- NEWS
- SPORTS
- BUSINESS
- ENTERTAINMENT
- LIFE
- TRAVEL
- OPINION
As OC Fair graduates from cattle drive to film production, some are outraged
June 9th, 2009, 4:00 am · 99 Comments · posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writer
So how does a county fair — livestock, carnival rides, fuzzy newborn chicks — wind up going all Hollywood and becoming, you know, a film producer?
Or, put another way: How does a branch of the California Department of Food and Agriculture morph into the Mel Gibson/Steven Spielberg/Jerry Bruckheimer of county carnivals?
This has perplexed us since we at The Watchdog learned that the 32nd District Agricultural Association (the Orange County Fair’s formal name - don’t starlets always have something catchier for the screen?!) was going to spend $2.5 million to make a movie.
Not a movie about the triumph and tragedy of raising livestock, or the glorious history of Orange County citrus, but a movie about … Weird Al Yankovic’s brain.
This struck us as a sizable chunk of change (nearly 10 percent of total spending, which is about $29 million a year) — and bit far afield of the fair’s mission (”Celebration of Orange County’s Communities, Interests, Agriculture and Heritage”).
Like, Weird Al’s brain is not even from Orange County! And the Los Angeles County Fair – which could rightly claim Hollywood as an integral part of its heritage — has not produced anything beyond its own TV commercials, officials there said.
We are not the only ones who were puzzled. We received several outraged e-mails and snail mails from fair employees — purists, perhaps — who view this as an abomination, especially since the fair’s traditional cattle drive has been canceled and its equestrian center may be paved over to provide more “flat, flexible space” (for parking, exhibitions, etc.).
“OUR MONEY goes toward the production of movies - DISGUSTING!!!” said one Letter of Outrage . “WHY IS OUR MONEY BEING WASTED ON MAKING MOVIES???”
It struck us as a reasonable question. So we took it up with OC Fair CEO Steve Beazley.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION?
A film producer, for the record, “initiates, co-ordinates, supervises and controls matters such as fund-raising, hiring key personnel and arranging for distributors.”
The genesis of “Al’s Brain” - a 10 minute, 3-D, educational film about, you know, the brain - began in 2005. “Al has been performing here for many years, and his concerts are so popular, we thought we’d take another medium and play upon that popularity,” Beazley said.
In 2007, the fair’s (appointed, volunteer) board of directors gave “Al’s Brain” the thumbs up, as well as a budget of $2.2 million. It began “preproduction” of the movie and exhibit elements of the new, $8 million building that would house it and other exhibitions (said building will not be ready when the fair opens next month, so “Al’s Brain” will screen in a Cirque de Soleil-style tent on the fairgrounds).
WHY?
“We’re trying to build and retain audiences,” Beazley said. “Disney puts in a new attraction every year to keep people coming back, and we took that model of making sure we give our audiences something new.”
Beazley likened “Al’s Brain” to Disney’s “Captain EO“ (the short 3-D film that starred Michael Jackson, was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, and executive-produced by George Lucas -can’t say our fair folks aren’t ambitious!), and was a fixture at Disney parks in the 1980s. “It’s more like a Disney attraction,” he said. “It’s really an educational exhibit as much as a movie.”
HOW MUCH?
The film itself is running about $950,000.- The other $1.2 million or so is paying for the development and production of the educational displays, exhibit pieces, 3-D glasses - basically everything else that’s required, including staffing and rentals.
Anyway, complaints that the fair failed to follow regular bidding procedures for the film contract are unfounded, officials said. Our colleague Tony Saavedra has combed through those contracts. While the fair didn’t follow the established rules, it is in the process of working things out with the state contracts people; and none of the applicants for the project that he talked to is complaining, or thinks that a more formal bidding process was necessary, Saavedra said.
HAVE BRAIN, WILL TRAVEL
It could turn out to be a money-maker: “Al’s Brain” is hitting the road.
Orange County hopes to lease the film out to other fairs across the nation. In September, it will play at the Puyallup Fair in western Washington state. Puyallup will just pay the costs of getting it there, “as a showcase,” Beazley said; there is no lease price set for “Al’s Brain” yet.
WHY THE ANGER?
So, why are some folks so mad?
“Because it’s a high profile project, like the (Pacific) Amphitheatre,” Beazley said. “Obviously, you’re not going to go after the floral exhibit if you’re mad. It’s something new for the fair, too, and change is always hard. We’ve always displayed entertainment, but maybe it feels uncomfortable because it’s different.”
Or perhaps because some folks’ fear the fair’s raison d’etre - as the embodiment of our old farming roots - is disappearing for good?
The Letter of Outrage puts it this way: “County fair traditions are being eliminated in favor of becoming another commercialized amusement park.”
As the fair weighs ”alternate land uses” for its equestrian center — namely, transforming it into “flat, flexible space” — some certainly mourn.
