Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Until next year… Check out the stats released (below) by The OC Fair & Event Center Communications Department — The 2012 Orange County Fair was a success on many levels.

The 2012 OC Fair Rolls Up The Welcome Mat For Its More Than 1.3 Million Guests

The 2012 OC Fair wrapped up another successful Fair season by welcoming 1,357,355 Fairgoers for 23 days and nights of “Home Sweet Home” with food, fun and farm animals.

“In my first year as CEO, this Fair has exceeded all expectations. Every year, the Orange County Fair manages to deliver a high quality event and this one was no exception. Of course, we owe it all to our loyal guests, all 1.3 million of them, who make the OC Fair the success it is,” said Jerome Hoban, OC Fair & Event President & CEO.

Fairgoers came to the OC Fair for outstanding entertainment as the Pacific Amphitheatre saw a record-breaking year with its highest-grossing summer concert series yet that also featured 7 sold-out performances, including Young The Giant/The Steelwells, Steel Pulse/The Dirty Heads, Earth, Wind & Fire, Tears For Fears, Victoria Justice/Max Schneider, Heart, and Duran Duran. Music fans also came out in masses for rocking tribute and original bands booked in The Hangar, which broke records with its highest attended season since opening in 2010. Sellout shows included Journey Unauthorized – A Salute to the Music of Journey, “Led Zeppelin Live” Starring Heartbreaker, Purple Reign – THE Prince Tribute Show, Queen Nation – A Tribute to the Music of Queen, Wild Child – A Jim Morrison Celebration, The English Beat/The Originalites, Which One’s Pink? – The Best of Pink Floyd, Moonwalker – The Reflection of Michael Jackson, Dead Man’s Party – The Oingo Boingo Tribute, and Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez. And not to be left out, adrenaline junkies packed the Action Sports Arena for X-treme Freestyle Moto-X, Bull Riding (Saturday, July 21 show) and five nights of demolition derby which featured traditional derby cars and motorhomes as well as a special all-female derby that raised around $6,000 for the OC Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for The Cure.

Fairgoers arrived at the 2012 OC Fair hungry and left with bellies full of deep-fried concoctions, grilled wonders and bacon masterpieces. Chicken Charlie’s top “Totally Fried” item was the new Deep-Fried PB&J (9,000 sold) and at his new Pineapple Express, some 10,000 pineapples were used. Bacon A-Fair’s Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Legs flew off the grill 7,500 times while 100,000 pieces of Chocolate-Covered Bacon tantalized sweet tooths. The new Biggy’s Meat Market satisfied everyone’s inner caveman by selling approximately 3,900 17-inch Big Ribs, which amounted to more than 10,000 pounds of bone and grilled meat. Some 30 percent of Big Ribs sold were packed up and taken back to the mancave by Fairgoers with the largest to-go order at 20 massive ribs. Of the more traditional Fair food items, Juicy’s sold more than 60,000 turkey legs and enough corn dogs to stretch 3.5 miles end-to-end.

Fairgoers also looked to save on their trip to the Fair by taking advantage of the daily opportunities for free or discount admission. More than 382,298 Fairgoers took advantage of the free or discount admission promotions and of that number, 79,774 generous Fairgoers took advantage of free admission and a carnival ride offered with donations of canned food, children’s books, clothing and school supplies during the four We Care Wednesday drives. Plus, 13,899 Fairgoers in total scooped up a Super Pass (featuring 23 days of admission).

The annual Jr. Livestock Auction welcomed increased numbers of animals sold and money raised with 323 cattle, sheep, rabbits, swine, turkeys and goats selling for more than $310,000, which benefits the youth participants in local 4-H and FFA programs.

