With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
What's new at the OC Fair this year? Bacon cotton candy, bacon-wrapped burritos
The OC Fair is going all in on bacon this year.
Some of the new fair food debuting this year includes a bacon-wrapped carnitas burrito, bacon-flavored cotton candy on a pork belly stick and a bacon cheddar donut.
If all of that is too oinky for you, there are some mozzarella meatballs on a stick, cactus tacos, tres leches cinnamon rolls and Dubai chocolate brownies and Dubai chocolate strawberry cups. And there are all the favorites, too, like funnel cake, turkey legs, roasted corn ... you get the idea.
And if you got filled up just reading all of that, don't worry.
There's plenty of lighter fare too. Like vegan pastries, veggies-and-avocado tacos and … even fresh salads.
Pro tip: Take advantage of the $5 tasting menu offerings. Each day, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., vendors will be offering select tastes of their menus for a wallet-friendly $5. We're told that many of these tastes are quite shareable, which will allow you to do some sampling before you decide what your main course will be.
The OC Fair runs July 18 through Aug. 17 at the Costa Mesa fairgrounds. The theme this year is "Find Your Happy." In addition to deep-fried confections, there will be dozens of rides — with names like OMG and Raptor and Sky Flyer — as well as shopping, a petting zoo, pig races, lawn mower races, a 5K race, concerts and more.
One tip — you have to buy tickets in advance (which helps cap attendance and keep lines moving.) Tickets start at $9 for kids aged 6 to 12 and go up from there. You can find all the info at OCFair.com.
The fair attracts more than 1 million visitors a year and many days sell out, so plan accordingly if you have your heart set on a particular day.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol.
-
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails.
-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight.
-
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious.
-
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress.
-
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.