Greer's OC

The OC Fair, themed Come & Get It returns Friday at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa until Sunday, August 11 (open Wednesday-Sunday). The OC Fair brings 23 days of food, rides, exhibits, animals, music, action sports and fun for the family. 

Highlights include the popular All-Alaskan Pig Races and carnival rides, as well as new features including Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders, a sideshow-type insect exhibit, and the Summer in the Cities Presentation, a nightly multi-faceted celebration of Orange County.

Fairgoers can take advantage of free admission and parking during opening hour (noon-1 p.m. Friday). Other promotions on opening day (noon to midnight). Seniors Day: $6 admission for guests 60 and older as well as free Ferris wheel and merry-go-round rides all day; $2 Taste of Fair Food: Sample Fair food noon-4 p.m.; $2 Rides & $2 Games: sold until 4 p.m.

Through the rest of the night enjoy concerts and action sports performances. Colbie Caillat kicks off the Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre at 7:45 p.m. as tribute band Hotel California – A Salute to The Eagles at 8:30 p.m. in The Hangar and X-Treme Freestyle Moto-X in the Action Sports Arena at 8 p.m.

Other events for the first weekend include on Saturday, Steel Pulse / Iration in the Pacific Amphitheatre (7 p.m.) Space Oddity – A Tribute to David Bowie in The Hangar (8:30 p.m.); 39th Annual Speedway Fair Derby in the Action Sports Arena (8 p.m.); Rise & Shine: $3 general admission (10 a.m.-11 a.m.). On Sunday, July 14, The Go-Go’s in the Pacific Amphitheatre (8 p.m.); Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez in The Hangar (5 p.m.); Lucha Libre in The Hangar (8:45 p.m.); SummerFist VI – Mixed Martial Arts in the Action Sports Arena (6 p.m.); Rise & Shine: $3 general admission (10 a.m.-11 a.m.).

Visit ocfair.com/2013 for a full listing of each day’s offerings.

The OC Fair & Event Center is located off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.