Tag Archives: Things to Do

Winter Fest is Coming to Orange County! #WinterFestOC

Posted on by

Winter Fest is Coming to Orange County!

By Erin

*I will be attending Winter Fest as Media.*

Winter Fest Entrance Image - 10.29.15

It’s getting cold outside! Well, for Southern California standards it is, and it’s about to get colder! Winter is coming to the OC with an all-new holiday wonder, Winter Fest. Unfolding over the OC Fair & Event Center December 18 – January 3, a magical and whimsical getaway will be unveiled  that features unlimited ice tubing, the world’s largest walk-through ornament, festive entertainment, ice skating, VIP rink-side cabanas, live reindeer, a nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony with snowfall, seasonal-themed eateries, libations, a carnival and much more. Winter Fest offers such an unforgettable experience at an unbelievable value with tickets starting at only $10 online while they last. Many of Winter Fest’s attractions are within buildings, making the event as “El Nino-proof” as possible.

Entertainment for Winter Fest begins each morning with a snow-capped opening moment led by resident master magician, Jimmy H.  The Chainsaw Chicks will also be here at Winter Fest, carving out fantastic ice sculptures while captivating the crowd with their unbridled charm. Local bands, strolling carolers, and performances by community organizations from around Orange County bring tons of live entertainment to Winter Fest.

The Winter Fest Promenade will be bustling with all of the sights and sounds of winter and with a variety of holiday food and beverage options. A 30-foot Christmas tree stands at the end of the Winter Fest Promenade, where guests will gather nightly at 5:30 p.m. for a heartwarming tree lighting ceremony complete with snowfall. Near the Christmas tree are two of Santa’s reindeer, available for viewing and feeding.

The  Mistletoe Lounge is a hot spot at Winter Fest, that you will surely find me at! Offering holiday-themed cocktails, international craft beers, and comfortable seating amid the holiday décor and entertainment of the Winter Fest Promenade. The Slippery Slope Ski Lodge (known as Baja Blues Restaurant during the OC Fair) is another exciting Winter Fest destination. The family-friendly eatery will capture a ski-lodge vibe with holiday-themed cuisine and drinks, mountain décor, nightly live entertainment, and staff decked out in ski gear.
Winter Fest, Snow, Tubing, Orange County

Thrill seekers can climb Snowflake Summit to take part in unlimited ice tubing down a 130-foot, six-lane ice slide, where guests 42 inches and taller can race down the slope and experience the exhilarating side of winter. Snowflake Summit also offers bleacher seating, allowing friends and family to cheer on loved ones while they zoom down the ice.

Ice Skating in Orange County

The Hangar building will be transformed into an ice-skating rink, where guests can enjoy skating around a 6,000 square foot ice rink for an additional fee of only $15 onsite. Holiday films will be projected onto a theater-sized screen in the background as skaters zip around the rink. Elegant rink-side VIP cabanas will be available for only $99 per session while they last, and accommodate 2 – 10 people but can adapt to fit parties of up to 100. The VIP cabanas offer exclusive menus with seasonally inspired food, cocktails, a private ice rink entrance and private servers.  VIP cabanas are perfect for groups, parties, or a date with a loved one. Santa has transported several sleighs from his collection to the Hangar building, which will be on display for the first time ever at Winter Fest.

VIP cabanas Orange County Winter Fest

What’s Included in the price of your ticket?

All Winter Fest admission tickets, held December 18 – January 3 include remarkable value by providing not only access to Winter Fest but also the following attractions and entertainment:

  • Unlimited ice tubing down Snowflake Summit
  • One complimentary carnival ride
  • One complimentary carnival game
  • Entry to bounce houses for kids
  • Reindeer viewing and feeding
  • Access to the world’s largest walk-through ornament
  • Nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony with snowfall
  • Craft making and games for kids
  • Daily & nightly entertainment

Ticket prices Monday through Friday start at only $10 online, $15 onsite for children age 4 – 11, and $20 online, $25 onsite for adults. Ticket Prices Saturday and Sunday are $15 online, $20 onsite for children age 4 – 11, and $25 online, $30 onsite for adults.  Children 3 and under are free.  Purchasing tickets online is highly encouraged to not only save money but also ensure the desired event date is not sold out.

