Whether it’s walking through the midway, grubbing at the food stands or taking a ride on the Ferris wheel, folks show up in droves every year to take in the sun and sounds at the OC Fair.
But the real party begins when the sun goes down and the lights come on.
Fair goers ride the Raptor Coaster beneath the rising moon as night falls over the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nighttime fair goers react as the Disko carnival ride begins to move during at the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A couple takes leisurely nighttime ride on the Sky Ride during the 2023 OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Harold Thola and Alma Ortiz take a selfie with a Pokemon Pikachu stuffed toy they won at OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thousands of fair goers walk through the carnival midway on a warm summer night at the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nighttime fair goers ride the Disko carnival ride at the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alejandra Ramos and her daughter Shoshanna, 2, try their luck at tossing at the rubber duck carnival game in hopes of winning a prize during a nighttime visit to the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brittany Albert, center, of San Diego maneuvers her giant stuffed pickle through the nighttime crowds on the carnival midway after winning it at a ring toss booth at the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fair goers ride on the Sky Flyer carnival past the moonrise as night falls over the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Raptor Coaster towers over thousands of fair goers make their way through the carnival midway on a warm summer night at the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fair goers enjoy a nighttime ride on the Moonraker carnival ride at the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Food booths begin to light up against the sky as the sun sets over the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fair goers ride on the Sky Flyer carnival at sunset at the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Food booths begin to light up against the sky as the sun sets over the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Maileen Gonzalez’s 7-month-old niece Breeja Austin, left, doesn’t appear to know what to think of a stuffed animal held by Paul Burnett during a nighttime trip to the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thousands of fair goers make their way through the carnival midway on a warm summer night at the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thousands of fair goers make their way past the carnival games on a warm summer night at the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A man carries a giant Pokemon Pikachu stuffed toy on his back during a nighttime visit to OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Each warm summer night, thousands of people walk through the fairgrounds during the fair’s 23-day run.
Those who crave a taste of adrenaline might hop on the Raptor Coaster or the Joker360, a swinging pendulum with swinging carriages. The Ferris wheel and the Sky Flyer, are the choice for catching a breather and a great view of the fair lit up against the backdrop of the night sky.
The midway is a frenetic cacophony of sounds from the rides above and the carnival games below. On a recent night, Alejandra Ramos and her 2-year-old daughter were testing their throwing skills at the duck game while Brittany Albert walked away with a giant pickle won at the ring toss game.
Beyond the midway, guests chill out listening to bands, grab one of the food creations that only make sense at a fair or wander among the livestock on display.
The OC Fair is open daily except Monday and Tuesday through Aug 13. Tickets need to be purchased online and some days have been selling out. Get more information at ocfair.com.
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