Summer Riches Amid O.C.’s Bankruptcy : The Record-Breaking County Fair and the Angels’ Winning Ways Bring Smiles

The Orange County summer is in midseason form, bringing warm sun and hot days, followed by pleasant evenings. For a county battered by months of bankruptcy, with the memory of a sputtering spring and continuing uncertainty about the economy in the region, the arrival of the summer season is most welcome.

For 17 days this month, the Orange County Fair drew record crowds under the mostly clear skies of July. The event attracted 695,246 visitors, which was the highest number in the event’s 103-year history. Visitors were treated to a friendly and welcoming environment for families, and a number of new rides drew thrill seekers less inclined to the cautious approach. Despite the temporary problems of the heart-stopping Ejector Seat, described as a “reverse bungee catapult,” visitors who went to the fair seeking excitement proclaimed the experience better than ever. For those less interested in pushing the envelope, there were opportunities to sample such informal summer delicacies as roasted corn and fried zucchini. Others took in dance acts, the sight of barnyard animals, a rodeo and mariachis.

Even as the fair was attracting visitors to Costa Mesa, the Angels were proving out at Anaheim Stadium that this year they are indeed for real. Their nationally televised game against the Cleveland Indians last Monday night kept viewers up until after midnight early in the work week with an exciting conclusion. It pointed up the perennial attraction of a good baseball game, despite all the awful labor news of the game this year. That baseball can continue to renew itself and provide entertainment even for those who may not be hard-core fans is a reminder of its hold on the nation’s imagination.

Such pleasant diversions of summer arrive as a welcome alternative to the humdrum of daily routines. This year, especially, with the trials and tribulations of the county, a break is needed and appreciated.