“In an ever-urbanizing county,” Beazley said, “it’s getting more and more difficult to have rural-type activities.”
More Watchdog:
- OC Fair executives accept gifts worth thousands
- Drought-induced building freeze not necessary - yet, officials say
- Is ’severe drought just a chance to hike water rates?
- No-puppy-mill and spay-neuter bills progress in Sacramento
- Millions misspent by state insurance agency, and nobody cares, OC attorney says
- Brown sues to shut down five O.C. charities
- Management company calls us names, defends ‘mystery’ incentive program
- Maddening DMV glitch fixed, state says - but it’s too late for Irvine man
- Addiction center suffers from flawed state investigation, attorney says
- Irvine will spend $275,000 to expand vintage aircraft collection
- Mystery incentive program cost Laguna Woods Village seniors $5.4 million
- San Onofre performance will improve, officials vow
- Wow! Cost of mothballing nuclear reactor rivals cost of building it
- Bad timing: State slices program that helps schools slice costs
- Conflict? Councilwoman backs $24 million tax break for upscale hotel near her upscale bar
- Sweetheart deal for company headed by former Caltrans official?
- Push for more local water leads to hefty $204,000 fine. Unfair?
- State water board will think harder about $204,000 fine
- Former Anaheim city manager hits jackpot with pension
- “Free” credit report costs Orange woman $832
- Retired Vernon official collects a $500K pension–while under indictment
- Did fired OC air marshal endanger flying public, or protect it?
- How did consultant’s $15 million job morph into $126 million job?
- Torture memo’s author may face discipline from state bar
- Kills double at OC’s largest “pro-humane” animal shelter
- Former Garden Grove police chief gets house arrest for embezzlement
- As San Onofre struggles with errors, NRC scrutiny picks up
- Oops. State employees wasted millions, auditor says
- Laguna Woods approves OC’s first mandatory spay-neuter law
- State considers ban on big screen TVs
Reader Comments
Comments are encouraged, but you must follow our User Agreement.- Keep it civil and stay on topic.
- No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks.
- People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
99 Comments
Leave a Reply
You can follow this blog: on 
Be real, do you see any agriculture in OC anymore? No you see overpriced homes that helped destroy the economy.
have you driven down Sand Canyon in Irvine during strawberry season with your windows down? There is a surprising amount of agriculture in parts of the county, not to mention the truly rural areas up along the Ortega Highway and in the canyons. You can be real, but do you have to be so bitter?
Dina very true…..
but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate the roots of our county
Its a county fair.You dont need to look to Disney for a business model. Who is running this madhouse? I hope Arnold sells it. A private company can spend its money anyway it sees fit. Right now the cash belongs to the taxpayer. Stop blowing it on garbage.
Actually, the money does not belong to the tax payer. The Fair takes no tax dollars, they live off of ticket sales. And if this movie sells more tickets, isn’t that the point?
Maybe not, but it is still a waste of OUR state property. I, too, think Schwarzenegger should sell the fairgrounds. This is ridiculous!!
I think they should sell the so called Great Park (which still isn’t open after ten years) and turn it into what it should have been all along. A job creating, tax generating international airport. Then LAX or San Diego wouldn’t get our OC sales tax dollars on airfares.
One thing’s for sure: if you can somehow understand the allure of watching a pig race, you can totally get why NASCAR is popular.
Why isn’t Weird Al paying for this?
Cause actors don’t usually pay to be in movies. They get paid to be in the movie. Where have you been living?
I think they need to fire everyone on the fair’s board and replace them with people from the midwest who knows how it should be done!
chuckconners,
Please check your facts. The OC Fair is “self funded” and does NOT use taxpayes funds…
I read the 08/09 Ca Fair expenditure plan. The fair is self funded. Still….to those on the fair board in Costa Mesa - no more freebies.
a sad day.
but OC is big biz
cant expect much else from that leadership
Perhaps we just need a name change
CEMENT COUNTY
for truth in advertising?
I am boycotting this year. For the past several years, I’ve won divisions, blues and even a best of show for baking. Thanks for the article, this reminds me that I need to give the fair officials a piece of my own mind.
I am boycotting your boycott.
So you’re protesting the gradual reduction of ruralness from the County Fair by removing everything rural that you contribute to it?
If people stop participating in the traditional things, but if the organizers see everyone coming to see this movie (and they will), then they’ll just eliminate the traditional things entirely.
Al has a brain? Seems like a lot of money for a search party.
Just another stupid move by the OC Fair Board. What a joke!
It would be surely interesting to know if anyone who profited in any way from the Al’s brain movie deal are relatives, partners, friends, etc. of those who green lighted this project.
ALL HAIL THE MACHINE….!
Beazley and the board members will do what they dam well please to generate as much money as they possibly can……
They even changed the Fairs mission statement to get more wiggle-room, loop-hole manipulation for their anti-agricultural schemes.
