Orange County Fair Gets Pricier While Executives Enjoy Upgrades

Going to the local county fair in Orange County is costing families more money this year. At the same time, the people running the fair are saving extra cash and spending millions on fancy new upgrades for themselves. Let’s break it all down in a simple way.

Ticket Prices Are Going Up

Here’s what you need to know about getting into the fair:

• The fair happens at the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds and ends on Aug. 16.
• The fair is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
• If you buy a weekend (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) ticket before the fair opens, it costs $15 per person.
• Once the fair opens on Friday, weekend tickets jump to $18 per person.
• This is the first year they offered a cheaper "pre-fair" price. Last year, weekend tickets were $15 both before and during the fair.
• Weekday (non-weekend) admission is $13 per person.
• Kids and seniors pay $9 this year, but senior price goes up to $10 when the fair opens.

Important: The fair added the cheaper pre-fair price so families who plan ahead can save money. Fairgrounds spokesperson Terry Moore said they wanted to "give fairgoers more affordable options by pre-planning."

Parking Costs

Parking prices have slowly climbed over the years:

• This year, parking a standard car costs $15.
• That’s the same as last year.
• Before that, it was $10, then went to $12 in 2023, and $15 in 2024.

What a Family Pays Just to Get In

Let’s do the math for a family of four (two adults, two kids) going on a Saturday:

1. Parking: $15
2. Two adult weekend tickets: $18 × 2 = $36
3. Two kids tickets: $9 × 2 = $18
4. Total: $15 + $36 + $18 = $69

That’s just to walk in the door—before any food, drinks, rides, or souvenirs!

Why Are Prices Going Up?

Fair officials say costs are rising:

• Michele Capps, the fair’s Chief Business Development Officer, says labor costs are $2.46 million higher than last year.
• Utility (like electricity and water) and operating costs are also up.
• She says admission prices stayed steady for years and were lower than similar events.
• By raising weekend adult tickets by $3, they hope to make $1.5 million more in revenue.
• The fair is "self-funded," meaning it pays for itself. Leaders say they need the money to improve the property and offer more programs year-round.

Important: The fair says the extra money helps build a "solid financial foundation" and pay for improvements without outside help.

Fairgrounds Executives Get a $25 Million HQ, Reserves Grow

While visitors pay more, fairgrounds leaders got a big upgrade:

• The administrative building (where employees work) got a $25 million expansion.
• It added over 15,000 square feet of space for meetings and storage—more than doubling its original size.
• This was part of a multi-phase plan to upgrade fairgrounds buildings and opened earlier this year.

At the same time, the fair’s savings (called "reserves") are growing:

• End of 2022: over $67 million in reserves.
• End of 2024: about $53 million (after dips in 2020 and 2023).
• End of last year: about $60 million.

OC Leaders Get Free Event Tickets

While regular folks pay more, some Orange County politicians and friends get perks:

• The fair hosts four private "Business Development Dinners" each year with fancy food (like short ribs and salmon) paid for by tax dollars.
• Guests are picked by the fair’s CEO and have included county supervisors, state assembly members, and many city mayors.
• Fair board members also get free tickets to shows at the fairgrounds.
  • Last year, they took about $22,000 worth of free tickets.
  • Natalie Rubalcava (also an Anaheim councilmember) got the most: over $6,600.
  • Dimetria Jackson got about $5,500.
  • Tanya Bilezikjian got about $2,800.
  • Nick Kovacevich got just under $4,000.
  • Robert Ruiz got just under $2,000.
  • Barbara Bagneris got about $1,500.
  • Newton Pham got about $300.
• The fair also donated about 4,500 free admission tickets to groups like the Girl Scouts and Boys & Girls Clubs.

Important: Ordinary visitors pay higher prices, but local officials and board members enjoy free or subsidized meals and entertainment.

Summary

This year, the Orange County Fair is more expensive for regular visitors. Weekend tickets are $18 at the gate (or $15 if bought early), parking is $15, and a family of four can spend $69 just to enter. Fair bosses say the increases cover rising labor and operating costs and help fund a $25 million office upgrade. Meanwhile, the fair’s savings are growing, and politicians and board members get free dinners and tickets while families pay more.

FAQ

Q: How can I save money on fair tickets?
A: Buy weekend tickets before the fair opens for $15 instead of $18. Weekday tickets are also cheaper at $13.

Q: Why did the fair build a $25 million office?
A: It was part of a long-term plan to upgrade fairgrounds buildings and give employees more space for meetings and storage.

Q: Do fair board members really get free tickets?
A: Yes. Last year they used about $22,000 in free tickets to shows, plus invite-only dinners for officials.

Q: Is the fair closed any days?
A: Yes, it is closed every Monday and Tuesday.

Q: Where does the fair’s money come from?
A: It is self-funded, meaning it relies on ticket sales, parking, and events rather than regular government funding.