Piglets born on July 7th nurse from their mother at the fairgrounds at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The rush is on to finish setting up for the OC Fair, which opens Friday, July 13, at the OC Fair & Event Center.
The workers have been getting early starts each day, trying to beat the heat as they build the rides and other features. The contest exhibits are being arranged and the fair animals cared for as they settle in for the four-week event.
Sarah Kupelian of the Great American Petting Zoo, holds two baby pygmy goats born on Monday at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Costa Mesa. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Piglets born on July 7th nurse from their mother at the fairgrounds at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A cake by Debbie Smith, right, in the category, Decorated Fondant Non-Formal Cake, sits on a table as judges mark their ballots at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sarah Kupelian of the Great American Petting Zoo, holds a baby pygmy goat born on Monday at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Costa Mesa. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A worker rides by the Rave Wave with just days before the opening of the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa.
(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kathleen Cunningham of Mission Viejo puts the finals touches on her table setting entry, Playing to Win, before judging at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Piglets born on July 7th nurse from their mother at the fairgrounds at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
With just days before the opening of the OC Fair, a worker makes his way along the second floor of the Fun Factory at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A bowl by Richard Haagsma in the category, Wood Turning, at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
With just days before the opening of the OC Fair, crews landscape around a giant cow wearing overalls the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
With just days before the opening of the OC Fair, Ron Haen wipes down the Flying Dutchman ride at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
With just days before the opening of the OC Fair, crews put the finishing touches on getting set up for the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
With just days before the opening of the OC Fair, a worker wipes down a sign at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Volunteer Nancy Truglio of Newport Beach takes oxen on a walk through the fairgrounds at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Piglets born on July 7th nurse from their mother at the fairgrounds at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Volunteer Nancy Truglio of Newport Beach takes oxen on a walk through the fairgrounds at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Piano keys by Craig Sobel in the category, Wood Turning, at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Piglets born on July 7th nurse from their mother at the fairgrounds at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cookies by Beth Dancy in the category, Decorated Cupcakes, Pops and Cookies, at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A cake by Joana Arenas in the category, Decorated Fondant Non-Formal Cake, at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A cake by Lori Maas in the category, Traditional Icing Cake, at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cookies by Yanett Ortiz in the category, Decorated Cupcakes, Pops and Cookies, at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Piglets born on July 7th nurse from their mother at the fairgrounds at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The fair opens Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A cake by Elizabeth Alcazar in the category, Decorated Fondant Non-Formal Cake, at the OC Fair on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Already built is the 130-foot-high La Grande Wheel XL, which took more than 20 trailers to carry in.
Last year more than 1.3 million people attended the fair, which is the second largest in California, only behind the fair held in Del Mar. The OC Fair & Event Center is 150 acres.
