As Orange County eye’s a move from tier red to tier orange, the O.C. Fair Board has voted for an in-person fair that will run from July 16 to August 15, 2021. Sprawling across 130 acres, the Orange County Fair has been a significant economic contributor; creating thousands of jobs and generating hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Last Summer (July 2020) was the first time the fair was cancelled since WW2 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fair officials have developed a plan working directly with public health agencies to ensure the safety of guests and allow them to enjoy carnival rides, entertainment, food and more. Plans for this year include requiring guests to wear masks and providing space for social distancing by limiting the daily attendance to 45,000 people. They are also limiting the number of rides, shopping vendors and concession stands.
In the past, fairs have averaged about 60,000 visitors a day, with some days logging as many as 80,000 people. With neighboring counties holding smaller fair like events, or cancelling them all together, that could mean millions of people flocking to Orange County to attend. At this time there are no plans in place to limit attendees only to Orange County natives, so daily limits could be met quickly.
For 2021, ticket prices will stay at 2019 levels: $7 for kids and seniors; $12 for adults on weekdays and $14 on weekends. This year Friday tickets will be at the weekend price. Staying true to tradition, the fair will remain closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Tickets must be purchased in advanced and will be available beginning May 1, 2021.
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OC FAIR
Another welcome site are the sounds from the OC Fair. The Pacific Amphitheatre has announced a partial summer concert schedule. As in years past, the entertainment will be eclectic and will features bands like Cheap Trick, Blue Oyster Cult, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Rebelution, Steel Pulse, the Green, Stick Figure, The Aquabats, English Beat, and more being added.
