After 16 months of an un-fair pandemic, O.C. Fair organizers say it’ll soon be ‘Time for Fun’
Costa Mesa’s Orange County fairgrounds stayed busy throughout the pandemic —offering COVID-19 tests, vaccinations and hosting a number of drive-through events — but for the first time in a long while, the site is getting back to what it does best.
The 164-foot La Grande Wheel XL is being assembled, carnival game booths are coming into form and farm animals are being groomed for the auction block in preparation for the 2021 O.C. Fair, which runs July 16 through Aug. 15.
This year’s theme “Time for Fun” couldn’t be more fitting, after organizers pulled the plug on last year’s festival at the beginning of a pandemic only now is showing signs of receding.
Since crew trucks started rolling onto the fairgrounds in mid-June, the same time California businesses began reopening with fewer restrictions, a collective feeling of elation has begun to surface, according to Michele Richards, chief executive of the OC Fair & Event Center.
“This is who we are, and this is what we do, and not getting to do that this past year was very sad,” she said Tuesday. “We’re now getting to do what we’re trained to do, what we’re experienced in doing. So, there’s a joy that comes with that.”
Some aspect of this year’s event will be a little different from typical fairs. For instance, organizers plan to cap admission to 45,000 per day, and all tickets must be reserved online in advance. Once capacity has been reached, the day will be sold out.
Touch-free security gates and even concession sales will be in place to keep visitors safe.
“There’s going to be fewer booths and attractions,” said OCFEC spokeswoman Terry Moore. “We’re spreading things out on the fairgrounds just to give everybody more room.”
And while attendees who’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to remain unmasked, those who are not fully vaccinated must wear facial coverings when indoors.
Richards said officials began envisioning different versions of a modified-capacity fair as early as October 2020. And although attendance restrictions may have been lifted, organizers decided to stick with a 75% capacity model that had earned a blessing from the Orange County Health Care Agency.
The reduced crowds will give guests space, while reducing impacts to the surrounding neighborhood and maintaining fiscal viability, Richards added.
Officials had previously estimated that, at 50% capacity, the 2021 fair would take in about $20.3 million in revenue which, after expenses, would earn $6.4 million in net proceeds. Richards said Tuesday, the current 75% configuration would increase that net gain.
With little more than two weeks remaining, O.C. Fair employees and operators can’t wait for the fun to begin.
“We’ve been through such a challenging time as a community, and people are really feeling joy at the simple things that are coming back,” Richards said. “Now that’s all coming back, it truly is a time for fun.”
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.
