I was warned before I got to the fair that a major reorganization had taken place. Fortunately, that did not include changes to the auxiliary parking lots, which we have used for years.
The parking lot at Orange Coast College is across the street from the fair and depending on one’s arrival time, it is either a few yards or a couple of blocks to the green gate off of Fairview St.
My wife, Cay, was feeling lucky, so I drove to the lot closest to Fairview Road, then drove to the aisle closest to the street. I found a parking spot in the second row. In fact, I found plenty of spots in the second row, and third and fourth, which is not a good sign. At 6 p.m. on a Saturday, the lots and surrounding areas should be so full we should have to park in Irvine.
Inside the green gate, the changes were noticeable. The game and ride area meant for the littlest kids had been pushed away, replaced by a tent village of merchants selling everything from double-stuffed olives to toys.
We used to spend a lot of time in the family area. But as our kids got older and graduated to the big rides, we now zip right past the ponies and baby slides that used account for so much time and money.
Instead, we devised a plan to see the Peking Acrobats. Kaitlyn and Sae Hee were to secure four seats, Cay was assigned food, and I would do what I am good at, which is wander around aimlessly.
The plan worked. Kaitlyn and Sae Hee got four good seats, Cay got two delicious ears of corn and a stuffed pepper and the show, as always, was exciting.
After the show, I ate a bratwurst, then wandered over to the Orange County Wine Society to see what was new. We met Dick Wolsfelt there, who has been a society member for many years, and he directed Cay to a good champagne and me to a delightful Zinfandel.