In celebration of the 2012 theme of “Home Sweet Home,” 12,177 active duty and veteran military were welcomed to the Fair for free through the Salute to Heroes daily promotion to enjoy the Fair and view the new Let Freedom Ring Exhibit and nightly Salute to Heroes presentation in The Hangar. (Press Release by OC Fair & Event Center and photos by me)

More interesting numbers from 23 days at the 2012 OC Fair:

• Centennial Farm welcomed 27 piglets, 1 Jersey calf and 3 kids (baby goats)
• Of the 4,597 competitors that submitted more than 12,900 hand-woven blankets, homemade cookies, stunning photography, exquisite woodworking and more creative entries in the various competitions and contests, the Fair awarded more than 2,940 people with award ribbons and more than $33,220 in cash awards
• The new Bacon A-Fair sold 20,000 pounds of bacon either beer-battered, dipped in chocolate or wrapped around turkey legs, hot dogs and stuffed jalapenos
• Fairgoers consumed 300 cans of Spam and 5,000 orders of Deep-Fried Cereal from Chicken Charlie’s and 600 Red Velvet Funnel Cakes from Toucan Funnel Cakes
• Potato-loving guests kept Tasti Chips busy cutting 35,000 pounds of potatoes; Biggy’s Meat Market with 20,000 pounds of potatoes and Juicy’s with 50,000 pounds of curly fries and 39,000 pounds of waffle fries
• 48,125 thrill-seekers took unlimited enjoyment of rides in the two carnivals on the Unlimited Ride Wristband days (Wednesdays and Thursdays)
• During We Care Wednesdays, Fairgoers donated 43.5 tons of canned food, 59,353 books, 113,310 items of clothing and thousands of school supplies
• The 45 showings of the new Salute to Heroes presentation, shown nightly in The Hangar, used 8,858 pyrotechnics to thank our country’s service men and women 

The 2012 OC Fair, themed Home Sweet Home featured 23 days of food, rides, exhibits, animals, music, action sports and fun, as well as the Super Pass, Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena. (Related posts are here)

The OC Fair & Event Center, home to the OC Fair, is located off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. For more information, please visit ocfair.com, become a fan at Facebook.com/OCFair, or follow them at twitter.com/ocfair.

We’re still not done eating at the Fair.  Madness, I call it Madness — Well listen buster you better start to move your feet to the rockinest rock steady beat of the Orange County Fair.

We appreciated the Foodie Tour and sampling of the indulgent and healthy OC Fair food.

The Pineapple Express by Chicken Charlie remarkably offers a few of the healthier options this year (in a Pineapple) — Naked Shrimp, Maui Chicken and a Shrimp Cocktail in a Pineapple.

Fried Pineapple with Chocolate and Coconut (above).

Associated with Juicy, the food concession stands with music, is Dogsville (above).

They serve up Ham and Cheese Corn Dogs, Jumbo Sausages and more.

Chicken Kabobs by Charlie is an OC Fair staple.

Fried Cornish Game Hen from Baja Blues — How about a Carne Asada Stuffed Avocado?

Tasti Chips is family owned and treats Potatoes with tender loving care, from earth to Chip.

Tasti Chips deserve respect and they’re most appetizing with the Jalapeno Cheese Sauce.

The Tasti Chips’ group also mans Grant Burgers — They’re not bad and have tasty Pickles.

And musn’t leave out Bacon-A-Fair, where everything comes with Bacon.

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs.

A Pound of Bacon Wrapped around a Turkey Leg (below).

Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos Wrapped in Bacon.

Beer Battered Deep Fried Bacon (below).

Deep Fried Beer Battered Bacon Dogs.

Bacon Wrapped Turkey Leg ready to be had.

Salted Chocolate Covered Bacon popularly photographed by Local Food Bloggers.

And my favorite Beef Brisket Sandwich is from the Chuckwagon.

I love this Sandwich and look forward to it every year.

Corn on the Cob grills throughout.

There’s a large amount of Meat.

Smokin’ Meat — It makes it so good.

On Fridays, small tastes of most seen here and more are available for $2.

Mini and singular variations of Fair favorites are offered (examples above) — It’s a great deal.

Legendairy Gelato has almost every flavor, including Birthday Cake — It really tastes like one.

And we always visit the Wine Garden for friendly tastings poured by the OC Wine Society.

We value the livestock too — Sshhhhhh, don’t tell ’em about the food.

With Hercules shown below — Worth more than the Alligator, if you get what I’m sayin’.

View of the OC Fair from the Ferris Wheel at night.

I never want to come down, well, until it’s time to eat again.

See you at the OC Fair.

The Pineapple Express by Chicken Charlie offers a Shrimp Cocktail in a Pineapple.  I felt good after eating this one at the OC Fair — There’s much more to be reported here about the healthy options and super indulgent at the Fair, once we’re able to sojourn from the fun.

