COSTA MESA, Calif., April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The OC Fair returns July 15-August 14, 2011, with a summer celebration of food, fun and family under the theme of "LET'S EAT!"  

In a nod to this year's theme, which celebrates the full spectrum of gastronomical adventures, the OC Fair is offering food-related programming to please everyone's palate from farm to family to table. On Fridays from Noon-4 p.m., Fairgoers can sample a variety of Fair food for only $2 each taste. For those who love cooking, there will be cooking demonstrations by local professional and celebrity chefs along with themed food exhibits, contests and more.  

To kick off the 23-day celebration, the Fair is offering free admission and parking during its Opening Hour on Friday, July 15, from Noon-1 p.m. For Fair diehards, the popular Super Pass will return at $30 for adult, $25 for seniors (60+) and $20 for children (6-12) and will give those  who cannot get enough of the Fair daily access at one low price.  The Heroes Get in Free promotion offers active military (with valid ID) free admission each day. The We Care Wednesday donation drives offers free admission and one carnival ride to each Fairgoer with a donation on Wednesdays from Noon-4 p.m. (donation requirements vary each week); Thursdays are Kid's Day when youth 12 and under can enjoy the Fair for free and Fridays are Senior's Day which celebrates guests 60 and older with a discount on admission and free merry-go-round and Ferris wheel rides. The Fair is closed on Monday and Tuesday.

The Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre at the 2011 OC Fair provides a premiere concert experience at a fan-friendly ticket price and, as always, concert tickets include free Fair admission. Headline acts for this year include Steve Miller Band, Selena Gomez, Weezer, Neon Trees, Chicago, Tiger Army, Big Time Rush, and Melissa Etheridge, with more to be announced.

In The Hangar, the Fair will host tribute bands and other nightly entertainment. This year, tribute bands will perform music from Abba, Elton John, Aerosmith, Van Halen, No Doubt, David Bowie, Journey, Queen and more, while original music will be offered by Hawaiian sensation Hapa and Latin favorite Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez.

The Action Sports Arena will feature new entertainment with the OC Fair Kart Racing Challenge, Pogopalooza and JUMP! The Ultimate Dog Show, along with returning favorites Speedway Fair Derby, X-Treme Freestyle Moto-X, Extreme Rodeo, Bull Riding, five nights of Demolition Derby, Fiesta del Charro, SummerFist and other action-packed events. Limited non-reserved seating is available free with Fair admission.

The OC Fair competitions and contests will showcase the creative culinary ideas and agricultural triumphs of Southern Californians. Competitions and contests are for all ages and are fun for the whole family. Registration forms, deadlines and other details can be found at ocfair.com/competitions.

The 2011 OC Fair, themed LET'S EAT!, is July 15 – August 14 and will bring 23 days of food, rides, exhibits, animals, music, action sports and fun, as well as the popular Super Pass (season pass), Pacific Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena. The Fair is open Wednesday-Sunday. The OC Fair was ranked the eighth highest attended fair in the U.S. last year by Venues Today magazine.

The OC Fair & Event Center is located off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. For more information, please visit ocfair.com, become a fan at Facebook.com/OCFair or follow us at twitter.com/ocfair.

SOURCE OC Fair & Event Center