I love Beazley’s “Raison d’être” reference….
I’m sure all us Fair-going simpletons are familar with that phrase….NOT……..(I had to look it up)….
it’s a phrase borrowed from French where it means.. “reason for being”; …..in English use, it comes to suggest a “degree of rationalization”, as “The claimed reason for the existence of something or someone”.
Well, a good rationalizer can certainly make a very good 6 figure living working for the OC Fairboard.
I’m a fan of Weird Al, but I’m also a lifelong OC resident, and I don’t believe this film is appropriate for the County Fair. C’mon, celebrate the heritage of the county. Maybe most of the county is now urbanized, but it’s fun celebrating our own county fair and the roots of this area. No slight on Weird Al, but spend the money for the film on other elements needed for the fair.
Dear Everyone
I am flying from England to the USA specifically to see the Weird Al exhibit, attend the fair and spend my tourist dollars in Orange County. My friend likewise is coming all the way from Argentina for the same reason as well as innumerable Weird Al fans from all over the USA and Canada and probably elsewhere.
Do you think that we would come to see sheep and cows? Umm no way.
The OC Fair is a BIG event and it needs more than animals to keep it at present levels I totally support the vision of Mr Beazley and others who realise that people want top quality entertainment suitable for the 21st Century, and whilst I do love the county fairs we have here at home theyre on a far more modest scale than this The OC Fair is something you can be rightly proud of for being innovative and moving with the times We have nothing to compare in the UK… AND we dont have Al’s Brain. Therefore its worth it to me to spend several thousand dollars coming to see that.
Regards
Louise Hunter
Lymington
England
We would rather you stay home, thank you. The OC fair is for the people of Orange county, and therefore, your opinion does not matter.
Jeez, Kaileen, gracious host, huh? Whew!
So people from LA and Riverside are not allowed to come to our beloved fair either? Give me a break.
Well said
I meant well said Kaileen. It is a COUNTY fair after all. Any other visitors just make it hard to park and clog up traffic. I don’t think the straits are so dire yet as to solicit to LA and IE. Y’all got yer own fairs.
dayum and wtf, kaileen? i’d rather you leave our beloved OC if you’re going to be that much of a little sh*t. Louise, you and your friend from Argentina should just move here and we’ll boot Kaileen to make room for you. jeebus.
and td99, the fair is for EVERYONE. since when has this become some ultra exclusive county only event? i’ve never heard of such fair-nazi’s before.
go to your own fairs? REALLY? hahahaahah. you and kaileen are hi-larity. sad thing is, i think you may be serious.
Louise,
That’s an interesting point. But, our county fairs display heritage and have always been a place for our youth and others to show off animals they have raised. We have a rich equestrian heritage that the fair board is considering abondoning. There is room for both.
With that logic why not get rid of Buckingham Palace and move Weird Al’s mind in there?
Tom Davidson
Orange, CA
TOM! What a BRILLIANT Plan! What about it AL? I know youre reading this…
I’d swap the British Royal family for Al any day of the week; as even though the Queen is my 17th cousin, she never sends me a Christmas card so yeah I’d be up for that
Seriously though I’m sure there is room for the old AND the new
tom…really? you’re comparing the OC fair with buckingham palace? you do realize that england has toilets older than our country, don’t you? have some respect, people. i love the fair, too, but man…when did people start making it into some grand historical marquee event defines the county/nation/world?
oh, is it because we have no history? i get it.
I think if we were having a discussion in 1987 about a Weird Al 3-D movie attraction it would make much more sense. It seems to be a lot of money to spend for a pseudo-celebrity who draws an “ironic” fan base.
well Loiuse, the citizens of Orange County should have a say as to how their county is portrayed.
Not all of us feel the need to have tourists come in and take over a fair just because they want to see weird al.
Well yes Nathan but without major revenue the Fair is going to have to scale down long term surely? A major attraction like this could bring in a whole lot of US residents too that hadnt thought of coming to the fair before.. they might even make it an annual visit, who knows, and top notch entertainment is always a big draw surely. OK people coming from overseas is an extreme example, but Im looking forward to my first visit to California, and If I have good fun I’ll be back, Weird Al or no..
I can understand people wanting to preserve their traditions and the local feel of all of that, but there reaches a point, especially in this economy where the whole concept becomes unsustainable without growth/change. Im just saying I believe it was a bold idea to go with this.. and I really hope it pays off for the OC Fair
very true, and I could see your point if it was someone other than a washed up 1980’s performer.
On a side note he has performed at the fair for years and this is the reason you are coming to the fair from England is to see a 3d movie about the brain revolved around his missing. OK.
