OC Fair a floral fest

Flower power, indeed.

The Orange County Fair’s theme this year is “Flower Power,” and it’s got plenty of both.

When the first visitors drop in to Thursday’s free “Taste of the Fair,” they’ll, of course, see hanging flower baskets everywhere.

There is a gardening exhibit every year at the fair, but new additions this year include an Italian garden, a butterfly garden and a floral pavilion of creative floral arrangements by local florists.

But if gardening’s not your thing, check out the “Lucha Libre” show July 22-23 that features wrestlers from Mexico and Orange County. The Mexican-style wrestling should be familiar to fans of theatrical, antic-driven professional wrestling.

“What’s really unique about it for us this year is not only are we going to have some of the local wrestlers with World Power Wrestling, but we are going to be bringing in some celebrities from Mexico,” Doug Lofstrom, the fair’s director of planning said.

The celebrities include El Hijo del Santo, Dr. Wagner Jr., Super Kendo and Super Parka.

“If they have interest in going to any of the shows this year, I would suggest going early, because seating is limited,” he added.

Believe it. The concert schedule features luminaries such as comic Bill Cosby, Paul Simon, The Steve Miller Band, Linda Ronstadt, the Moody Blues, Seal, X and Cindy Lauper.

Hipper acts include Danger Mouse’s new gig, Gnarls Barkley; as well as All American Rejects and Velvet Revolver.

The concert series also features the Fab Four doing a different Beatles tribute show each night, a reggaeton (dance music) night, Mariachi Sol de Mexico and a Reggae Fest.

“They (Mariachi Sol de Mexico) are probably one of the premier mariachi groups in southern California,” Lofstrom said.

Other Spanish-singing performers on the schedule are Maldita Vecindad and Julieta Venegas.

The fair will run from July 7-30, with a free “Taste of the Fair” event from 7:30 to to 8:45 p.m. Thursday. Visitors Thursday will get to sample free food and enjoy a fireworks display and a performance by Aga-Boom!, a group of Russian clowns.

Other highlights include the Washington Mutual arena demolition derby and speedway racing, bull riding, the culinary arts series and the Junior Livestock Auction.

The fair also has its educational and charitable goals.

For those wanting to learn about alternative sources of energy, there will be a UC Irvine fuel cell exhibit, Joan Hamill, the fair’s director of community relations, said.

The exhibit was on view at the 2005 World’s Fair in Japan.

And for those wanting to help Orange County schools and the Second Harvest Food Bank, they can donate books and canned food. On July 26, patrons who bring one new book or three gently used children books will be admitted free to the fair and get a free ticket to a carnival ride. On July 19, if you donate five canned or dry food items, you’ll get in free.

About 1 million people attended the fair last year.Hamill said she hopes more will come this year.

“It’s a great destination point, and there’s a lot to see and do,” she said.

The fair is closed on Mondays. It is open noon to midnight Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to midnight Saturdays and Sundays.

General admission for those between 13 and 59 years old is $8; $6 for those 60 and older; $4 for children 6 to 12; and admission is free for children under 5.

Parking for vehicles is $5, $10 for buses and limousines, and preferred parking is $10.

For information, visit www.ocfair.com or call (714) 708-3247.

? Staff writer Alicia Robinson

contributed to this story.dpt.04-fair-CPhotoInfoB11SJLKB20060704j1up6tncDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)An oversized garden comes to life as Miriam Martinez, left, and Maria Diaz add fabricated plants and flowers to a scene where huge rabbits from a Rose Parade float will greet visitors at the OC Fair, which opens Friday.