Ice slide, skating, reindeer, carnival – O.C.’s first Winter Fest has it all

A winter wonderland is coming to Orange County with Winter Fest, which will make its debut Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa.

Highlights of the 17-day event include a Snowflake Summit, where participants will be able to race down a 130-foot-tall ice slide on an inner tube. Visitors also will have a chance to meet and take selfies with live reindeer.

Other attractions include Candy Cane Carnival — with 30 games and rides — a 6,000-square-foot ice skating rink in the Hangar building, a model train exhibit and a 30-foot Christmas tree that will be lighted at 5:30 p.m. every day, accompanied by snowfall.

Mark Etner, chief executive of Absolute Event Solutions, which is producing Winter Fest, said he believes Orange County has a need for an event like this.

He said many Southern Californians typically don’t get to enjoy the kind of attractions Winter Fest offers.

“Winter Fest is really inspired by the need for Orange County to have their own annual holiday festival that brings the community together to escape our normal sunny, warm weather that we experience year-round,” he said. “We wanted to really celebrate the holidays in a winter wonderland of family fun.”

Etner said Absolute Event Solutions has experience with similar events. It has helped put on “Chill” at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, an event highlighted by large ice sculptures, for the past three years.

He said the company is excited to put on its own event and that the fairgrounds provide an “El Niño-proof area” for it.

“If there is rain, people are still able to enjoy most of our attractions because they’re in either a building or covered structure,” he said.

While the event is geared toward families, there will be something for people of all ages.

Children can enjoy attractions like an arts and crafts area, and adults can sip Hotty Toddies while listening to live music in the Slippery Slope Lounge.

There also will be food for sale, including tamales, horchata, baked goods, hot chocolate, chicken kabobs and burgers.

Admission includes unlimited ice tubing down Snowflake Summit, one complimentary carnival ride and game, reindeer interaction, craft making, entry to children’s bounce houses and a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

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IF YOU GO

What: Winter Fest

Dates: Friday through Jan. 3

Hours: Opens at 11 a.m. daily, expect for 2 p.m. Christmas Day. Closing times vary.

Where: OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

Admission: $10 to $15 for children ages 4 to 11 and $20 to $25 for adults

Tickets and more information: winterfestoc.com