Well I don’t know about “washed up” seeing as his most recent album and single were the biggest hits of his long career. I wish he was playing live at the Fair of course, but I saw him live twice last year in Ohio and PA (yes I am a keen fan) I am really looking forward to going to CA. Before I heard about this exhibit it had never really crossed my mind to come so far. I can totally see why you guys are peeved about this huge expenditure, believe me, but I hope you will give Al’s Brain a fair go. It’s not Al’s fault, he’s just doing a job he was commissioned to do, rightly or wrongly. I’m sure it will be enjoyable and I for one will be very pleased to be at one of the legendary US County Fairs. I guess thats a unique experience.
This article is typical rabble-rousing, and it seems to be working based on the comments. The “Al’s Brain” project is just a new feature at the Fair, and it is not linked to paving over the equestrian area or getting rid of the Fair’s agricultural roots. Why blend all those topics? Oh, to make it sound like the Fair Board is totally out of control, and wasting money at the same time as they destroy the Fair.
I don’t hear people complaining about all the spa retailers, or 2 huge exhibition halls filled with people selling Sham-Wows and Mega-Juicers, but God forbid a project like this go forward. The Register could write a similarly sarcastic article about an expansion of agricultural activities, and people would be posting the same negative remarks about that.
thank you!
If you want to be mad about something, just how is OC portrayed by deep fried twinkes?
I go to the Fair specifically for the things they seem to be phasing out. I like to see the animals, the farm things, the growing garden, and the floral sections. I like the building with the Orange County organizations. I like the building with the quilting and baking and I love looking at the table decorations and seeing which one I would pick. These are what the Fair is about to me. I am not interested in big new attractions. Those are for Disneyland. Please don’t take away the equestrian area. I love to see the horses.
You know you can visit the farms and gardens even when the fair isn’t going on right? And it’s free…
Most people don’t fly across the country or world just to attend the OC Fair. If there’s a few fans of Weird Al that do, I think that population is so small and insignficant to think that this exhibit will be revolutionary and turn around attendance levels. Out of towners will attend the fair because they happen to be in Orange County, not the other way around. I also believe in my personal opinion that local residences such as myself will think this costly exhibit will have any factor as to whether I will go or not go to the fair.
Personally the reason why I go to the fair is because of the local exhibits such as the livestock, photography, arts and crafts not because of a Disneyland like movie. The OC Fair cannot and should not try and compete with big theme parks. They are better doing the nitch they’ve always done well. I’ll be at the OC Fair this year but I have zero interest in Al’s brain.
Something tells me, if leaving the fair “the way things have always been” was working, they wouldn’t feel the need to make such an attraction.
Let’s face it. Newer generations just don’t appreciate what the rest of us grew up with. If this gets a newer, younger audience to go (we’re only gonna last so long) then do it! If it sucks, then we can point and laugh! If it works, however, then at least we know the fair has another year under it’s belt.
Pinky22 - Couldn’t have said it better. That is why I go to the fair!
Now that the concerts are no longer free, they need to look at ways to draw people, otherwise it’s the same thing year after year. Either way the fair is too expensive and crowded. I’d rather spend my money elsewhere.
the same type of concerts that were always free are still free. Paid admission is for Pacific Amp. the only “concerts” you pay for outside of PA is reserved seating. Get your facts straight before you start whining.
A very simple solution…….BOYCOTT THE FAIR! D on’t let them get away with this. I remember when EVERYTHING (shows / music) was FREE with admission……now look $79.00 for a ticket to see Judas Priest?????
C’mon now!
Boycott the Fair? Don’t let them get away with making a movie? The horror!
Those who boycott the Fair will not be missed.
No one noticed that you weren’t there last year and they won’t miss you this year.
Have you guys looked up what it actually is though? It’s a 10 minute 3D educational movie about the human brain. Are you seriously that upset over this? If this causes you to not go to the fair then big deal. It’s nothing to get so riled up you whine and cry about how the fair isn’t the same and the charm is being taken away etc. Looking at giant pigs and horses year after year gets old. Especially since you can visit the farm on the fairgrounds without the fair even being there. Fairs are meant to be fun, they’re just bringing new ideas in because it will be entertaining for families and increase ticket sales. Stop crying about everything.
well enjoy your raised ticket prices. They are going to recoup that 2.2 million somehow and it isnt on their dime.
Well at least I’ll be at the fair having fun instead of wallowing at home grinding me teeth just thinking about Al’s Brain and the downfall of Orange County as we know it.
well have fun that is your right. I guess I will be sitting at home wallowing cause you said so.
Nathan, I’ll wallow with ya…..and we will each have a couple hundred buks more in our pockets…..and magan will be sunburned poor and frustrated with her decision. Do you think she’ll be thinking of us?
“Well this is what Disneyland does”……
If you think going to the OC SUPER FAIR is expensive now…just wait!
Disneyland as a model for a county Fair ? YIKES!
And complaining that they can’t afford to build a parking facility but they have $3 million to spend our WEIRD AL….?
We All know what to expect at a county fair….right?
Keep it simple….
