Orange County Fair: 125 years of things changing, but mostly staying the same

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2 OC Fair Ribbon

Each year, over one million Orange County and Los Angeles residents attend the Orange County Fair. This year was no different. The OC Fair celebrated its 125th Anniversary with exhibits and attractions that included bands, a gigantic commemorative sand art cake, an ice skating rink, the Fair Play art exhibit, a 5k fun run, rides, carnival games, a cattle drive, and, of course, lots of fair food.

Cowboy Salutes Crowd During OC Fair Cattle Drive
Cowboy Salutes Crowd During OC Fair Cattle Drive

The first OC Fair took place in 1890, shortly after the County of Orange was formed. It began as a small gathering in Santa Ana, undergoing several moves and changes in ownership before finding a home in 1949 in the then unincorporated city of Costa Mesa. The Costa Mesa Fairgrounds have been home to the celebration ever since.

 

Fairgoers Stand in Line for Ride
Fairgoers Stand in Line for Ride

The fair has been a longstanding tradition for many OC residents, spanning the generational gap. Carnival rides and fair food haven’t changed all that much over the past century, and, in many ways, the modern fair experience is very similar to what it was 125 years ago.

Aerial View of OC Fair
Aerial View of OC Fair

There have been some notable changes, though. Fairgoers now have smart phones that they use to take selfies before posting them on social media. The OC Fair even has its own app (2015 OC Fair) and website (ocfair.com). The buzz of surveillance drones filming can also be heard overhead.

Fairgoer Eyes Concessions
Fairgoer Eyes Concessions

In spite of these changes, modern technology has still found no substitute for the experience of ordering a frozen banana and taking a ride on the Ferris wheel. It’s a simple formula, but it works. The fair shows no signs of stopping. At this rate, it seems likely that the OC Fair will continue to be around for another 125 years.

The OC Fair
The OC Fair
The author stands with her family next to Giant Celebratory Sand Cake.
The author stands with her family next to Giant Celebratory Sand Cake.