Fair’s Opening Fares Well : More Than 24,000 Visitors Have a Heyday at Western-Themed Event

The Footsie Wootsie is Rick and Kathy Byers’ best friend this time of year.

The Newport Beach couple visits the coin-operated foot massage machines every hour to allay sore feet during 12-hour days at the Orange County Fair, which they have not missed for 15 years. In fact, they had their first date here.

So on Friday, the Byers observed their tradition by joining more than 24,000 people at the opening day of the 102nd fair.

In keeping with this year’s Western theme, “Saddle Up for Fun,” cloggers and a horseback rider dressed as Darth Vader entertained outside the gates as the crowds arrived. The Byers arrived before the gates opened at 10 a.m. The real estate agents have skipped work every year around this time to devote entire afternoons and evenings to tasting various wines, playing games and often spending up to $200 a day on food, tickets and mementos.

But the most essential part of their visit has remained the same price for 11 years; 25 cents still buys a one-minute foot massage at Footsie Wootsies strategically placed throughout the fairgrounds.

“People at work think we’re crazy,” said Kathy Byers, who worked as a cotton candy vendor here 15 years ago while in college. “But we look forward to the fair every year.”

The couple began their trek through a mock Western street that included booths for gold panning, a blacksmith and a saddlery.

Lines for most rides were sparse late Friday morning, but a small crowd gathered near the Ejection Seat, a catapult that towered above onlookers. For $40 per ride, fair-goers were hurled into the air in a two-seat vehicle, which then bounced them up and down for three minutes.

William and Juanita Arnwine, a retired couple from Fullerton, were here for tamer stuff. “The weather was cool and we were tired of hearing about the O.J. story, so we decided to come,” Juanita Arnwine said.

They usually visit the pavilions displaying cake decorations, quilts and “engineering gadgets,” she said.

William Arnwine said he was simply enjoying the horses and the hay.

“I’m a country boy raised in Oklahoma. It kinda takes me back.”

Last year, 668,096 attended the fair, which was a decrease of 17,144 from the 1992 record of 685,241. Attendance for the opening day in 1993 was 32,427.

The 17-day fair continues through July 24 and will include a cattle drive on Fairview Road Friday and a Mexican fiesta on the last day.

The Byers planned to watch the Pointer Sisters perform at the Pacific Amphitheatre Friday night. And then maybe they would go home.

As Rick Byers eased his feet onto a foot massager for the second time in 90 minutes, he considered, “Maybe we’ll use the (Footsie Wootsies) every half hour.”

* TODAY’S FAIR SCHEDULE: B2