It’s almost time for the Orange County Fair again and there will be much NEW to report — Until then, you may learn about the food related happenings here from the OC Fair & Event Center Press Release (below), combined with snapshots of past OC Fair visits.  What’s cooking…

Hungry? Get a Taste of “Home Sweet Home” at the 2012 OC Fair — Enjoy Deep-Fried Classics, New Creations and Food Exhibits, Cooking Demonstrations and Contests

The theme of the 2012 OC Fair (July 13-August 12) is “Home Sweet Home” and this year the Fair is not skimping on the “sweet.” Whether Fairgoers want to learn about food, watch the pros prepare it or just want to enjoy some tasty treats, the OC Fair delivers something for everyone. Here is a mouthwatering preview of what the 2012 OC Fair is cooking up this year:

• Chicken Charlie: If you like your food deep-fried, battered and on a stick, the 2012 Fair is the place for you. This year, Fair-favorite Chicken Charlie is taking fried food to the next level by deep frying cereal, peanut butter and jelly, spam, pineapple and more.
• Need a Bacon Fix?: At the new Bacon A-Fair, choose from bacon-wrapped turkey legs, deep-fried beer-battered bacon-wrapped hot dogs or the Smokey Porkabello, a bacon-wrapped mushroom with smoked Gouda.
• Take a Ride on the Pineapple Express: Not into the deep-fried thing? Then float on over to the new Pineapple Express (courtesy of Chicken Charlie) which features cored out pineapples filled with shrimp cocktail, fruit and grilled shrimp or chicken and more.
• The Big Rib: Calling all carnivores! Looking to feed your wild side? Come to Biggy’s Meat Market for The Big Rib, a two-pound beef rib on a 17-inch bone, with your choice of homemade sauce. Can’t finish it all? Not to worry! Biggy’s provides an 18-inch Big Rib Doggy Bone bag—once the meat is devoured, take the bone home to your pooch.
• $2 Taste of Fair Food: Every Friday from Noon-4 p.m., Fairgoers can sample the best the Fair has to offer for only $2 each. Fun-sized samples include funnel cake, BBQ tri-tip, lemonade, cinnamon rolls, corn dogs, tacos, gelato, cotton candy and more.
• Celebrity Chefs: The 2012 OC Fair presents two shows in The Hangar featuring dynamic celebrity chefs demonstrating their culinary talents. Scheduled appearances include the Food Network’s Robert Irvine (July 26, 1 p.m.) and Bravo’s “Top Chef” fan-favorite Fabio Viviani (August 2, 1 p.m.). Free with Fair admission.
• Food Truck Fare at the OC Fair: Find gourmet fare within the Fair as the popular Food Truck Fare continues inside Fair gates, offering food truck cuisine every Thursday from Noon-10 p.m. Access is free with Fair admission and prices vary per truck.
• OC Fair Chowdown: Watch the best of the best face-off for culinary glory in a series of live cooking challenges. On July 19 and 28, see food truck chefs go head-to-head in competition as they put their delicacies to the test. On August 2 and 9, see Orange County amateur home cooks test their skills against professional chefs. Winners will receive bragging rights and an award to commemorate their culinary victory. Viewing is free with Fair admission.
• Contests and Competitions: Whether you’re good at cooking or eating, the OC Fair is just the place to bring out your competitive side. Daily, free eating contests are held for children in the Fun Zone Tent at 6:30 p.m. (Registration is 30 minutes before each contest) and Knott’s Berry Farm hosts a pie-eating contest for all-ages at 7 p.m. in the Exhibit Promenade (Registration starts at 6:30 p.m.) Each Saturday, Fairgoers have the chance to compete in the Culinary Arts Special Contests, which are judged live at the Fair for the best cookies, cupcakes, chili and hometown dish (Online entry registration is the Wednesday before each contest. Visit ocfair.com/competitions for information and to register).
• Chocolate Unwrapped: This new exhibit in the Exhibit Promenade puts the “sweet” in “Home Sweet Home.” Come learn how chocolate is made, from the bean to the bar. Complete with demonstrations by Xan Confections.
• Centennial Farm: Come learn where food comes from on this year-round, four-acre demonstration farm featuring educational exhibits, agricultural organizations, growing crops, livestock and the fruit & vegetable competitive entries with the biggest lemons, most unusually shaped vegetables and best home-grown pumpkins Orange County has to offer.

