Classic Car Parade, Modern Wild Rides Mark Fair Opening

The Orange County Fair opened Friday with a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the automobile.

A parade of classic cars--including a 1955 Ford Thunderbird, a 1964 Corvette convertible and a 1949 Ford Mercury--rolled past an enthusiastic crowd as the All-American Boys’ Chorus sang wheel-oriented hits such as the theme from the TV show “Route 66.”

“That’s what I really wanted to see, the cars and music together,” said Ted Engard, 44, a music teacher from Costa Mesa.

Fair officials said 16,321 people had turned out by 3 p.m., compared with 11,332 at the same time on opening day last year.

Fair spokeswoman Lynn Howes said she could not explain the increase other than “we had standing room only for the Bug Chef, and the Bug Barn was full of kids, so that may be it. It’s too early to tell.”

A road of a different sort, theInformation Superhighway was also a big draw. Computer terminals with Internet connections were a popular attraction in the youth building, as was a paper-cutting demonstration by the Chinese Assn. of Orange County.

Other arts and crafts range from blown glass items to jugs made from gourds.

For the adventurous, the carnival is offering eight new rides this year. The Evolution spins strapped-in participants on a giant wheel as it lifts them 80 feet above the ground.

“Oh, my God, I thought I was going to fall,” said Mary Clarke, 11, of Yorba Linda. “I’d recommend it to anyone.”

Her companion was equally enthusiastic.

“When you were upside down with your head facing the ground and your feet hanging, it felt like you were going to fall smack on the ground,” said Lindsay Heying, 14, of Yorba Linda.

The fair runs through July 28. Hours are 10 a.m. to midnight today and Sunday. Admission is $6 for ages 13 to 54, $5 for ages 55 and older, and $2 for children 6 to 12.