Sweet home Costa Mesa, where the sky is so blue and the Orange
County Fair is through.
OK, excuse us for having a little lyrical fun, but this year's
fair probably will be remembered most for taking a big step toward
reversing the long-standing image that the only entertainment fair
organizers can muster are acts that are as stale as a 10-day-old,
10-pound bun.
Not anymore.
Immediately after last year's fair, organizers of the 2002 event
worked hard to bring in interesting artists to perform, the result
being an overall increase in attendance for the two-week
extravaganza.
Part of the success of this year's endeavor comes from having more
money to throw at fresher talent. The fair increased its budget for
bands and comedians by 16% this year, providing folks such as Steve
Beazley, the fair's deputy manager, with more than $1 million to
spend.
The cash infusion helped to provide a show every night and the
ability to book popular bands like country rock's Lynyrd Skynyrd,
1970s classic bands Heart and Styx, the 1980s phenoms the B-52s and
Huey Lewis and the News and, for the younger crowd, the Indigo Girls
and Save Ferris.
Comedians Weird Al Yankovic and Carrot Top were also popular
draws.
But aside from the musical acts, the fair continues to be a top
attraction year after year with its carnival rides, animal exhibits,
craft displays and smorgasbord of delectable goodies to eat.
Truly, the fair's ability to draw even more people in its 110th
year of existence is a testament to its popularity in a county that
increasingly has little ties to the event's rural roots. Coming up
with relevant entertainment and keeping true to the fair's good
old-fashioned brand of fun is a big task, and we commend organizers,
led by General Manager Becky Bailey-Findley and the fair board, for
their success.
Indeed, there were no major catastrophes or injuries or arrests
this year and, as usual, it was a fun time had by all the thousands
of visitors who attended each day.
Our only gripe is the extra pounds we need to shed after a steady
diet of fair food.