The 2012 OC Fair, themed Home Sweet Home, is July 13 – August 12 and will bring 23 days of food, rides, exhibits, animals, music, action sports and fun, as well as the Super Pass, Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena. The Fair is open Wednesday-Sunday. Concert tickets, action sports reserved seats, single-day general admission and the popular Super Pass are available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com or from the on-site Box Office. [Photo: Replica of Table Setting Competition]

The OC Fair & Event Center is located off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. For more information, please visit ocfair.com, become a fan at Facebook.com/OCFair or follow us at twitter.com/ocfair. Also, look for the free OC Fair iPhone and Android apps this summer. Get excited for the 2012 Fair! Watch our new commercial on YouTube.

See you there — Nibbles of Tidbits and Kids in the Kitchen love the OC Fair!

Mako Shark, Thresher Shark or Los Angeles County Fair Shark?  They do tricks.  Do you bite?

Opted for a Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog and many more bites.

Smokin’ Meats.

BBQ and Beer.

Sizing up the LA Culinary Arts Competition to see how it compares to the OC.

This Cake is correct and dedicated to all my long time friends — Blessed yes I am.

More Culinary Arts Competition Results — Cakes and Ribbons.

Table Setting Competition Results — I love the Covered Wagon idea.

Moving Dinosaurs — I wonder if they were good BBQ’d by the cavemen.

And Pre-Pulled Pork, Bacon, Carnitas, Chops, Rinds, you get the picture.

Remember all relates to FOOD here, and MILK, one of the best drinks in the world.

Learn how it’s made at the LA Fair aka Pomona Fair.

And had to find the Chuckwagon, the best BBQ Brisket at the OC Fair.

Terri’s Berries is at the LA Fair too, along with much, much, much more — Lots to do and EAT.

It’s the last weekend of the Orange County Fair and today is the final day to munch out on the $1.00 Specials (Fridays, Noon – 4PM).  During that time, most food stands offer something interesting to eat for $1.00.  We had all that’s pictured below, including Deep Fried Bull’s Testicles (yeah, that’s right) and much more.  It’s a great time to try different things.

Note:  Hover your cursor over each photo to learn a little more, or stop by each booth and ask ’em what they’re serving for $1.00.

The Single Day Pie Competition went down today at the Orange County Fair.  Approximately 20 Pies were entered and Ribbons were awarded for Best of Show, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place, plus 3 Honorable Mentions.  After the judging, FREE Pie was served to the public.  It’s best to be around at that time (2PM each Saturday and Sunday at the Promenade Stage).  During this Contest, I happily received an Honorable Mention for my Chocolate Mountain Orange Cream Pie.  It’s pretty good.  Here’s the RECIPE: Orange Cream Pie Recipe.  Enjoy!

More Orange County Fair Competition INFO:

• Culinary Arts Competition Results at the 2009 OC Fair
• Fine Tuning our Scone entry for the OC Fair
• More food related competitions at the OC Fair
• Baking contests at the OC Fair

Each year the Orange County Fair serves up a new weird food item (E.g., Fried Twinkies, Fried White Castle Burgers, etc.), and this year it’s Chocolate Covered Bacon.   We’ve tried ’em all, thus had to sample the Bacon.  As you can see (above), it’s covered in thick Chocolate — And it’s kinda difficult to bite into, since it’s served from the freezer or fridge.

Overall, the flavor isn’t bad and is reminiscent of Chocolate Dipped Pretzels.  The Bacon has a salty flavor and crunchy texture that goes well with Chocolate.  The OC Fair’s Chocolate Covered Bacon is okay, but we would have preferred full strips instead of broken chunks.

It’s served in Chinese take out boxes with a packet of Salt on top, which seems odd, but whatever — We were done after a few bites, though think it’s better than some of the other crazy food items we’ve tried at the Fair.

More posts about Orange County Fair FOOD

Today we tried the “Cheesey Potato Melt” from Original Bratwurst.  It’s Mashed Potatoes with Cheese with optional Bratwurst on top.  It sounded interesting, but only tasted okay — More flavor/spice is needed.  The Orange County Fair’s Daily Events Calendar has a coupon for a FREE one with the purchase of any Sandwich.