Adult season passes for unlimited admission into to all 17 days and nights of Winter Fest are available for $45 advance and online (limited supply); children’s season passes (ages 4-11) are available for $25 advance and online (limited supply).

For more information on Winter Fest (#WinterFestOC) visit www.WinterFestOC.com

Come join in the winter fun at the OC Winter Fest!

Top 10 Food Picks You Won’t Want to Miss at L.A. County Fair #LACFNaturalHigh @LACountyFair

Posted on by

Top 10 Food Picks You Won’t Want to Miss at the L.A. County Fair

By Erin

*I was invited to attend the L.A. County Fair’s Media Food Preview to facilitate this post. This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.* 

It’s every foodies favorite time of year again! It’s fair time, and you know what that means! All the tasty and delicious fair food is back, and it won’t disappoint! I grew up coming to the L.A. County Fair and I always love and adore coming back to enjoy all of the sights, sounds, and smells that the fair brings along with it. This year the Los Angeles County Fair is back here in Pomona and is here through September 27th. A few days ago, I went to check out some of the best food items that the fair has to offer at the fair food preview for media. Here’s a list of my top 10 picks!

LACF-LOGO

10) Deep-Fried Peanut-Butter Pickle at Chicken Charlie’s

LA County Fair - Fried Peanut Butter Pickle from Chicken Charlie

This one is a bit unusual, and probably something you’d never think of to combine together, (I know I wouldn’t have!) but Charlie does it again! By mixing a savory pickle with the creamy natural sweetness of peanut butter and chocolate sauce, Charlie comes up with another brilliant idea that works. It’s a BIG pickle, so it’s perfect for sharing; especially if you plan on sampling a lot of the fair food. 😉

9) Blooming Onion at the Fresh Frys Stand

LACF-Onion

You can’t go wrong with this old fair favorite! A crispy, battered and deep-fried onion with a cool ranch dip that is also great to share.

8) BBQ Beef Sundae at Chuckwagon

LACF-BBQ-Beef-Sundae

The BBQ Beef Sundae from Chuckwagon starts with mashed potatoes instead of ice cream, then layered with a generous portion of barbecued brisket slices, and is topped with a cherry — a cherry tomato, that is. This is probably one of the healthier food options this year, as at least it is not deep fried!

7) Chicken & Waffles in a Cone at Cornucopia Foods

LACF-Chicken-Waffles-Cone

A new twist on Chicken and Waffles! It’s served in a Waffle Cone, making it easy to carry around the fair. This tasty number is loaded up with chicken nuggets and mini waffles that are doused in maple syrup and is then topped with bacon bits and powdered sugar. Can you say YUM???? You will get super sticky after eating this one, so be prepared to get sticky. You might want to have some wipes on hand if you don’t want to be making an extra trip to the restroom to wash them off. Another one to share if you plan on trying everything at the fair.

6) Deep-Fried Corn at Chuckwagon

LACF-Roasted-Corn

A much healthier item at the fair by far, and one of my personal fair favorites since I was a kid. It may be simple, but adding some toppings to it makes it an extra special treat.

5) Deep-Fried Bacon Wrapped Chicken & Waffles at Chicken Charlie’s

LACF-Bacon-Chicken-&-Waffles

You can never have too many versions of chicken and waffles right? I am a total sucker for all things sweet and savory so I love this version of it from Chicken Charlie’s!

4) Deep-Fried Guacamole at Chicken-Charlie’s

Deep-Fried-Avocado

I love all things made with avocado, so it is no surprise that this one is towards the top of my list of “must haves” at the fair this year! Take the crispy goodness of the deep-fried crust with the gooey inside of the soft guacamole and you get one delicious, tangy and flavorful treat. Dip it with just enough ranch dressing to make it the perfect fair snack.

3) Mango Michelagua at Ricco’s Michelaguas

LACF-Riccos

This one is a super refreshing treat! I could seriously drink these all day at the fair and be perfectly happy and this isn’t even an alcoholic drink! You will want one (or two) of these to cool off with on a hot day at the fair. This one shown is Mango but there are other varieties like Pineapple-Spinach and Lemonade-Cucumber. Filled with fresh fruit and topped with cherimoya and chili around the rim, makes it the most refreshing treat to cool down with and quench your thirst.

