REVIEW: Winter Fest at the OC Fairgrounds | @WinterfestOC #WinterfestOC

With all the choices of fun winter festivals, which ones do you choose?  While we would love to do them all, it's not realistic.  New this year in the OC was a new Winter Carnival at the OC Fair and Event Center and we were invited to check it out.

The first thing that you notice as you walk into the carnival is the largest ornament you have ever seen!  We had to walk inside and take a selfie. :-)




One thing you will notice is that while the area is at the OC Fair Grounds, the carnival is on a much smaller scale but packed with fun things.  You don't feel like you have to walk miles to have fun. 

My kids jumped on the opportunity to go snow tubing and spent a good half hour laughing and racing.

There are a few stands with food and hot drinks but not a ton of choices to choose from. 

 I would recommend eating before hand so you can maximize money, time and fun.  Choose a hot chocolate and sweet treat for the kids for after they ice-skate maybe? 

We enjoyed the carolers both at the stage and around the Christmas Tree in a tree-lighting ceremony that included "snow" and the big man himself.  

Crafts will keep your kids occupied while they wait for their turn with Santa.  We made adorable ornaments that we hung on our tree at home.  Face-painting, trains, and caricatures were a hit with our whole family.

I saved the best area for last and my kids were SO excited!  They met REAL reindeer!  They couldn't help but share their knowlede with the other children that all of the reindeer were girls because they still had antlers. (boys lose their antlers after the breeding season)  

It took a few moments after the magic of seeing the reindeer to notice the ride area.  Begging for rides and games, they dragged a laughing me to the carnival area.  Luckily, the tickets included one ride with purchase.   We bought additional rides and spent the next hour spinning, swinging, and winning prizes.  We even came home with a new pet fish.

I am happy to see more family events at the OC Fair and Event Center.  I usually remember it when Spring and Summer come along for their Youth Fair, concert series and of course the OC Fair.

Thanks for helping me make memories with my kids OC WinterFest!

DISCLAIMER:  I was invited to a media night in exchange for sharing my experience.  All thoughts and pictures are my own.  Do not use any photos without permission.