Orange Country Fair 2008
Theme: Who Cut The Cheese???
OC Fair 2008
Costa Mesa, Calif. (May 23, 2008) – The first day of the 2008 OC Fair
will give guests a reason to smile. In celebration of the beginning of
the Fair’s 21-day run, there will be free admission and parking for all
attendees during the first hour of Opening Day, Friday, July 11, from
noon to 1 p.m. The Opening Day Free Hour launches what will be a
fun-filled OC Fair, that runs
Friday, July 11, to Sunday, August 3, and features the theme “Say
Cheese!” The Fair is closed on Mondays, July 14, 21, and 28.
New this year, South Coast Repertory (SCR) presents “You’re Getting
Warmer” daily at the Fun Zone Stage. SCR’s latest Education Touring
Production focuses on energy conservation and global warming while
entertaining children and their parents. Shows are daily at 1 p.m. and 4
p.m.
Theme
"Who cut the cheese?" was the theme this year... Well, not really! The 2008 OC Fair theme of “Say Cheese!” takes center stage in the Flash & Focus Gallery and the OC Cheese-A-Fair.
Located at the north end of the Main Mall, Flash & Focus features a camera obsura, the 2008 Animation Celebration, "Things That Make My Face Say Cheese" exhibit, along with contests, competitions, and exhibitions.
Beginning July 22, see celebrity food sculptor Jim Victor create amazing and fanciful works of art in the medium of cheese at the OC Cheese-A-Fair.
Also, learn about cheese production along with fun facts, cheese pairing, ask-the-cheese-expert, participate in hands-on cheese themed contests and crafts, demonstrations and more
Day One!
We decided to avoid the free hour and arrived at 2:00 PM and left at 8:PM on the first day. Ten pound buns, meatball sliders, and wine filled us up! It was a delightful day with the temperature not going over 76 degrees and a nice wind off the ocean! The pigs are always the first stop!!!
Petunia
has the babies on the day before the fair opened...
They were cute and very active! Pigs, also called hogs or swine, are ungulates which have been domesticated as sources of food, leather, and similar products since ancient times. More recently, they have been involved in biomedical research and treatments, especially for their eyes and hearts, which closely resemble those of humans. Their long association with humans has led to their considerable representation in cultural milieux from paintings to proverbs.
The
onions were drying and they were big this year!
Did You
Know? - Onion is a term used for
many plants in the genus Allium. They are known by the common name
"onion" but, used without qualifiers, it usually refers to Allium cepa.
Allium cepa is also known as the 'garden onion' or 'bulb' onion and
'shallot'.
Onions, one of the oldest vegetables known to humankind, are found in a
bewildering array of recipes and preparations, spanning almost the
totality of the world's cultures; they are nowadays available in fresh,
frozen, canned, pickled, and dehydrated forms. Onions can be used,
usually chopped or sliced, in almost every type of food, including
cooked foods and fresh salads, and as a spicy garnish; they are rarely
eaten on their own but usually act as accompaniment to the main course.
Depending on the variety, an onion can be sharp, spicy, tangy and
pungent or mild and sweet.
Onions pickled in vinegar are eaten as a snack. These are often served
as a side serving in fish and chip shops throughout the United Kingdom.
Onions are a staple food in India, and are therefore fundamental to
Indian cooking. They are commonly used as a base for curries, or made
into a paste and eaten as a main course or as a side dish.
Tissue from onions is frequently used in science education to
demonstrate microscope usage, because they have particularly large cells
which are readily observed even at low magnifications.
Grapes Were Just About Ready To Eat
The
grapes looked great!
Paul
is ready for a grape arbor! These looked magnificent!
My
pumpkin is bigger than their pumpkin!
Did You Know? - The word pumpkin originates from the word “pepon” which is Greek for “large melon.” The French adapted this word to “pompon,” which the English changed to “pompion” and later American colonists changed that to the word we use today, “pumpkin.” The origin of pumpkins is not known, although pumpkins are thought to have originated in North America. The oldest evidence, pumpkin-related seeds dating between 7000 and 5500 B.C., were found in Mexico.
Neatest Thing At The Fair!!!
If
If she were entered she would get 1st prize!!!
Through
their bars they were pretty. We saw Lucy Crabb again this year and
exchanged greeting!
The Vegetable Show!
Did You Know? - The lemon (Citrus × limon) is a hybrid in cultivated wild plants. It is the common name for the reproductive tissue surrounding the seed of the angiosperm lemon tree. The lemon is used for culinary and nonculinary purposes throughout the world. The fruit is used primarily for its juice, though the pulp and rind (zest) are also used, primarily in cooking and baking. Lemon juice is about 5% (approximately 0.03 moles/Liter) citric acid, which gives lemons a tart taste, and a pH of 2 to 3. This makes lemon juice an inexpensive, readily available acid for use in educational science experiments.
