OC FAIR GUIDE

The eyes have it at this year’s Orange County Fair, “Say Cheese!”

Organizers have combined cameras with curds and whey in this year’s event, which opens Friday and runs through Aug. 3.

In addition to the fair’s customary deep-fried delicacies, pregnant sows and madcap carnival midway, a slew of events geared at teens and young adults will be in its Action Sports Arena, from new skateboarding championships to Lucha Libre to watercross.

Gnarly grinding

New this year is the Maloof Money Cup in the Action Sports Arena, featuring the world’s richest payouts in professional skateboarding.

Held Friday through Sunday, the event will include the U.S. Pro Street Championship, Carl’s Jr. U.S. Pro Vert Championship and the U.S. Women’s Pro Street Championship. World Industries will also hold the U.S. Amateur Championship.

Also in the area’s etnies Festival Village will be a skateboarding camp, live concerts, more than 40,000 square feet of skate retailers and manufacturers, games, and activities.

Admission for the professional events is $12 to $35; amateur event admission is $12, and a three-day pass is $32.30 to $89.25. All include fair admission.

Action adventures

Other events in the Action Sports Arena are free with fair admission.

The H2X Watercross Racing & Watersports stunt show will be at 8:15 p.m. July 22 to 25, and 4:15 and 8:15 p.m. July 26.

Riders will perform stunts in the arena, which will be filled with 350,000 gallons of water.

Other events include Lucha Libre at 8:15 p.m. July 15 to 17; a speedway derby and motocross jumping at 8:15 p.m. July 18; freestyle motocross at 8:15 p.m. July 19; a demolition derby at 3:15 and 8:15 p.m. July 20; SummerFist 2008 at 7:15 p.m. July 27; Big Air BMX Triples at 8:15 p.m. July 29 to 31; Extreme Rodeo at 8:15 p.m. Aug. 1; bull riding at 4:15 and 8:15 p.m. Aug. 2; and the Fiesta Del Charro at 4:15 and 8:15 p.m. Aug 3.

Eye of the beholder

Flash & Focus, an exhibit in Building 17, at the north end of the Main Mall, features a camera obscura and children’s art exhibitions.

The camera obscura was famously used by artists like Vermeer to project images, using a giant pinhole camera and a mirror.

Patrons will be able to view live images of the fairgrounds using the centuries-old device.

The building also will house the results of the 2008 Animation Celebration, where county students created animated films and then entered them in competition.

A special exhibit, “Things That Make My Face Say Cheese,” features the photographic work of six children ages 8 to 14 who are fighting cancer.

Whey cool

From July 22 to Aug. 3 in the Livestock Area, celebrity food sculptor Jim Victor will create works of cheese art at the California Cheese-A-Fair.

The area will also include information on cheese production, cheese pairing, cheese-themed contests and crafts, milk-producing livestock, cheese demonstrations and an ask-the-cheese-expert area.

Taiko show

Fairgoers will be treated to near-daily performances by the TAIKOPROJECT daily at 6:15 and 8:15 p.m., except this Saturday and Sunday, when Kinnara Taiko will perform.

TAIKOPROJECT is an ensemble of premier taiko drummers.

The group incorporates traditional taiko styles with unconventional and innovative techniques that expand upon the Japanese tradition.

Mobile warming

South Coast Repertory will trek to the fair at 1 and 4 p.m. daily to present “You’re Getting Warmer,” a family play about energy conservation and global warming, on the Fun Zone Stage.

A boy named Alex, living in a family of energy hogs, is startled to find a polar bear in his basement.

He and the bear have to figure out why the North Pole has changed, and how to help save energy.

Cattle, cattle everywhere

The OC Fair Cattle Drive will be July 26, when about 300 steers and more than 100 horseback riders will parade from Fairview Park to the fairgrounds.

Paying tribute

Local amateur and professional performers will perform on the Main Mall Stage, including tribute bands that embody the Eagles, Van Halen, Jimmy Buffett, and Bruce Spingsteen.

Other acts include Latin music on weekends and a hypnotist.

IF YOU GO

WHO: OC Fair

WHAT: “Say Cheese!” 2008 fair

WHEN: July 11 to Aug. 3. Noon to midnight Tuesday to Friday; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday; closed Mondays.

WHERE: OC Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

COST: General $9; seniors 60+ $7; children 6 to 12 $5; children 5 and under free. Parking $5 to $10.

INFORMATION: (714) 708-1500 or ocfair.com.

SPECIALS

OPENING DAY FREE HOUR: Enter between noon and 1 p.m. Friday for free admission.

SALUTE TO HEROES: Active duty military, law enforcement and firefighters get in for free, with one guest, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.

KIDS DAYS: Children 12 and under are admitted free all day Tuesday, and July 22 and 29.

SENIOR DAYS: Seniors 60 and older get in for $4 on any Thursday, and will enjoy free Ferris wheel and merry-go-round rides.

FRIENDS OF THE FAIR DAY: Pre-registered guests who are physically or mentally challenged enjoy special activities with free admission from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday.

SUMMER FOOD DRIVE: Bring five canned or dry food items for free admission from noon to 6 p.m. July 23.

SUMMER BOOK DRIVE: Bring one new or three gently used children’s books from noon to 6 p.m. July 30 for free admission and one free carnival ride.

RIDE WRISTBANDS: Unlimited ride wristbands are $20 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Wristbands are sold until 5 p.m.; ride until 8 p.m.

$1 RIDES: All rides are $1 on Thursdays and Fridays until 7 p.m.

PACIFIC AMPHITHEATRE LINEUP

July 11: B.B. King, Leon Russell, Mavis Staples

July 12: OneRepublic, Phantom Planet, Carolina Liar

July 13: Chris Isaak, Vanessa Carlton

July 15: Tom Jones, Sheila E

July 17: The Wailers, Eek-A-Mouse, Pato Banton

July 18: The Wallflowers, Train

July 19: Fergie, Carney

July 20: Dropkick Murphys, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the Vandals

July 22: Stray Cats, Joe Ely, Hot Rod Lincoln

July 23: MercyMe, David Crowder Band

July 24: Yaz, Psychedelic Furs

July 25: Festival Del Duranguense: Montez De Durango, Diana Reyes, Don Cheto

July 26: Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band

July 27: Seal, Nikka Costa

July 29: Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury

July 30: Paramore, Jack’s Mannequin, Paper Route

July 31: Matchbox Twenty, Hodges

Aug. 1: Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, Patty Smyth

Aug. 2: Slightly Stoopid & Pepper, The Expendables

Aug. 3: Scorpions, Sammy Hagar & the Wabos

CANDICE BAKER can be reached at (949) 494-5480 or at [email protected].