Getting Their Taste of County : Visitors Sample Food, Entertainment at Annual Festival in Irvine

Karen Lincoln of Chicago did not expect what she saw at her first Taste of Orange County festival, held at the Irvine Spectrum Saturday.

“I have never seen this before, and I am having a riot,” the 29-year-old Lincoln said while sitting in the grass, sipping a drink and watching 15 dogs race against the clock on an obstacle course of hoops, tunnels and walls. “I have been smiling ever since I got here.”

The animals compete in national dog agility tournaments and were demonstrating their prowess before an enthusiastic crowd.

Lincoln and former high school classmate Tory Hassenauer of Rancho Santa Margarita also sampled some Thai food.

“There are not too many people here and you don’t have to wait in line,” Lincoln said. “The food is great and the prices are reasonable.”

The intersection of Fortune and Gateway Boulevard in Irvine was transformed into festival grounds to hold about 50,000 visitors expected during the fourth annual Taste of Orange County, which lasts three days.

The traffic signals flashed red as thousands of people wandered along rows of booths and dined curbside. Tables and chairs dotted the median strips.

Four bands performed simultaneously, in opposite corners of the site. The styles ranged from rock to reggae.

“We came for the food and stumbled upon the music,” said John Lehr of Laguna Beach, who was swaying arm-in-arm with Deirdre Symons of Balboa to some Motown music played by Derek & the Diamonds.

Country music singer Crystal Gayle opened the festivities Friday night.

The celebration showcases food from restaurants such as Birraporetti’s, El Torito Grill, Natraj Cuisine of India and Royal Thai.

Proceeds from the Taste of Orange County will be donated to The Times Fund for Underprivileged Children.

The festival closes today--Father’s Day--and will be highlighted at noon by the Charles Smith Battle of the Basketball Stars, a charity game featuring National Basketball Assn. players. Proceeds from the game will benefit the Charles D. Smith Jr. Foundation, an organization named for the Los Angeles Clippers’ basketball player.

Smith’s organization promotes academic and social opportunities for youths. A roster of 16 NBA players will be on hand, including Smith, Golden State Warriors guard Tim Hardaway and Atlanta Hawks star Dominique Wilkins.

Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children. The festival closes at 10 tonight.

A TASTE OF ORANGE COUNTY ’92

Who’s Playing When

TODAY

MILLER GENUINE DRAFT LIGHT STAGE Noon-1 p.m.: Company B (Broadway show tunes) 2-3:30 p.m.: Dick Dale & the Deltones 4:30-6 p.m.: Sapadilla (reggae) 7-8:30 p.m.: Derek & the Diamonds

MAIN STAGE 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Robert August Williams Band 6-7 p.m.: Freeway Philharmonic (jazz) 7:30-9 p.m.: Gerald Albright (jazz sax)

TIMES ORANGE COUNTY STAGE Noon-12:20 p.m.: Mike Whipple (jazz piano) 1-2 p.m.: Acoustic Renovators 2:30-3:30 p.m.: Random Allies (world beat) 4-5 p.m.: Mike Whipple

FORTUNE STREET STAGE 1-2:30 p.m.: Rick & the Recuperators (formerly the Regular Guys, R&B;) 3:30-5 p.m.: Greg Topper Band (oldies) 6-7:30 p.m.: Mike Reilly Band 8-9 p.m.: We Presents (alternative rock)