Chris Epting - The Orange County Fair: A History of Celebration

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC 29403

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2015 by Chris Epting

All rights reserved

First published 2015

e-book edition 2015

ISBN 978.1.62585.335.6

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015939216

print edition ISBN 978.1.62619.802.9

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

FOREWORD

Throughout the history of California, fairs have played an important role in the celebration of community.

From a three-day festival in 1890 to a twenty-three-day event with more than 1.3 million guests, the Orange County Fair has brought joy and special memories to millions of fairgoers for 125 years. The Orange County Fair has solidified its importance to the community by celebrating the rich agricultural history of the area and the accomplishments of the people of Orange County and California.

As you celebrate the significant milestone in the Orange County Fairs history, I send my best wishes for a memorable, educational and festive fair.

GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Special thanks to the staff of the OC Fair & Event Center who contributed their time, photos, information and stories. Thanks also to Chris Jepsen and Steve Oftelie at the Orange County Archives for their images and information. I would also like to thank Patrick and Peggy ODonnell for their time and images, as well as Jim Bailey and Becky Bailey (Findley) for their time and stories. Additionally, thanks to writer and Huntington Beach city historian Jerry Person for his remarkable pieces on some of the earliest Orange County Fairs. Finally, thank you to my wife, Jean; son, Charlie; and daughter, Claire, for their support and patience. As always, I am indebted to my family.

INTRODUCTION

An article appeared in the Los Angeles Herald newspaper in 1892, just two years after a certain fair had begun in Orange County, California. Already it was calling it an annual fair. Did the paper have any idea of where it would all go?

THE ORANGE COUNTY ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCE COLT STAKES

The directors of the 32d district of Orange county announce the following colt stakes to be trotted and paced at the annual fair. No. 1Three-year old trotting stake for foals of 1889, and eligible to the 3:00 class. Best 2 in 3, mile heats, to harness; $100 added by the association. No. 2Two-year old trotting stake for foals of 1890. Best 2 in 3, mile heats, to harness; $75 added by the association. No. 3Two-year-old pacing stake for foals of 1890. Best two in three, mile heats, to harness; $75 added by the association. No. 4One-year-old trotting stakes for foals of 1891. Best two in three, mile heats, to harness, one hour between heats; $50 added by the association. No. 5One-year-oldsOne-year-old pacing stakes for foals of 1891. Best two in three, mile heats, to harness, one hour between heats; $50 added by the association. Entries close March 10th, when the first payment is to be made. The payments are in easy installments. Entry blanks containing conditions and all other information can be obtained by addressing W.A. Beckett, Santa Ana.

The Los Angeles Times detailed in 1979:

Shortly after Orange County was formed, in 1889, the Orange County Fair Corporation was formed. There was no fair as such in 1890, but the newly incorporated group sponsored a horse race in Southwest Santa Ana and put up some fair exhibits in the French building. It wasnt an extremely active group, since a second group got underway in 1894. It was when the second group of men tried to form the Orange County community fair corporations they discovered the name already been taken. State law prevented a second organization from taking the name for 50 years. Not to let a good idea go to waste, the group renamed themselves the Orange County Fair Association, Incorporated, and began to plan for annual fairs.

And plan they did. Back in 2014, I wrote a preview article in advance of the opening of Orange County Fair. It was a fairly simple and short piece just to offer a brief description of the path the fair had taken over the course of almost 125 years:

One of Orange Countys most venerable traditions returns this week. Celebrating its 124th year, the Orange County Fair has charmed, dazzled and delighted millions of people over the years with rich traditions that go far beyond deep-fried Twinkies and bacon-wrapped everything.

In its earliest incarnation, back in the 1890s, it was a quaint community fair that didnt even last a week. There were no food vendors nor carnival rides; simply some livestock exhibits and even a horse race.

Over the years it hopped around the county, from Anaheim to Santa Ana and (during World War II) to Huntington Beach, until eventually settling in Costa Mesa in the early 1950s.

For all of its Midwest trappings and classic fair touches, the Orange County Fair also boasts several homegrown finishes that have become touchstones of this vaunted event.

For one, there is the recognition of special Orange County residents whove made a positive difference in the community. They are celebrated each year with special ribbons and awards.

Then of course there is the Centennial Farm, the centerpiece of the agricultural area of the fair, celebrating the deep roots of Orange County. Centennial Farm is an actual three-acre working farm that was created to provide educational opportunities regarding agriculture for visitors. Chickens, cattle, goats and other farm animals all call this home and can be easily viewed while walking through the lush and fragrant gardens.

For folks that love fair food, here are some interesting facts from 2014, as reported by the fair: