Venue Defends Planning Shows During Fair

COSTA MESA —  The Pacific Amphitheatre scheduled three concerts during this year’s Orange County Fair only after fair officials consistently “rebuffed” offers to use the venue for fair events, amphitheater general manager Susan Rosenbluth said Wednesday.

Officials of the amphitheater, which is on the fairgrounds but which operates independently, have been criticized for scheduling shows by Gloria Estefan, Joe Cocker and Guns N’ Roses during the fair, which runs July 17 through 28. Hoping to ease the severe traffic problems that are expected to result, amphitheater officials have expanded park-and-ride options for concert-goers (see box).

The fair attracts about 25,000 visitors each weekday and 50,000 to 70,000 each weekend day. In addition, the amphitheater holds 18,765. There are 8,100 parking spaces at the fairgrounds.

“Fair officials have rebuffed suggestions over the years that they use the amphitheater for fair events,” Rosenbluth said. “We gave them notice this year that if they weren’t interested in using the amphitheater, then we would.”

In April, after the Estefan concert was announced, Costa Mesa City Manager Allan L. Roeder and Orange County Fair General Manager Norbert Bartosik had both tried to persuade amphitheater officials to reschedule the show, citing potential problems with traffic and security.

The last time a concert was held at the amphitheater during the fair was a Beach Boys show in 1986. Rosenbluth said amphitheater operators became frustrated at seeing the venue sit idle during the peak of the outdoor concert season.

“The amphitheater only has so many available days, even in Southern California,” Rosenbluth said. “In our agreement with the fairgrounds, we have a clear right to use the amphitheater, even during fair times.”

Bartosik confirmed that amphitheater officials have offered use of the venue for fair events, and that “it’s an option that we’re continuing to discuss with them.”