Chris and I met up with a few of our friends at the 2015 OC Fair in Costa Mesa, California.

We arrived at the parking structure by 9:45 am and were able to take advantage of free offsite parking and early admission pricing available on Saturdays and Sundays. The free parking is located at the Experian parking structure (475 Anton Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626) off the Bristol Street exit of the 405 Freeway. Upon exiting the freeway, there were signs directing us to the parking structure. Coach buses arrived periodically and we took the shuttle from the offsite parking structure to the OC Fair ticket booth and yellow entrance of the fairgrounds.  We purchased the Rise and Shine early admission tickets (available until 11:00 am and must be used by noon) and for $3, which was a discount compared to the general admission of $12.
Free Shuttle Service
$3 Early Admission Tickets

The OC Fair did not disappoint with the variety and amount of food that was offered. My friend Catherine and I started off the day with our obligatory giant turkey leg from Juicys to share. Based on past experience, the turkey legs have a tendency to be overcooked and dry later in the day after sitting on the grill for too long. Our foresight was rewarded — our turkey leg had a crisp exterior and layers upon layers of moist turkey deliciousness.  We ordered a chicken wing combo with fries from Backyard BBQ Village, but we ended up with a chicken kabob and fries (along with the carrot and celery sticks from the wings) when we were informed that the chicken wings would not be ready for another 40 minutes. The chicken pieces were large and well seasoned, and the vegetables had the chargrilled flavor.
Turkey Legs on GrillsCatherine and the Turkey Leg
Chicken Kabob with Fries, and Carrot and Celery Sticks

The boys (Chris and friends Thomas and Albert) ventured off, returning with a watermelon agua fresca for me and a bucket of Australian battered potatoes to share. It was a blistering hot day, and the ice cold beverage was refreshing and  much appreciated. The crispy-on-the-outside-and-soft-on-the-inside potatoes were served with a variety of dipping condiments (nacho cheese, sweet and sour sauce, Sriracha mayo, and bacon bits). Throughout the afternoon, we grazed on deep fried coffee, deep fried pizza bomb, and cubano burger as we walked around. The deep fried coffee was shaped like a donut hole and had a coffee filling. The deep fried pizza bomb, well, bombed (pun intended). The deep fried treatment dried out the cheese and pizza sauce, and tasted like reheated pizza that had been in the fridge for too long. The cubano burger was a combination of the a Cuban sandwich and a burger, and the meaty weight did not leave room for any more food. There is, however, a separate stomach for dessert, and we could not resist having the strawberry and cream funnel cake. We were, after all, at a county fair.

Gulping Down Watermelon Agua Fresca
Australian Battered PotatoesDeep Fried Coffee Deep Fried Pizza Bomb
Cubano BurgerStrawberry and Cream Funnel Cake

Walking around the fairgrounds helped with the digestion of our gluttonous adventures. We admired the Sandscapes artists constructing the sand sculpture of a beautiful birthday cake to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the fair with their bare hands under the scorching heat. In route to the Ice Museum, we passed by a trio of drummers, performing music with what appeared to be buckets and industrial drums. The Ice Museum was a walk-in freezer with a room full of intricate ice sculptures. We recovered from the sweltering heat in the below 32 degree room, while taking in the amazing frozen art. Our last stop at the livestock was the perfect end to a fulfilling visit to the county fair, where city folk meets a bit of country.
Sand Sculpture by Sandscapes
Drummer with Buckets and Industrial Drums Frozen Frame Inside Ice Museum Horse Drawn Carriage Ice Sculpture

Award Winning Cow