FAIRS should simply consist of….
- Farm animals (including horses)
- Fair foods
- Simple entertainment / music / demolition derby / etc…
- Local exhibits
- Baked goods / contest
- Carnival rides
The Fair should be a place where we can escape that educates and reminds us of our community, our heritage and our cultural background.
All of this is still going to be at the fair.
yeah …..if you wanna spend $200. That’s not simple…….not at all.
I don’t think $10 is expensive to enjoy the fair for more than 8 hours of entertainment. Yeah, I totally think the misuse and perks of the board is absolutely ridiculous. But $10 is cheap entertainment for an entire day of fun. I won’t boycott the fair even if I disagree with the way they spend their money. I suppose I’m not as passionate and angry as some others here to do such an extreme. For those boycotting, will you also be angry enough to picket outside the fair too? Or are you calling it a ‘boycott’ but really never had plans to go anyhow regardless?
For me…it will be a personal loss. I have gone every year (all but 2 actually) since 1974. The last 2 year that I have been there. I try to keep the cost down and I do…..but at the expence of having fun. As of last year….I will NOT GO ….not until my Grandson is old enough to enjoy the animals….but, as Megan said, that is free year round.
Its a County Fair, I love for my family to see what a county fair is - animals, baking, flower/plants and what old Orange County was. And come on, Weird Al - when did he become something that is synonymous with the OC Fair?
Since everytime he shows up they have standing room only/sold out shows.
Come on, I don’t see all that many kids in OC wearing FFA and 4H jackets walking around talking about their prize pig of calf like you would in Lancaster, Ohio. What’s to be upset about?
It sickens me to see all the false information that flies around here. People are free to have their own opinion, but when you express it in a way that is false, slanderous, and otherwise causes others to believe things completely a lie, it needs to stop
The fairgrounds take no tax money, and therefore is doing all it can to keep its BUSINESS alive just like every other business in OC. It provides valuable programming to residents because it wants to, not because it needs to. The Equestrian Center which so many “outraged” residents have spoken about is a completely private business, not open to the public and providing no public service. The only people affected by its removal would be the few that have horses boarded there.
Boycotting won’t do a thing, because there’s 100 other people who will start attending the fair for the 1 that doesn’t. Whether the Weird Al thing works or flops, it’s the fair’s decision, not tax payers. And since no one but the FAIR put any money into it (all of their own), no one should be outraged.
The fair employs hundreds of local workers who owe their livelihood to the facility and who are thankful for their jobs. These employees are already forced by the state to furlough in order to save money that they don’t even accept from the state – yet they are dedicated enough to do it. The property is used by thousands of people a week for community events and expos and the farm is open to the public everyday in addition to hosting school field trips every week.
This mentality that the fair, its leaders and its staff are somehow evil or corrupt is a delusion by people who are seeking someone to blame for their own economic downfalls. Previous fair leaderships have had some rocky periods, but the fair and its current board have been nothing but compliant and accountable for its current assets. People need to stop looking to local businesses (again a PRIVATE business, with nothing to do with taxpayer money) and start looking at how they can improve their local economy. Seems to me like the people who are whining about the decisions of this private organization are doing more to hurt the local economy than to stimulate it – so, on behalf of a state and a county in fiscal crisis – please stop.
Anon, the fair is NOT like private businesses.
It is an arm of the state government.
It sits on public land worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Its *is* an enterprise operation - which means it must generate its own funds to survive - but, like all arms of government, it is still supposed to be working on behalf of the people.
Some of the people don’t like how things are going, apparently. It’s their right to stick their noses as deeply into the fair’s business as they want to; it belongs to them.
Folks at the fair understand this well; that’s why they’re patient in answering questions from people like me.
Teri,
It’s not an arm of the state government. It’s one of the many branches of the 32nd DAA, which is an arm of the state - and its as private of a business as you can get while still being considered somewhat of a state service. The land it sits on has nothing to do with the finances is brings in - yet your goons at the register love to bring that up like it has anything to do with the argument. It still provides tons of services for residents, yet takes no money for these services from the state or taxpayer. The services it provides it does so ON ITS OWN DIME, ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE.
People are free to question what the Fair does, but to be outraged at it, as if it was somehow betraying their trust or abusing their money is ridiculous. The only thing people have on the fair is that it uses the revenue that they voluntarily give it. Apparently, almost 2 million people a year have no problem doing this. The fair is going to change due to the economy, the times it lives in, and its demand - as every BUSINESS does. Adaption is part of survival. Just as you writer juicier articles when your readers stop paying attention.
Its disgusting that so many of you staff writers try to stir up this drama as if people in OC should band together against their own. No one is going to complain if you report truth, as you PARTIALLY (fact check much?) did with the board/lobster/tickets ordeal, but the minute you CREATE drama and stir up fake emotions, you are doing a disservice to the community that YOU supposedly service. Your job as a writer is to report things accurately, not manufacture false outrage for the sake of ratings or a pat on the back.
