This New Year's Eve, Orange County residents have a better option than simply watching on TV all the lights, music and festivities happening thousands of miles away in Times Square. On Dec. 31, people can instead ring in 2006 down the street at the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center.

Touted as the largest New Year's Eve party on the West Coast, the Orange County New Year's Eve (OCNYE) event will feature live music, dancing, food, exhibits and other festivities throughout the fairgrounds. romoters are also working on Orange County's version of the Times Square ball dropping with the "Orange Ball." Hours and admission are yet to be determined. For more information, visit www.ocnye.com.

On Oct. 1 and 2, the sights, sounds and flavors of the Persian culture will fill the fairgrounds as part of the annual Persian Harvest Festival. Thousands are expected to visit OCFEC for the ancestral dancing, Persian customs, arts and crafts, ancient sports demonstrations, live musical performances and exotic Persian foods. Adult [pre-sale admission is $20. Admission is $25 at the event. Children under 10 years old and parking are free. Preferred parking is $5. Hours of the two-day event are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

On Oct. 29 and 30, the creepy and the crawly will be the guests of honor at the West Coast Reptile Show hosted by Radical Reptiles. Vendors from around the globe will be selling reptiles and all the necessities they need to maintain their scaly exteriors. There will also be a number of exotic animal shows every hour, including a possibly stomach-turning Roach Eating Contest on Saturday. Adult admission is $7.50 and children 12 and under are $5. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Goblins, witches, ghosts and ghouls will be trolling the Orange County Market Place for free candy during the 8th Annual Trick or Treat Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 30. In addition to the sweet treats, a hearse procession and appearance by Dr. Demento will accompany professional pumpkin carving demonstrations, decorated vendor booths and other activities. Young trick-or-treaters also will get the opportunity to hack away at a pumpkin in the kids carving patch area.

In preparation for the haunted festivities, the Market Place will be hosting a fundraising pumpkin patch on Oct. 23. Proceeds will benefit the Rancho Alamitos High School Octagon Club, a community service-based, after-school program.

The Orange County Market Place is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Adult admission is $2 and children under 12 are free.