And it was fun to see Pinks at the Fair — I’d been to the Pinks in Hollywood, but it’s more convenient to have their Chili Cheese Dog in Orange County.

We found the Chocolate Dipped Bacon and will be trying it this Saturday.  This visit we opted to simply enjoy its producer in the All Alaskan Pig Races.  They’re so cute — The Races run at 3, 5, 7 and 9PM every OC Fair day, and at 1PM on weekends.

And it was Beef Ribs for the road — YUM.  It’s just another day of food and fun things to see and do at the Orange County Fair.

Related Links:

http://www.ocfair.com/2009/

http://www.pinkshollywood.com/

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2009/07/12/food-preview-at-the-orange-county-fair/

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2009/07/10/the-orange-county-fair-opened-today-yeah/

It’s Orange County Fair time again.  We’ll be heading back to try all the new crazy stuff that’s being offered this year.  It’s been rumored that Chocolate Dipped Bacon is being served, but we haven’t seen it yet.  If it’s at the OC Fair, we’re ready for a bite or more. 

The Ribs are always good at the OC Fair and we might try a Grilled Chili Pepper stuffed with Cheese next time — Until then we’re on the hunt for the craziest food items this year.  Check back to see what they are.  Ciao.

Orange County Fair INFO

The results are in for the first phase of the Culinary Arts Competition at the Orange County Fair.  I’m excited to learn that my Ambrosia Bundt Cake won a 2nd Place Ribbon and my Gourmet Nut Clusters won a 3rd Place Ribbon.  Not bad for a first time OC Fair submitter — Two for two.  For the second phase of the Culinary Arts Competition, I’ll be delivering Scones on July 28th, and for the Single-Day LIVE Judging Contest a Pie on July 25th.

This day I met Jaqui Dulebohn (Santa Ana), a Division Winner in the Preserved Foods Competition.  That’s impressive!  It means she won a 1st Place Ribbon, then beat out all the other 1st Place Ribbon winners in the Jam’s Division.  Congratulations to Jaqui on her Apricot Jam.  She looks forward to the competition each year.  ALL entries are displayed in the Home Arts Building.  You’ve got to get to the Fair for all the fabulous food and fun.

OC Fair INFO

Competition & Contest INFO

PHOTOS from 2008’s Culinary Arts Competition

The Orange County Fair opened today — It’s time for our favorite Sandwich. Every year we look forward to the BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich at the Texas Style BBQ Stand.  So far we haven’t found one we like better.  Look for this sign near the Fair entrance, if you want one too.  Is the cow appropriate for this post?  Either way, it’s all at the OC Fair with a whole lot more.  Have FUN and enjoy the FOOD.

Last year’s Sandwich (up close) is linked here — The stand looks a little different this year, if we’ve got it correct.  We’ll check back to confirm.

This year the cooking / baking contests are rotating, due to lack of refrigeration and cost associated with same.  It makes sense too, since the items are perishable and naturally breakdown.  Last year some entries looked terrible towards the later days of the Fair.  It was somewhat comical to look through the glass to see a shriveled up dessert and say to your friends — I can’t believe that won First Place – HA.

The Contest Categories on display this opening day appeared to be Fudge, Cakes, Scones, Biscuits and Breads.  Next year I’m in.  Registration begins in March 2009 — It’s the Home Arts Division.

There’s also a Table Setting Competition.  The table on the far left won First Place, and the other two are my favorites.  Check the link below to learn about more food related contests and competitions happening at the Fair.

More Orange County Fair Info – http://www.ocfair.com/ocf/

It’s definitely a FOOD FEST and I started with my favorite Brisket Sandwich at Texas BBQ.  It’s the best.  I make sure to get (at least) one every year.  Here’s pics of the stand.  It has a cow on top.

The food options appear never ending at the Orange County Fair.  There truly is something interesting around every corner.  This is just a  small taste of 2008’s opening day, and the first of several reports regarding food at this year’s Fair. 

Enjoy the Rotisserie Chicken, Kabobs, Roasted Corn, Smoked Ribs, Turkey Legs, Hamburgers and Sausage — And save room because there’s a lot more.

OC Fair Information – http://www.ocfair.com/ocf/