If people want to question the fair, question away - that’s their right. But don’t throw kerosene on the fire with false allegations (as so many of the first articles were) and contrived outrage. The people of Orange County don’t appreciate it.
PS - If you want to write an article about the fairgrounds, one based on real facts and not accusations, why do you write an article on how the 150+ employees there are being forced by the State to take 2 days of furlough (almost a 10% pay cut) even though their salaries are paid by the Fair which takes no money from the State. These employees are put in this tight position and the State isn’t seeing another dime from them. Pointless? It proves how the flailing budget committees for California are handling this whole crisis - by spinning their wheels and HURTING California. An article like that would ban the people of Orange County together rather than cause them to argue. I can’t speak for you, but I would much rather be part of something like that.
if you really think that the fair who put all their money into this project are not going to get that money out of people like you through ticket sales, food sales and everything else.
Just wait and see, watch and see if the prices for everything at the fair goes through the roof to make up for this.
It is funny that you would actually think that the fair committee would just eat this attraction, no they are going to make up the money believe you me.
I am in exhibitor in the county building, or at least I used to be. This year, they are kicking us all out into a breezeway so they can sell more commercial space in the building. This fair board has no interest in putting on a county fair anymore, it simply wants to empty your wallets. County building exhibitors usually have all sorts of “free” stuff. Free games, free information, free giveaways, free demonstrations. Free is a dirty word to this board, so goodbye county building, hello more commercial sellers. I don’t even know if all the county exhibitors are going to be in the same breezeway?? Good luck trying to find us.
Darned capitalits at it again, making money. Maybe the fair should be a little more socialist.
I am 40 years old and have lived in OC since I was 4. I lived in LA before that.
The OC fair is an overpriced joke anyway, and by the time you’ve paid for parking, admission, food, and attractions, you may have well spent the day at Disneyland.
If you are going to pay Disneyland prices, you might as well get Disneyland caliber attractions in return.
Admission is $10 for goodness sake. What is overpriced about that? Travel there in one car and pay one parking fee, not like you’re going to a football game in San Diego and pay $30 to park. The food…you don’t need to eat so darn much, or even at all if you want you can bring your own food. The only attractions I think are for cost are the rides which I believe are independently owned. I wouldn’t go on any of the rides anyhow but enjoy walking through the free community stuff.
Those who would rather spend their money at Disneyland, go for it. And you’re nuts if you think this is just as expensive as Disneyland. Please stay home and whine there. Or if you’re truly ‘boycotting’ the fair, go stand on the street corner with a picket sign…otherwise, I’m gonna think you are lazy.
Tsquare, I hear what you are saying. I wished exhibitors like you were there more than the commerical folks pushing their product. I go to the fair to see people like you. Whomever Anon is, should really think about the publics opinion of how the board is getting all sorts of free perks and how much that angers the rest of us. None of them should be getting that many free perks, the director or whatever their title is that was up for a 5% raise shouldn’t even be considering it in these financial times….it’s all that junk that is the reason why many of us are angry.
A buddy and I are driving from Phoenix to the fair because of this exhibit. That’s a few extra bucks right there.
Weird Al??? Why, oh why?
Wow, $2.5 Mil to see what’s in Weird Al’s mind? What’s in Steve Beazley’s mind? Or, what’s in the fair boards mind? Maybe they decided to get even with the taxpayers since they lost their ticket/concert perk. Mr. Beazley, while saying that Disney opens a new ride every year, may want to remember that the fair opens a new fair every year with a new theme.
This is a sad time when we have to remind the fair board what it is they are supposed to be providing for the people of Orange County.
Weird isn’t it?
I’m from the Midwest, and used to go to county fairs there with my family. I’ve lived in LA for 4 years now, and have never been to the OC Fair, or any county fair. I just wasn’t interested. This will be my first year attending. I love Weird Al.
I’ll be coming up from San Diego to check this one out. I went last year as well just to see the Weird Al Show and wouldn’t have gone otherwise. (The S.D. fair is much bigger and much better in all other aspects.)
In my town we also have a fair each year. It`s nice but boring. I have heard from many people they would love to keep it alive. And I bet it is the same way for you people in OC. But truth be told the government has the biggest say in all this. The economy is horrible right now and if we don`t do something it won`t get better. Everything today is expensive even water. You should want to have something like Al`s brain be there. To maybe boost the economy even a little. If you don`t want to see Al`s brain attraction then don`t watch it go and look at the plants and animals. It might only be there for one year anyways if all goes well and you won`t have to see it ever again.
During the Family Pet Expo at the Fairgrounds, I submitted a suggestion to Fair Adm. to consider possibly donating a portion of the $5.00 of the parking fees to build a new County Animal Shelter. The present one is 67 years old. Haven’t received an answer yet. Since the Orange County Supervisors have been “working on it” for over 10 years, I thought Big Business could do it faster.
