With the summer sun comes the sizzling smell of chocolate covered bacon…..it’s fair time!
Desperate for a Fair ($-$$)
RV Demolition Derby, Budweiser Clydesdales, biggest backyard vegetables, hypnotist, pie-eating competition, 3-D tour of a human brain (hosted by “Weird Al” Yankovic) and racing pigs. What’s not to love about the Orange County Fair (July 16 – Aug. 15)? So much to do and concerts too – ZZ Top, Styx, Martina McBride, Faith Hill and John Legend. But the best treat of all – FAIR FOOD! Eat your way from the gate to the midway. A smorgasbord of euphoric caloric choices including fair favorites: fried dough, fried cheese, fried anything. And did I mention the racing pigs? Even after you’ve come home, get your fair fix in a click. Bookmark the pig cam to see what the little porkers are up to all month long. Kristin suggests: Be sure to check out the fair schedules, map and price promotions before going.
Tastes Fairly Good ($)
Fast 24 hours (in advance) cuz you’ll want room with a view for LA Street Food Fair’s Summer Tasting Event at the Pasadena Rose Bowl (July 24). One ticket ($45) gets you parking, admission and all the food/drink you can stomach. The itinerary includes a food truck throw down, celebrity judges (Suzanne Feninger, Walter Mantzke), 50+ food vendors including The Munchie Machine, The Don Chow Taco Truck and Cupcakes a Go Go plus more than 13 choices of tequila and mezcal to wash it all down. One bummer – no racing pigs here (just The Flying Pig Truck) – seems they caught ’em all earlier!
Downtown Fairs & Flea Markets (FREE – $)
Circle the food trucks, Dodger Stadium is getting into the Sunday tag sale game with the premiere of the LA Flea Market on July 18th. All the standard fare is there: antiques, collectibles, vintage items and tube socks. Admission is $10. In case you miss it this month, no worries, it’s on the boards for next month too.
Still itching for something special? Answer this question – Do you own a glue gun? Have you watched more than 30 seconds of a Cricut infomercial? Do you even know what the Cricut is? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, make downtown a double play by heading back the next weekend for the 2nd Annual Renegade Craft Fair (July 24 & 25). 200 of the nation’s craftiest crafters come together at LA’s State Historic Park to sell their homemade wares and artistic creations. Felt hand puppets, crazy quilts, knitted neck warmers and a host of other one-of-a-kind finds you never imagined. But be warned, attendees risk being bitten by the “I can make that” craft bug. Symptoms include the immediate urge to splurge on a Martha Stewart Simple Sewing Machine.
Not-To-Miss Event: “Nanny McPhee Returns” (starring Emmy Thompson) sneak preview screening at the historic Orpheum Theatre (8/15) downtown. The 1926 Orpheum Theatre on Broadway was the fourth and final home of the famed Orpheum vaudeville circuit in Los Angeles. Designed by G. Albert Lansburgh, the theatre features a grand interior with gold-leaf decoration, silk wall panels, and enormous chandeliers. Tickets on sale now ($10A, $8K). Hosted by LA Conservancy.
Not-To-Miss Event: July 17th marks the 17th Annual Glendale Cruise Night. Over 450 pre-1979 cars will be on display. Chubby Checkers (“The Twist”) is the featured entertainment. Plenty of food and drink on hand.
Follow-Up Event: It was great to see Kristin Sent Me subscribers at the opening of my show Inside Private Lives. We had so much fun! The show continues July 17, 24 & 31st (8pm). Check the website to see the characters portrayed each week and be sure to stay after the show to say “hello.”
Have a great week and don’t forget to tell ‘em “Kristin sent me.”
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