Centennial Farms
Centennial Farm is a 4-acre working farm at the OC Fair & Event Center. Created to educate youth about Orange County's agricultural heritage, the Farm is home to fruit and vegetable gardens, livestock, and Millennium Barn. Kids and adults can view pigs, peacocks, cows, honey bees and more while strolling though gardens of lush vegetation. We do ask that you please do not pick our crops as they are used for educational purposes.
OC Fair & Event Center provides educational, entertainment and recreational opportunities for the general public and preserves the heritage of California agriculture. This is achieved by showcasing the talents, interests and accomplishments of the citizens of California, especially Orange County residents. Our mission is served through the annual OC Fair, Centennial Farm, The Ranch, Youth Expo and more than 150 events throughout the year.
Hugh Sunflowers
Did You Know? - The sunflower (Helianthus annulus) is an annual plant native to the Americas in the family Asteraceae, with a large flowering head (inflorescence). The stem of the flower can grow as high as 3 meters tall, with the flower head reaching up to 30 cm in diameter with the "large" seeds. The term "sunflower" is also used to refer to all plants of the genus Helianthus, many of which are perennial plants.
Great idea for growing melons!
Did You Know? - Melon is a term used for various members of the Cucurbitaceae family with fleshy fruit. Melon can refer to either the plant or the fruit, which is a false berry. Many different cultivars have been produced, particularly of muskmelons. The plant grows as a vine.
Flowers Are Not So Popular At The Fair Anymore....
Food Is Popular...
Big Buns
Did You Know? - No, not on her... The sandwiches were fantastic as usual! Ten Pound Buns™, a leading provider of quality foods served at County fairs and specialty events in and around California. Based in Murrieta, CA, the Ten Pound Buns™ food concession business sells products at County fairs in San Diego, Orange, Ventura, Antelope Valley, and Los Angeles.
Time For The Skyway!
Check
the bees! They were attempting to put a next at the top of tower
three and were being quite successful!
Tomorrow The Wheel!
What it is like
when the fair is gone.... peaceful and relaxing!
The
smells were wonderful! Makes one hungry!
Petting Zoo
Sue hangs out here!
Did You Know? = A petting zoo (often called, and/or part of, a "children's zoo") features a combination of domestic animals and some wild species that are docile enough to touch and feed. In addition to independent petting zoos, also called children's farms, many general zoos contain a petting zoo. Some petting zoos are also mobile and will come to your home for a children's party or event. Many areas have a qualified mobile petting zoo. All petting zoos should be licensed, insured, and USDA certified in the United States. In 1938, the London Zoo was the first children's zoo in Europe and the Philadelphia Zoo was the first in North America to open a special zoo just for children.
Time To Taste The Grapes
Another favorite place... The Wine Society
Did You Know? -
Orange County Wine Society, Inc., is a rapidly-growing non-profit
educational corporation whose purpose is to promote the knowledge and
understanding of wine. To this end, the Society functions to enhance the
knowledge of winemaking, viticulture and the appreciation of wine. The
Society acts as the co-sponsor and main support group for the Orange
County Fair's largest Commercial Wine Competition and the Homewine
Competition.
During the Fair, the Orange County Wine Society proudly exhibits the
award-winning wines and features the wines for tasting to the public at
the Wine Courtyard at the Orange County Fairgrounds.
Monthly meetings are held on the second Friday of each month. Many
special events are conducted, such as trips to the wineries of various
regions of California, special wine dinners and tastings for OCWS
members and guests, and even wine cruises! The Orange County Wine
Society has a very active home winemakers group.
The Hypnotist
Did You Know? - Hypnosis
(from the Greek hypnos, "sleep") is often thought to be "a trance-like
state that resembles sleep but is induced by a person whose suggestions
are readily accepted by the subject."
The technique is sometimes used for medical purposes to relieve anxiety,
or otherwise improve or alter behaviour. Its effectiveness has been
clinically demonstrated in many areas, most notably in the area of acute
pain relief. It is also used in popular stage acts in which subjects are
persuaded to perform bizarre feats.
Other variations include so-called "mass-hypnosis," in which crowds are
simultaneously influenced, and autosuggestion in which subjects persuade
themselves. However, these phenomena are unlike those typically
associated with the classical phenomena of hypnosis.
It's Been A Long Day... Time To Go Home