It’s a fair! Relax people. Keep things in perspective. You can go to hundreds of County Fairs all over and for the most part, get the exact same experience. Being a tad different is good.
And shame on those people who were saying they don’t want tourists coming to see this. Hmm, I wonder why people think Orange County is full of snobs?
Tourism is good. It brings in money, and now those people will see the other aspects of Orange County as well.
What I don’t understand about the outrage against Al’sBrain is that NOTHING has been taken away from the OC Fair — they still have pig races, cooking competitions, produce competitions, petting zoos, rides, games, food and free entertainment. This is an ADDED attraction that will appeal to many and it is educational. It is free with $10 admission (and the Fair is offering many savings options on admision this year, see the article in this ‘fair’ newspaper.) How can you all knock this movie without seeing it? While Weird Al may not be your cup of tea, he appeals to many. The Fair paid for this traveling exhibit out of designated funds and it is a revenue stream for the Fair to ensure they do not need any financial assistance from the State. Why would someone boycott the Fair because they want to add new and innovative programming? Are Oc residents so closed-minded that they cannot accept something new and tell visitors from other countries to stay away. For shame.
We Are All One — Are you saying the Fair is big business??? They are state owned and cannot be donating funds to non-profit organizations. Barking–>wrong tree.
OK OC’ers. You have spoken. Would you rather have the SAME OLD FAIR every year, or have one new added aspect to keep it new and fresh? Speak up.
What I find hilarious is that everyone is blowing this out of proportion and hardly anyone has their facts straight. Most of this looks like a game of “Say something negative and everyone else will join in”. It’s silly and ridiculous and really has nothing to do with Weird Al (who is a very popular guy if you haven’t had your head in the sand) and the 10-minute film. I am fairly certain this could be just about anything else and people would probably be saying the same thing.
The reason problem is that the economy is suffering, and California has one of the highest costs of living in the US, and people are seeing this as more money-grubbing. Well guess what, business is all about making money. If a business wants to stay a business it needs to generate a revenue, and that means attracting more than just the people who live in the town, because many of us actually living in San Diego and Orange County certainly don’t have a lot of money, but people in other states where the cost of living isn’t so high (and outside the US entirely like Louise) most definitely DO have money if they’re coming over here.
At least more than I certainly do. I’d love to go to this if I had the money. I love Weird Al, and would love to attend something of his at least once. I’d almost say I’m envious of people in OC for having it closer to them. And as for the argument about animals and stuff… You can see the animals for free, what people are coming to pay for are the attractions, like this one.
Bless You for that, actually I DON’T have a lot of money but what I do have is going to be spent in Orange County.
I have had to save and save and scrape to get the money together to do this.
and it’s not a *sensible* thing to do, coming thousands of miles to watch a 10 minute film.
But its WEIRD AL!
I could sit at home and bitch about my horrible life, but I’d much rather fill my life up with fun and memorable experiences whenever I can, so that I have nice things to look back on when I’m old. Life is precious, and short, and sometimes you just have to Dare To Be Stupid!
I think that applies to everyone.
Louise,
It is an honor to have you visit our city! I am sure it will be worth every cent you saved. Enjoy your vacation and an early “Welcome to California”!!
When you arrive at the fair try the blooming onion, it sooo rocks!
you can get that anywhere, Outback Steakhouse for example. you don’ t have to pay $10 admission (and another approx. $8 to park) just for the privledge.
deep fried twinkies?? who cares???
fair food is vastly overrated (and overpriced). except for the churros, which are the best around, but you can get year round at the OC Marketplace on the fairgrounds.
This all is a tragedy to me. The loss of the agricultural heritage and reality in Orange County is a true evil. Without farms there isn’t food. Look around you. If you don’t see a farm, then you should be concerned. Orange County would be a better place if the town life and the rural life were integrated. Our society has opted to push off agriculture to far-off place: no smells, no sights, no nothing. That’s a big problem for Orange County. We are just as obsessed as other places with money, entertainment, and yuppie life. The County has abandoned its heritage, and now becoming a lifeless cookie cutter master-planned community. The agricultural aspect should be placed back into the forefront. If anything, to teach people where their food comes from, that agriculture is VITAL to the life of any society, and that is essential to have a vibrant, widespread, and wholesome agriculture for the well-being of our society. We can lose entertainment and diversion, but we can’t lose food. Long live the farm and all how labor so others may be fed! Visit the few CSAs in our County and tall them thanks for what they do. God bless!
Jim, you are jumping to a huge conclusion here. The Orange County Fair is STILL all about Ag — they have not eliminated one iota of their ag-based programming and they have a year-round farm that is FREE for visitors and school trips. This movie is just an added value to fair-goers…is that really so bad?
