Fried Tiramisu to Street Corn Baked Potatoes: Find Fantastical Foods at OC Fair The Costa Mesa OC Fair is set to open on July 17, marking the start of a month-long celebration of culinary innovation. The event, held at the OC Fair and Event Center, will run through August 16, offering visitors a chance to explore over 100 food vendors showcasing creative and unconventional dishes. From whimsical food mash-ups to bold flavor combinations, the fair promises a unique dining experience that blends tradition with experimentation. Highlights of the food lineup include Korean corn dogs, a longstanding OC Fair favorite, which will be reimagined in 2026 with options like Takis-coated versions or buldak ramen-infused twists. Mustard’s will serve these inventive takes, while Biggy’s will offer Dutch fries topped with black truffle mayo. Other standout items include the Philly Cheese Steak burger, which pairs with peanut butter and jelly for a sweet-and-savory twist, and the Dubai-style deep-fried Oreos from Fried Affair. The fair’s menu also features the French Onion Ten Pound Bun, a decadent and cheesy creation from Ten Pound Buns, and the Croffle, a buttery croissant-waffle hybrid topped with vanilla ice cream, available at Mom’s Bakeshoppe. These dishes exemplify the fair’s reputation for pushing boundaries, combining unexpected ingredients into memorable, shareable experiences. The OC Fair has long been a hub for adventurous eaters, with its reputation for serving unlikely yet delicious temptations. Attendees can expect to take as many photos as bites, capturing the vibrant array of flavors and textures on display. The event’s focus on creativity and variety ensures that visitors will encounter something new with every visit, making it a must-attend destination for food enthusiasts.#costa_mesa #oc_fair #ten_pound_buns #mom_s_bakeshoppe #mustards
OC Fair 2026: Full Guide to Admission, Parking, and Attractions The 2026 Orange County Fair, a major annual event in Costa Mesa, will run from July 17 to August 16, spanning 23 days. The fairgrounds, located at 88 Fair Drive, will welcome over a million visitors during its extended season, with daily operations scheduled from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends. Notably, the fair will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, with adjusted hours on Fridays and Saturdays extending to midnight. The event promises a mix of entertainment, food, and family-friendly activities, including a new 118-foot Air Raid ride that will subject thrill-seekers to up to 4Gs of force. Admission pricing for the fair has undergone changes this year, with general admission set at $13 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, the same as in previous years. However, prices increase to $18 for Fridays and weekends, reflecting higher demand during peak hours. Senior citizens aged 60 and older will pay $10, while children aged 6 to 12 will have access for $9. Young children under five will enter for free. A critical detail is that daily admission is capped at approximately 50,000 visitors, requiring attendees to purchase tickets online in advance. For those attending shows at the Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar, or Action Sports Arena, admission to these events includes free fair entry on the day of the performance. The fair also introduced several discounted options to accommodate frequent visitors and early planners. The Every Day Passport, priced at $60, offers unlimited access to the fair without restrictions on days or times, though availability is limited.#costa_mesa #oc_fair_2026 #orange_county_fair #pacific_amphitheatre #action_sports_arena
Jake Knapp's Unlikely NHL Sponsorship: From Costa Mesa to PGA Tour Stardom Jake Knapp, a lifelong fan of the Anaheim Ducks, has turned his passion for hockey into a unique partnership with the NHL team, despite his own career as a professional golfer. The 29-year-old, who hails from Costa Mesa, Calif., has made headlines for his unexpected sponsorship deal with the Ducks, a relationship that began during his early days on the golf course and has since evolved into a significant endorsement. Knapp’s journey from a local golf club to the PGA Tour and the Masters Tournament highlights the intersection of his personal fandom and professional success. Knapp’s connection to the Ducks began in his childhood, as he grew up in Costa Mesa, a city just over 13 miles from the Honda Center, the team’s home arena. Born on May 31, 1994, he spent his formative years playing golf at the local Costa Mesa Country Club, where he developed a deep appreciation for the sport. His early exposure to the Ducks came through regular attendance at games, and the team became a central part of his life. However, his path to the PGA Tour was anything but straightforward. After playing college golf at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Knapp joined the Korn Ferry Tour in 2016, a developmental league for aspiring PGA Tour players. It was during this time that his relationship with the Ducks took an unexpected turn. In 2020, Knapp secured a sponsorship with the Ducks, a partnership that was both a personal and professional milestone. The deal was facilitated by his longstanding friendship with the team’s former general manager, Bob Murray, and then-president Tim Ryan. Knapp first met Murray and Ryan while playing a round of golf at his local country club, where he was paired with the two executives.#anaheim_ducks #masters_tournament #korn_ferry_tour #jake_knapp #costa_mesa
