Fair promises family fun

DANETTE GOULET

FAIRGROUNDS -- Round up the children, pack up the car and munch some

Tums because the Orange County Fair is in town and it’s hotter than ever.

It’s big and bright and back with all your old favorites.

Where else can you take the whole family for a fried feast? The fair

has fried dough, fried cheese, fried zucchini and fried onions. There are

fried egg rolls, fried chicken, fried corn dogs and fried potatoes.

And when the feasting is done, it’s time for fun.

Families can tromp through the Millennium Barn, where they will find

sheep and chickens and bunnies galore. There are pig races, pony rides,

dog shows and more.

Dare devils beware. Along with the Tilt-A-Whirl, Top Spin and Tornado

come new rides to test one’s tolerance.

The strong of stomach can jump into a race car that will be catapulted

down a 205-foot-long track, gaining speeds of 60 mph in just one second.

For a longer thrill, riders should try the Wilde Maus, a crazy new

roller coaster fresh from Germany. Today will be the coaster’s debut

appearance in California, said Becky Bailey-Findley, general manager of

the fair.

These are just a few thrill rides on a very long list. There’s also

the Yo-Yo, Orbiter and Kite Flyer. For the tiny tykes, the fair offers

flying pink elephants or fat bumble bees. They can jump in a bounce

house, twirl in a tea cup or zip down a slide.

For fair-goers who wish to keep their feet on the ground, there are

concerts, collectibles and craft shops.

And what would a fair be without those nearly impossible games of

chance, where one can come away with a three-foot Pokemon, Pooh Bear or

panda in hand?

No matter what the people’s pleasure, they won’t be able to miss the

rip-roaring sounds of the Red Hot Billy Peppers. The Peppers are a big

brass band wearing brightly colored boxer shorts, multicolored striped

socks, loud Hawaiian shirts, corny felt hats and mismatched Converse

high-tops.

So while the fair has retained the flavor everyone looks for in the

rodeo, Speedway racing and roasted corn, it has spiced it up a bit this

year.

“We try to blend tradition with the new,” Bailey-Findley said. “God

forbid we move the cinnamon bun stand, but we want to keep it fresh for

everyone.”