2)  Teriyaki Chicken Pineapple Bowl at Pineapple Express/Chicken Charlie’s

Chicken-Charlies-Pineapple-Chicken

This has to be my most favorite healthier option at the fair. Take some tender teriyaki chicken in Charlie’s secret sauce and put it over rice and pineapple chunks in a real pineapple  bowl and you get one sweet and delicious tropical meal.

1) Deep-Fried Cinnamon Apple Rings at Chuckwagon

LACF-Apple-Rings

If you only try one thing at the fair this year, make sure it’s THIS! New to the L.A. County Fair, these Apple Rings have been deep-fried and lightly coated and sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar. Dip them into the whipped cream and you have the most sweet and delectable treat one can imagine. Now this may be one you DON’T want to share! 😉

So there you have it! My top 10 food picks for the fair. My advice: if you plan on attending this year’s fair, prepare yourself and pace yourself! Share everything with a buddy so you have more room to enjoy all of the deep-fried goodness that the fair has to offer. Wear comfortable pants that aren’t too tight. If your eyes are like mine, they are bigger than your stomach. So even if you don’t want to, SHARE. Otherwise, half-way in you will already be stuffed like a Thanksgiving Turkey! 😛 Trust.Me. On this! Also, this way, instead of gaining a gazillion pounds, it will probably be more like 2.

 

P.S. Don’t forget to check out the awesome lights at night at Luminasia! It is sadly in its final year at the fair so you won’t want to miss out on that. Don’t forget to say hello to all of the cute animals either, and to play some games and go on a ride or two once all of that food settles a bit…. and  The Steam Punkers at Grinding Gears! They are returning again this year and they are pretty awesome. 🙂

What are you looking forward to pigging out on at the fair this year? 😉

LA County Fair 2015

Dates: Sept. 4 – Sept. 27, 2015

CLOSED Mondays (except for Monday 9/7) & Tuesdays

Fairplex Exposition Complex
1101 West McKinley Ave.
Pomona, CA 

(909) 623-3111

What’s New at Knott’s This Summer? #KnottsIronReef #NewAtKnotts

Posted on by

What’s New at Knott’s This Summer?

By Erin

Summer’s coming early to Knott’s this year! Starting June 13 through September 7, Knott’s celebrates summer in a big way with all new entertainment. Headlining the exciting summer entertainment lineup are Blockbuster Beagle!, Vertical Impact, Vertical Impact: Geared Up!, and more sensational shows. Oh, and you cannot forget the new ride, Voyage to the Iron Reef. Check out the line up below!

KnottsSummer

NEW RIDES! Voyage to the Iron Reef!

Voyage to the Iron Reef Concept Art

Surfacing May 2015, Voyage to the Iron Reef™ is a spectacular new interactive 4-D ride for the entire family. Riders aim their freeze rays at menacing sea creatures while competing against each other to blast the highest score and save Knott’s from an otherwise watery doom.

Blockbuster Beagle!…on ice  – Charles M. Schulz Theatre

Blockbuster Beagle! Snoopy On IceSnoopy and his Peanuts buddies “go Hollywood” bringing Walk of Fame glamour, dazzling movie lot escapades and California excitement to a brand new ice show adventure. June 13 – August 23 No shows on Wednesdays

Vertical Impact & Vertical Impact Geared Up Show

Vertical ImpactVertical Impact presents the ultimate blend of extreme stunts with high flying acrobats performing a one of a kind performance perfect for the entire family! The fun continues into the night with Vertical Impact, Geared Up! Set to the most popular songs of today, it combines everything from trampoline stunts, bmx bikes, skaters, dancers, and aerialists. Every show ends with an informal meet & greet for the guests with the entire cast on stage. “DJ Nytemadness” will keep the party going by mixing all the best of current EDM, dance & pop hits after each show while the cast joins the guests of all ages to dance, party, take selfies, and just be a part of it all. June 13 – August 23 No shows on Mondays & Tuesdays

Charlie Brown’s Happy Campers – Camp Snoopy Theatre

Knotts Camp SnoopyJoin Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and the world’s most popular beagle, Snoopy in a show that’s sure to make an outdoorsman out of anybody! Daily, June 14 through September 1

Continue reading »