will receive first access to the autograph signing and a pair of Angels tickets!
Beginning Saturday, the U.S. Open of Surfing will take over Huntington Beach. Opening rounds and trials begin at 7 a.m. with the competition continuing through the next week. Performances by Weezer and Hot Hot Heat, BMX and skate contests and daily surf events highlight the weeklong event. Find what you like on the schedule at the U.S. Open of Surfing’s website.
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