I live in the chicago area, I have come to YOUR fair in 2002, and 2004, to spend my money at YOUR fair, in YOUR town, at YOUR hotels, in your stores, flying into YOUR airports, renting a car in YOUR town, all just to see Weird Al play at YOUR fair, and yes I will be comming to spend my money again this year, at YOUR fair, in YOUR town, at YOUR hotels, so that I can learn about the brain, it doesnt matter if it is Al’s or not, your all just complaining that its Al, would you all be complaining if it was some one else, Al”s concerts gets alot of patrons to YOUR fair, and oh, FREE with admission, maybe fairs all around should just get rid of the concert series and go to be boring and then no one will go to a fair at all, or better yet stay at home on your own farm and look at your own animals
The Fair belongs to the people. It is not a private business. The Fair has never paid for itself. The Fair board is kidding themselves if they think they are paying for themselves. If they did not receive the “in-kind” donation of rent free land 365 days a year they would be out of business. Their business model is based on not having to pay rent. They are subsidized every inch of the way and are now wasting money on Weird Al. Get real!
Actually, while the state owns the property, the annual operating budget is generated through ticket sales and property rentals. The Fair gets no tax dollars so they have to aggressively pursue their customers. Offering bigger and better attractions seems to be a pretty basic and unremarkable business strategy.
There are too many responses that sound like the fair board or Beasley speaking. Sounds like “canned answers”. The general public wouldn’t know this information. Makes you wonder if Beasley is spending his time promoting Big Al on the blogs. Someone should check his computers. He has a lot to lose if he doesn’t pull off the “Big Al” thing. If the fair is so dull and needs new life why does attendance go up every year?
The OC fair can never compete with Disneyland. Don’t try. It should keep doing what it has been doing for nearly 120 years …. seems to be working.
Or…some people do their research rather than commenting without education on articles.
Beazley does have a large task to pull off with this Weird Al thing (it could be a huge flop and waste of money), but risks are part of business, and I think we should credit them for trying. I’d rather hear that they’re spending money on a new exhibit rather than on lobster and tickets.
Anon -
I’ll return the thanks. “Manufacturing false outrage” hits the nail right on its head. Unfortunately for the Register, it is a coffin nail.
Postings that stir up controversy may generate page views, which is probably how the bloggers — not reporters — are evaluated. Too bad that is nothing but tabloid journalism.
Disneyland is first class
The Fair is farm animals, cool things, unusual shopping and food.
But
$5 parking -$10 to get in- $5 per ride -10 rides only = $65 a lot like Disneyland prices only without the class and the ablilty to go on 50 rides if you like. Then add in the outrageous crooked games of chance that milk you for all your worth to win a cheap animal with popcorn stuffed in it!!!
Listen good people:
This is the richest fair in the State of California. In this year of our recession and record unemployment they need more money to fund their whims- but this is owned by “us” the people of California and we own the land and should be able to hire and fire the execs in charge.
Fire the execs in charge lower the admission and lower the food prices. Hire management that will be fair to everyone and be Fair to the people of Californian that they are sworn to serve!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Contact the Governor that appointed the Fair board
Replace the Fair board and the management they hired
Manufacturing false outrage?
The Register hits the nail on the head and should hit the Fair board and the CEO on the head.
Replacement of the management and the Fair board serves the people of California
We the people own the Fairgrounds, call the governor and tell him to fire the fair staff and hire new ones. Hire People that care.
Replace the crooked Fair board members also.
and why cant we have both?? i bet mr. weird al would be the first one to want to keep both!
come on gop! this is all a ploy to let the cities be all “public servicey” and pay off on deals that they have already lost with our tax money here in our state– if it has anything to do with “public” anything– they can continue the shell game–
THE REPUBLICAN’s need to stop making these REDICULOUS deals and trying to sell it back to us as cotton freakin candy!
they screwed up– all of orange county and california with OUR MONEY—
why are we the people the only ones tightening our belts and giving up the animals that we want to have stay right where they are??!!
i think people can learn from animals and farms too!
then maybe we wont have to think we must pay 4x more for everything to be “organic”
it costs more to rip stuff out and rebuild it— stop making us feel like your doing us a favor– and elected and appointed officials knowing “what’s best for us” there are LAWS AGAINST IT!
STOP IT NOW– or move back to texas or where ever else you came from to “convince the people”
we’re sick of it!
$2 million for a 10-minute movie? A trifle. That works out to a mere $12 million an hour. Small price for bringing the insides of Weird Al’s brain to the public.
And if the money really comes from their revenue, who cares??? There are only so many blueberry-pie contests, “O.C’s Biggest pumpkin” shows, and carnival games that would make a casino-owner blush, that O.C’s urban techies are going to support.
Let’s face it, the 1880s have been over for a long time.
I also notice that someone couldn’t resist blaming the Republicans for everything. It’s amazing how much power they have, for such little presence in Sacramento.