Fairgoers keep their cool

Marisa O’Neil

June gloom is finally waning and temperatures in Newport-Mesa are

creeping up into the 80s and 90s -- making a day at the Orange County

Fair a potentially hot prospect.

But there are plenty of places to relax and cool off, if you know

where to look. Wear a big hat, slather on some sunscreen, drink

plenty of fluids and beat the heat as needed at any of these spots.

* Exhibition halls: Luxuriate in air-conditioned heaven, while

looking through exhibitions of artwork, woodworking, crafts and even

baked goods. Stand next to the refrigerated pie exhibit and just

listen to the hum of the cooler to feel your body temperature drop

another couple degrees.

* Carnival and Parade of Products: Shop till you drop in the

shaded and air-conditioned in-fair malls. For even more relaxation,

stop by the Medi-Rub Corp. booth to try out the vibrating foot

massager and get a back rub with their body massager.

“They may not be able to get rid of me,” Marja Selna said as a

worker massaged her back.

* Foot Massagers: After pounding the pavement for hours, tame

those tender tootsies.

Those willing to part with a hard-earned quarter can visit the

coin-operated foot massagers that dot the fair. But beware, you’ll

need to get your land legs about you, once you step off the vibrating

platform.

* Toddler Town: Two canopies shade play areas for the little ones

in Kids Park. Little ones can busy themselves playing with buckets,

shovels and other plastic toys in a giant sandbox.

Another area has building toys, and nearby, two umbrellas stand

guard over a little reading area filled with baskets of children’s

books.

* Crafters Village: Grab a bottle of ice-cold water or a fruit

smoothie at the top of the lane and stroll through the shade while

browsing through booths hawking jewelry, ceramics and other wares.

* Main Mall: Live musical and dance acts entertain crowds under

the roof at Heritage Stage. Plenty of picnic tables below large shade

trees provide a cool place to chow down on some deep-fried fare.

* Baja Blues: This permanent structure holds a Mexican restaurant

and serves ice-cold draft beers, like Sierra Nevada Summerfest.

Tables under big umbrellas fill an outdoor deck, which provides a

perfect spot to relax, have a bite to eat and people watch, Jade

Higgins said.

“We’ve got to fill up on all the grease before we go,” she said

with a laugh.

* Youth in Motion: This air-conditioned building houses more

exhibits -- this time arts and crafts from kids -- and a stage for

performances geared toward children. Just east of the building, an

air-conditioned “Baby Convenience Center” provides two changing

tables and a screened-off nursing area.

* Floral Pavilion: Flowers, fountains, perennial gardens, cactus

gardens and just about anything else that grows fills this shady

space. The flower-friendly atmosphere, however, runs a little humid.

* The Courtyard: Sample award-winning wines for a buck an ounce

and sit at one of the many tables under its sprawling canopy. Real

cool customers, like Francis Reyes, can chill with a white wine.

“This is a nice place to just sit by the fountain,” he said as he

sipped a white Zinfandel.

* La Grande Wheel: It’s shady, breezy and oh-so-high. The world’s

largest portable Ferris wheel gently swings its riders in gondolas

with sepia-tinted windows that afford expansive views of

Newport-Mesa. Gentle breezes provide the perfect, high-altitude air

conditioning. And the faint-of-heart can watch the more daring rides

from a safe distance.

“This is the one relaxing ride here,” 11-year-old Katherine

Braymer said with a sigh.

* MARISA O’NEIL covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4268 or by e-mail at [email protected].