OC Fair

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
irvinehomeowner

irvinehomeowner

Well-known member
In all my years here... I don't think I've ever gone... not sure... my college days recollect some fair thing but I might be confusing that with Irvine's Harvest Festival Fair.

So we went... and it's what you expect at a fair. Animals, rides, over the top (and expensive) food, beer and lots of walking.

We had our kids with us and instead of spending more money on the rides, we took them to the free stuff... the All-Alaskan Pig Races (did not know there were pigs in Alaska), the Family Area (it's like a mini carnival where there are tons of things to play with, a juggler show and a reptile exhibit), the animal areas, the Millenium Farm, and the Arts and Crafts area. We missed the Carnival of Products (where you get to see all those As Seen On TV presentations) but just that stuff burned about 5 hours.

We did splurge on one thing... the pony ride ($7 per kid) but seeing as they've only ridden on fake horses on the carousels, it seemed worth it.

The later it got, the more crowded and smokey (from all the bbq food) it got... and although I wanted to try one of the deep fried heart attack foods or the $10 gigantic corn dog... my wallet and arteries decided otherwise. It's funny... even though we didn't ride anything, I think we spent about $75 on admission, the pony ride, a large lemonade, a regular corn dog, nachos and cotton candy. How does everyone afford the OC Fair in this economy?
 
I've heard the same complaints from my coworkers as well. Just too expensive for the average family as an outing. I still go annually but it is not cheap even when you want it to be. Parking, admission, food, games, rides, etc...the costs all add up. My kids always enjoy seeing the animals.
 
iacrenter said:
I've heard the same complaints from my coworkers as well. Just too expensive for the average family as an outing. I still go annually but it is not cheap even when you want it to be. Parking, admission, food, games, rides, etc...the costs all add up. My kids always enjoy seeing the animals.
Click to expand...

I think about going then I do the math.  It's actually a lot cheaper to go to Knotts or Magic Mountain as a family and we enjoy the amusement park more.
 
I just saw in the paper this morning the Knott's has an all-you-can-ride and all-you-can-eat special, $39.99 for adults, $29.99 for kids 3-11.

I won't be able to fit on the rides if I can eat whatever I want.
 
irvinehomeowner said:
I just saw in the paper this morning the Knott's has an all-you-can-ride and all-you-can-eat special, $39.99 for adults, $29.99 for kids 3-11.

I won't be able to fit on the rides if I can eat whatever I want.
Click to expand...

The all-you-can-eat fried chicken... 
It will increase your chance of heart attack by ten fold when you are riding the thrill rides.
 
Who went this year?

I just gave away 4 tickets to a family I thought could use them. We had planned on going but changed our minds. Went last year but didn't enjoy it enough to go again this year. Too bloody hot. Too crowded. Too dirty. Too expensive. Don't need another goldfish that's going to die in 48 hours. The tickets were $44 and that's just to get in the door - don't forget about parking, rides, food, etc. Well, at least I found somebody who did want them so that's good.
 
I did not go this year, but I did hear that there was a special day that your entrance fee could be covered if you brought in 1 new book or 3 gently used books.  This may be something that people can look out for in the future. 
 
Or you can always take the OCTA bus. Pick up every 30 minutes.  Drops you off at the gate, don't have to pay parking. (i believe roundtrip from Irvine Amtrak Station is $4.  Kids 5 and under are free).  If you do that, you get a discount voucher for admission, $3 instead of $11 (again, kids 5 and under are free).
 
I went last weekend...talk about a traffic mess. I wish I took Kalbi's advice about public transportation (http://www.octa.net/Bus-Transit/Routes-and-Schedules/OC-Fair-Express/). We must have sat 40 minutes in nightmare local street traffic for the privilege of paying $10. It was backed up for a mile on the 55.

Kids still loved the fair. We also got some free rides for the kids by having them read two books and turning in a brief book report:http://ocfair.com/2013/discountsdeals/promotions.asp
Read & Ride
Read 2 books for 3 carnival rides (ages 5-11)
Click here to download book report form
Submit book reports to the Information Booth @ Centennial Farm for FREE ride tickets
(Valid July 12- August 11)
 
That is great that they are giving discounts for children to do reading and a brief book report over summer!  They should do that for adults too! 
 
the fair usually has certain days where u bring used books or canned food and what nots over and they let u go in for a dollar or for free... i forgot... but thats what i did last year...
http://www.ocfair.com/2013/discountsdeals/promotions.asp

if u dont want to spend on parking u can do the metro... my gf did it, but i prefer to drive and just pay for parking for the convenience...

i love the giant turkey legs... hahaha, but way too busy this year to go this year )':
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top