Picture perfect

The cameras will be front and center at this year’s Orange County Fair, themed “Say Cheese!” But they won’t be just your typical disposable cameras or digital SLRs.

Organizers decided to bring a more watchful element to this year’s event, which opens today and runs through Aug. 3.

“Flash and Focus,” an exhibit in Building 17 at the north end of the Main Mall, features a camera obscura and children’s art exhibitions.

In addition to the fair’s customary deep-fried delicacies, pregnant sows and madcap carnival midway, a slew of events geared at teens and young adults will be in its Action Sports Arena, from new skateboarding championships to Lucha Libre to watercross.

New this year is the Maloof Money Cup in the Action Sports Arena, featuring the world’s richest payouts in professional skateboarding.

From today to Sunday the event will include the U.S. Pro Street Championship, Carl’s Jr. U.S. Pro Vert Championship, and the U.S. Women’s Pro Street Championship. World Industries will also hold the U.S. Amateur Championship.

Local amateur and professional performers will perform on the Main Mall Stage, including tribute bands that embody the Eagles, Van Halen, Jimmy Buffett and Bruce Springsteen.

The Angels FanFest is July 22, and many of the team’s players will attend the fair.

The Pacific Amphitheatre will hold musical festivities throughout the fair. Featuring B.B. King on opening night, the Amphitheatre will also be home to acts such as Chris Isaak, Vanessa Carlton, Dropkick Murphys and Paramore, among many others.

Jack Salisbury and Candice Baker

FANTASTIC FEATURES

Flash and Focus

The fair’s camera obscura — a periscope of sorts projecting high-resolution video — allows fairgoers to observe others with complete anonymity, adding both an educational and voyeuristic exhibit to the lineup.

The King of Blues

B.B. King will kick off the fair’s music festivities with his performance at 7 tonight at the Pacific Amphitheatre. Fergie, Tom Jones and Emmylou Harris are just a few of the other headliners who will perform before the fair ends Aug. 3.

White Castle

East Coast natives and fans of the “Harold & Kumar” movies will have the chance to sample White Castle sliders at this year’s fair. A host of the typical deep-fried offerings and giant turkey legs will also be on hand for fairgoers.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Schedule

The fair runs through Aug. 3. It is open noon to midnight Tuesdays through Fridays, and 10 a.m. to midnight Saturdays and Sundays. It will be closed Mondays. The Orange County fair is at 88 Fair Drive off of the 405 and 55 freeways in Costa Mesa.

  Admission

General admission is $9; tickets are $7 for seniors, $5 for children 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and younger.

Parking

General parking is available for $5. Preferred parking and buses cost $10. Free parking is available at OCC and Costa Mesa High School. Free off-site parking will be available Saturdays and Sundays at the Experian Parking Structure on Anton Boulevard.; free shuttles at the site will run from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Special Deals

Today: Admission and parking will be free from noon to 1 p.m. to signify the fair’s kickoff. Free admission will be offered to all active duty military, law enforcement and firefighters plus one guest.

July 15, 22 and 29: Children 12 and younger get in free all day.

July 17, 24, 31: Seniors can buy tickets for $4 and will receive free Ferris wheel and merry-go-round rides.

July 23: Free admission will be offered with the donation of five canned or dry food items from noon to 6 p.m.

July 30: Free admission plus one carnival ride will be offered with the donation of one new or three used children’s books from noon to 6 p.m.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays: Fairgoers receive unlimited rides with the purchase of a $20 wristband.

Thursdays and Fridays: $1 rides until 7 p.m.