Greer's OC

The OC Fair, themed “Summer Starts Here” opens Friday, July 11 at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa until Sunday, Aug. 10 (open Wednesday-Sunday). The OC Fair brings 23 days of fun for the entire family: food, rides, animals, free music, as well as the Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre and events in The Hangar and Action Sports Arena.

As expected there will be no shortage of deep-fried treats and opportunities to test what your stomach can handle at the OC Fair. You can graze on deep-fried Oreos, deep-fried cookie dough, deep-fried Doritos, fried pickle chips, deep-fried apple fries, deep-fried bacon-wrapped turkey leg, deep-fried Jack Daniels (wrapped in bacon); and deep-fried chicken skin. Newest food items include Pop Rocks donut, Tasti Chips (made to order chips), banana cream donut, battered and fried Doritos (pictured above). And of course, you can snack on your run of the mill OC Fair food: pizza, hamburgers, corn on the cob, funnel cakes, churros, and hot dogs and corn dogs.

With 23 days of activities you can have your fill of the things to do and see. Here are our top Fair Faves during the run:

The 1st Annual Orange County Brew Hee Haw on Friday, July 11 - Sunday, July 13. More than 60 craft beer selections, commemorative festival glass, Pale Ales, IPA's, Stouts, Saisons, Hefeweizens and more; 15 craft beer tastings; meet homebrew experts, music and beer demo. Includes free admission to the OC Fair. Admission: General Sale - $50,  Day of Event - $55.

The Celebrity Chef Series, free with OC Fair admission in The Hangar. Stop by to see Chef Carla Hall from ABC's The Chew (July 17, 4 p.m.); Chef Roy Choi, founder of Kogi BBQ (July 24, 4 p.m.); and Kelsey Nixon, host of “Kelsey’s Essentials” on the Cooking Channel (July 31, 4p.m.) Presented by Vons/Pavilions.

Bakeology. Explore the origins of baking, while taking a look into the history of everything related to baking. This beautiful display features: Flour Power (the most important ingredient found in most cultures), Baking Equipment (a historical look at baking equipment then and now, Bakers Rise (leavening agents), and a glimpse at Bake Beliefs. Blackmarket Bakery’s Chef Rachel Klemek and her staff will be on hand to demonstrate handmade, from scratch specialties and share professional tips and tricks with all fairgoers.

World’s Fare – Fair Foods Exhibits. This exhibit features a fun look back at the humble beginnings of these fair food giants. Both savory and sweet are represented, tracing their unique history and often times, accidental beginnings. The exhibit comes full circle with Tried and Fried, a salute to all things fried. From Coke to Twinkies and everything in-between. Check out the history of all things fried at the OC Fair and fairs around the country.

Centennial Farms Exhibits, the year-round, four-acre farm highlights California’s rich agricultural heritage with more than 30 different crops growing, as well as farm animals includes cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, rabbits, poultry and a Watusi. Expect one or more of the sows to give birth to a litter of piglets. And there will be daily cow milking demonstrations held in the Millennium Barn as well as an Interactive Milking Exhibit

OC Fair Tips on Ways to Save

Children 5 and younger are free every day. Super Pass - enjoy admission to the 2014 OC Fair for all 23 days. The Super Pass can be purchased at the OC Fair and includes 23-day admission, express entry at all gates, 2-For-1 tickets for select events in the Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena and a carnival savings book for the pass holder.

Kids Days – Every Thursday, children 12 and under receive free admission all day.  Seniors Days – Every Friday, seniors (60+) receive a $2 discount off senior admission and free Ferris wheel and merry-go-round rides all day. We Care Wednesday – Give back to the community together as a family every Wednesday from Noon to 3 p.m. in exchange for one free admission and carnival ride per person with appropriate donation. Donations are accepted Noon-3 p.m. on the following schedule: July 16 – 5 canned food items; July 23 – 1 new or 3 gently used children’s books; July 30 – 5 gently used or new items of clothing; and August 6 –  school supplies worth at least $5.

Taste of Fair Food – Families can taste the assorted Fair food for $2 per sample every Friday from noon-4 p.m.  Carnival Promotions – Take advantage of the $30 wristband, which gives an unlimited access to carnival rides plus 2 free games each Wednesday and Thursday (sold until 5 p.m. and ride until 8 p.m.) or come on Fridays for $2 rides and games from Noon-4 p.m.

Free parking and shuttle service are available on Saturdays and Sundays from the Experian parking structure located off the Bristol St. exit of the 405 freeway.

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