To the Midway and Beyond

The Ferris wheel is peeking over the Costa Mesa skyline again, and there’s the unmistakable scent of corn dogs, cotton candy and barnyard animals coming from the general direction of Fairview Road. Yep, the Orange County Fair is back, today through July 30.

And because the ultimate fair experience is about budgeting time, ride tickets and tummy space (not to mention cash), here’s our “don’t miss this” list to help you navigate the food courts, midways and exhibit halls that make up the county fair environs.

* Best food--period: Fair fare doesn’t get much better than funnel cake--that sugary, fried, topped-off king of fair foods. Try not to think about the 620 calories and 38 grams of fat in each serving.

* Best food on a stick: There’s always the three Cs--corn dogs, cotton candy and corn on the cob, says fair spokesperson Ruby Lau. But there’s a newish C in town: cheesecake . . . and yes, they’ve stuck it on a stick.

* Most popular food: The big seller, according to Lau, is barbecued meat (chicken or beef), hands down. Crowds are also reportedly wild for cinnamon rolls, fresh lemonade and ice cream.

* Most popular ride: Lau anticipates there will be long lines for the Hydro Slide, a trip through water on hollowed logs. And always, of course, there’s the Grand Ferris Wheel, the site of many marriage proposals.

* Craziest contest: Pulp will fly at the tomato-squeezing contest, when people vie to squeeze the most juice out of a piece of fruit using hands only. It happens at 5 p.m. Sunday.

* Best exhibits: There’s everything from books and vinyl singles to Pez dispensers at the Youth Collections, on Centennial Way near Crafters Village. The Home & Hobbies Exhibit--featuring pies, dolls and even paintings--is also a big draw, at Country Lane and Main Mall.

* Punniest Exhibit Name: Give it up for Sheepy Hollow, a wool-spinning and felting demonstration next to the Landscapes exhibits on Livestock Lane.

* Best Alternative Space: Don’t miss the Street Scene, where things wild and wacky, from drag racing to 30-foot trampolines, can be found. Located near the main entrance (Blue Gate), Street Scene is home to Speed Track Drag Racing, which offers a turbo boost down a 205-foot track in seconds. There’s also all sorts of weird gadgets at the Great Invention Show.

* Best Day to Go: Lau says the most-packed days are on the last weekend, July 28-30. And unless you’re heading to the concert, skip July 24, the day crowds will swarm for the wildly popular “Weird Al” Yankovic. Opening day--that would be today--is pretty jammed too.

* Best Day to Take the Family: Visit Tuesday, when those who arrive between 2 and 3 p.m. will score free parking and free admission. Or July 25, when you can donate three Ralphs/Food 4 Less Private Select canned or bagged food items from noon to 5 p.m. and sidestep admission. Proceeds go to the Orange County Rescue Mission.

* Best Place to Park: Ditching the car is half the battle. On weekends, save the stress for the lines inside the fairgrounds and head for the southwestern corner of Fairview Road and South Coast Drive. The Automobile Club of Southern California is offering free shuttles between its lot there and the Main Gate; hours are 10 a.m. to midnight, Saturdays and Sundays.

Weekdays, the best bet is to carpool. If there are four or more people in the car, it will cost only $3 to park. Otherwise, parking is $5.

* Where’s the ATM?: Of primary importance, we know. Look for money machines at the Blue Gate, Red Gate, Parade of Products, Grandstand Arena and the Kiddie Carnival. There are 12 total.

* Don’t forget: The fair runs today through July 30 at the fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Hours are noon to midnight Monday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Sunday. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $2 for children. Those younger than 5 are free. Information: (714) 708-3247.