A Fair is a Veritable Smorgasbord…
We spent yesterday, October 18th, at the Orange County Fair Grounds for the OC Japan Fair. https://www.oc-japanfair.com/#info
This is a yearly event, but it was our first time there. This was the first thing we saw going in.
This was foodie heaven. Ten times bigger than the Spirit of Japan in Ventura. No kidding! Sixty-five food vendors as opposed to 12, and 140 non-food vendors as opposed to 3. Outside, vendors as far as the eye could see.
For lunch, Kris had the Japanese fried chicken and I had the waffle fish. There were several to choose from. I had the pepperoni and cheese-filled one.
There was also saki tasting, with 40 vendors, for the so-inclined. Neither Kris or I drink.
And… wait… a margarita booth? I think there’s some confusion here.
These little guys were everywhere. Some giant ones as big as three feet tall. I think they’re this generation’s beanie babies.
And why don’t we have garlic-steak flavored Doritos here in America???
Inside (two rooms) it was like the dealer’s room at an anime con. Check out this pin booth…
You really had to dig to find what you wanted, but it was worth it. I found these two from the Cartoon Network show, Hi, Hi, Puffy Ami Yumi. They’ve been together for over 25 years, which kind of makes them the Rolling Stones of Japanese pop culture.
And Kris found a few pins as well.
And there was also this very popular sticker booth. Even at only a dollar a piece, it was still dangerous taking Kris in there. 
I didn’t get a picture of this booth, but I did buy their ramen. Buy two, get one free. They’re just entering the American market. My favorite cup ramen right now is Shin Black, but I can’t wait to try these.
Well, I’m glad they cleared that up.
There were three live stages, but we missed those for roaming around the dealers. They had a couple of cosplay events, a Japanese tea ceremony, many J-Pop singers and bands and a tuna-cutting demonstration. Apparently, tuna cutting is a big thing. We really wanted to see the Taiko drums, but they were only there Sunday.
I think we will be going back next year, although traffic going home took us two and a half hours. I can do without that.
Dennis
291st blog completed.
Second Steampunk novel: 17,747 words. Chapter Five done.
Second Steampunk screenplay: 157 pages.
First Steampunk screenplay: Updated with notes from the novelization.
First Steampunk novel: 77,546 words. Completed until an editor reviews it.
Third Steampunk screenplay: 38 pages.
Even before we walked into the fair ground, we saw this…
If I wasn’t going to my niece’s wedding that day…
My wife and my adopted fan brat are threating to take me next year. I’m not complaining.
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