Ventura County Fair: If you're a committed county fair fan and you live in Southern California, the start of August must be a cotton candy-scented daydream: That's right around the time that two robust festivities, the OC Fair in Costa Mesa and Ventura County Fair in Ventura, are in full twinkle. OC Fair has been open for a couple of weeks, while the Ventura party is heading into its first weekend (it wraps Aug. 9). You'll need a ticket to visit each, but doing both in one weekend or even a day? It's a big goal, but perhaps munching various foods on sticks will fuel you.
Brewsology Brew Fest: A caboodle of regional cideries and craft brew pros will call upon the California Science Center for a night of samples, sipping, food trucks, and opportunities to stroll the educational museum's exhibits. This is a 21+ event, keep in mind, and it is happening after-hours (that's the "night" part) on Aug. 1, making it a treat for anyone who likes trying beer samples inside, in a cooler setting. Food purchases are additional, yep.
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WATCH HEREMelon Night Market: Tanaka Farms will soon move into pumpkin mode, but melons are the star of high summer in Irvine, and a Friday night market devoted to melon love, and a host of vendors, is popping up at the agricultural gem. There are wagon rides, too, and fresh-air'd diversions, and chances to snack and sup on purchased food. This is happening for a few more Friday nights, but you can book a Melon Tasting Tour in the daytime, too.
Joint Seafood DTLA Block Party: Trying to guess what a sizable salmon weighs? This may be in your wheelhouse, or perhaps you're about to find out you have a previously undiscovered skill. Either way, this free gathering at the shop will have a mondo fish for one lucky winner to take home. Other food purveyors will be there, and live music is part of the Aug. 2 scene.
Aquarium of the Pacific's new penguin chick: Leading the life of a Magellanic penguin sounds pretty good during these hot days. That's not possible for the non-penguins among us, but penguin-obsessed people can make their way to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach to behold Ari, the new chick to join the June Keyes Penguin Habitat. His parents Kate and Robbie are part of the flock, too, making it a sweet family affair.
