Orange County Fair

This year's O.C. Fair kicks off 23 days' worth of family entertainment with the theme "Let's Eat!" Entertainment includes rides, exhibits, animals, music and action sports, as well as the popular Pacific Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series, the Action Sports Arena, a heat-combating Ice Museum and, of course, plenty of festive food. The O.C. Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. 10 a.m. to midnight Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, noon to midnight Saturdays and Sundays. (714)

It's a relief to animal welfare advocates -- and elephants, no doubt -- that the board of the Orange County Fair voted last week to end the 25-year tradition of elephant rides at the annual event.  The Santa Ana Zoo announced in December that it too would halt elephant rides, which have nearly vanished as entertainment at institutions accredited by the Assn. of Zoos and Aquariums.  The Los Angeles County Fair was urged last year by animal welfare advocates -- and this paper's editorial page -- to stop elephant rides, although fair officials continued the attraction anyway.

It's a relief to animal welfare advocates -- and elephants, no doubt -- that the board of the Orange County Fair voted last week to end the 25-year tradition of elephant rides at the annual event.  The Santa Ana Zoo announced in December that it too would halt elephant rides, which have nearly vanished as entertainment at institutions accredited by the Assn. of Zoos and Aquariums.  The Los Angeles County Fair was urged last year by animal welfare advocates -- and this paper's editorial page -- to stop elephant rides, although fair officials continued the attraction anyway.

I ate deep-fried butter at the Orange County Fair. And I'm not apologizing for it. Let's face it — going to a county fair is like getting a free pass to Junk Food Land. All bets are off. No one gives you the admonishing finger if you follow a platter of funnel cake with a deep-fried Oreo chaser. In fact, as I carried around the deep-fried butter, I was bestowed admiring glances from other fair-goers. You have to love a place that offers something called a "Coronary Combo" of deep-fried butter and chocolate-covered bacon.

I ate deep-fried butter at the Orange County Fair. And I'm not apologizing for it. Let's face it -- going to a county fair is like getting a free pass to junk food land. All bets are off, and no one gives you the admonishing finger if you follow a platter-size funnel cake with a deep-fried Oreo chaser. In fact, while carrying around the deep-fried butter I was bestowed admiring glances from other fair-goers. You have to love a place that offers something called a "Coronary Combo" of deep-fried butter and chocolate covered bacon.

This year's O.C. Fair kicks off 23 days' worth of family entertainment with the theme "Let's Eat!" Entertainment includes rides, exhibits, animals, music and action sports, as well as the popular Pacific Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series, the Action Sports Arena, a heat-combating Ice Museum and, of course, plenty of festive food. The O.C. Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. 10 a.m. to midnight Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, noon to midnight Saturdays and Sundays. (714)

FAMILY Children of Many Colors Native American Powwow Native American intertribal singing, dancing, drumming, celebrating, ceremonies, arts, crafts, food and more. Teepees and other traditional dwellings will be on display. Moorpark College athletic field, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. today; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. $2 suggested donation per vehicle. http://www.redbirdsvision.org . San Clemente Ocean Festival "The Greatest Show on Surf" kicks off its 34th year with sand-and-sea-related activities for the entire family at the San Clemente Ocean Festival.

POP MUSIC John Doe and Exene Talk about sweethearts of the rodeo. You've got the punk patron saints of our gritty metropolis, plus the sweet, ethereal harmonies of the Living Sisters, a trio of Angeleno performers who've come to reclaim the secret melodies of Laurel Canyon. Wear your best fringed accoutrement, cowboys and -girls. Museum of the American West at Griffith Park, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. 7-11 p.m. $22-$30. (323) 667-2000 MGMT After delivering a left-field hit with 2008's "Oracular Spectacular," MGMT earned its license to dive off the deep end. And lo, did it take its label up on it with "Congratulations," a sprawling mix of Devo-inspired kitsch-punk, chocolate-fountain yacht rock and intricately screwy psychedelics that could indicate a Pop Art band running on all cylinders — or a fascinating, career-tipping indulgence.

When singer Pat Benatar rolls through Southern California this summer, she won't be belting out her rock classic "Love Is a Battlefield" at the Orange County Fair. Although the fair hoped to book Benatar to perform for the fourth time in the last five years, the operators of Los Angeles' Greek Theatre snagged the '80s rock queen instead. For Southern California's county fairs, the music scene has also become a battlefield.

Compiled by Jason Gelt Santa Monica Airport Outdoor Antique & Collectibles Market Furniture, rugs, paintings, clothing and more on the first and fourth Sundays of each month. Santa Monica Airport, 3223 Donald Douglas Loop S., Santa Monica. Today, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.; next Sun., 8 a.m.-3 p.m. $3-$7. (323) 922-2511. Advocates for Conserved Elders Volunteers train to visit older people who are under conservatorship in long-term care facilities throughout Los Angeles County.

The third annual Mus- Ink Tattoo and Music Festival will feature tattoo contests in many styles, including black and gray, color, traditional, BMX and skate contests and demonstrations, music by the Cult, NOFX, Face to Face and dozens of other bands, as well as live painting and tattoo art shows. Orange County Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. 2 p.m.-11 p.m. Fri., 12 p.m.-11 p.m. Sat., noon-10 p.m. Sun. $30-$75. (714) 708-1500. musink.org

The Orange County Fairgrounds was placed on the auction block Thursday in an attempt to cut into the state deficit. The state Department of General Services issued a request for proposals for the 150-acre property in Costa Mesa, giving bidders until Jan. 8 to make offers. Earlier this year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed liquidating state properties -- including the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, San Quentin State Prison and three state-owned fairgrounds -- to raise cash to help balance the state budget.