The OC Fair will be driving in the excitement and fun for 2007-the year of Herefords, surfers and sand-with a cattle drive, sand arts, surf bands, and the return of the wildly popular "Weird Al" Yankovic.

The highly anticipated annual summer extravaganza will literally open with a bang on Fri., July 13, with a first-ever opening night fireworks show over the Fair. Then, until Sun., Aug. 5, fairgoers can enjoy their favorites, like hypnotist Mark Yuzuik, the Stars of the Peking Acrobats, Alaskan racing pigs, and free community entertainment, as well as competitions, contests, shopping, food, and carnival rides.

he most recognized western movie extra, the spotted Hereford cow, will be featured throughout the 2007 OC Fair, in keeping with the Fair theme of "Cowabunga! - The Year of Herefords, Surfers & Sand." Southern California living, specifically surfing and the miles of sandy beaches, will also be prominently showcased during the 21-day event.

Over 300 Corriente steers will be driven through local city streets as a part of the secondever OC Fair Cattle Drive on Fri., July 27. Prior to the actual drive, 2,007 young fairgoers will don free cow hats and hoof-it down Livestock Lane on Wed., July 25, in the Cowabunga Kids Parade.

In celebration of the Fair theme, a number of Fair exhibit areas will be redecorated, including Cowabunga Beach,which will house games and activities for children and families. Each day fairgoers can watch the Ultimate Sand Sculpture demonstration, by Sandscapes, near Blue Gate, and then they can rock out with surf bands or be awestruck by the live sand animations of renowned Hungarian artist Ferenc Cako every night.

After a two-year hiatus, "Weird Al" Yankovic will return to the Fair in support of his Grammy-nominated new release "Straight Outta Lynwood." The comedian-meets-musician has been entertaining the world with his unique musical parodies and original tunes for over 24 years. Yankovic will be in the Grandstand Arena nightly from July 17-21. Other arena events include demolition derby, freestyle motocross jumping, speedway, bull riding, Lucha Libre, AGA-BOOM, and other free entertainment during the complete Fair run.

Fair nights will be hot during the Lexus Summer Concert Series at Pacific Amphitheatre with exciting headline entertainment. The full schedule can be found at ocfair.com.

Fairgoers in a giving mood will be rewarded for donating food or booksfor local organizations on two special days. From Noon to 6 p.m. on Wed., July 18, each fairgoer who donates at least five canned or dry food items during the Summer Food Drive will receive free general Fair admission. Then from Noon to 6 p.m. on Wed., Aug. 1, each fairgoer who donates one new or three gently used children's books during the Summer Book Drive will receive free general admission.

The 2007 OC Fair is July 13-Aug. 5. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, Noon-Midnight; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-Midnight; and closed Mondays. General admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (60+), $4 for children (6-12), and children 5 and younger are free. On Tuesdays, children 12 and younger are admitted for free all day for Kids Days. On Thursdays, seniors 60 and older are admitted for the reduced price of $4 and receive free Ferris wheel and merry-go-round rides all day for Senior Days. Parking is $5 for general and $10 for preferred.

For the full listing of the 2007 OC Fair events and information, visit ocfair.com.