If you’re looking to do something out of the ordinary, you might want to take a drive to Huntington Beach for the US Open of Surfing. My son loves watching the surfers at the beach and I figure this might give us something to do this weekend. From what I’ve read it’s a fun and lively event with plenty of waves, surf and entertainment. There will be concerts, fashion shows , skateboarding and BMX competitions. There is limited parking, so plan on arriving early and enjoy the festivities. For directions, schedule and additional information click here. The US Open will run through Sunday July 27th.

The fair is already half over with, can you believe it? Here are some fun things to do there with your family during the remaining days.

Slip away for a cheese affair at the 2008 OC Fair. “Say Cheese,” the 2008 OC Fair theme, takes center stage at the OC Cheese A-Fair from July 22-August 3. This farm-to-table exhibit about the California cheese industry offers a glimpse at cheesy family favorites as well as sophisticated delicacies through demonstrations, exhibits, contests and activities.

Visitors can dive right into the cheesy goodness through contests such as the “Who Cut the Cheese?” Amateur Sculpture Event, Cheesy Costume Contest, and the Iron Man Cheese Challenge, where adult contestants attempt to make the best grilled cheese sandwich with a clothes iron. Enter the Easy Cheesy Recipe Contest and Demonstration and if your delicious cheese recipe captures the judges’ attention, you will be given the opportunity to teach other Fairgoers why you are such a big cheese.

For those with a more refined palette, the OC Cheese A-Fair offers cheese tastings and cheese-themed demonstrations. Cheese tastings will be presented by Priscilla Madrid, owner of Frogs Breath Cheese Store in Orange. Additional fees apply. Learn about the varieties of cheese, wine parings, cooking with cheese and more in daily demonstrations presented by Chef Debbi Dubbs, Winchester Cheese, Louise Mellor of The Art of Cuisine, Cacique Cheese, the Orange County Wine Society, Frogs Breath Cheese Store and the OC Fair’s own gourmet chef-in-residence and “cheese whiz” Renee Fontes. Barrie Lynn, ‘The Cheese Impresario,’ will present an interactive demonstration geared for kids with a focus on ‘squeaky’ cheese curds.

Art lovers can observe cheese sculpting by professional food sculptor Jim Victor, who will create a delicious masterpiece from a 640 lb. block of cheddar donated by Land O’Lakes.

A selection of award winning California cheeses will be available to purchase. The 21 year old and over crowd can compliment their cheese purchase with a variety of wines sold by the glass from V.Sattui Winery of St. Helena, located in Napa Valley.

The OC Cheese A-Fair also includes hands-on activities for children including ‘Cheesy Riders’ miniature toy tractors for the 4 and under crowd, while adults can enjoy the Hal & Ted Segerstrom Tractor Exhibit.

The OC Fair is looking to hit a home run with the first-ever Angels FanFair Day on Tues., July 22, at 12:30 p.m. in Fair Square.

Hosted inside the Fair’s gates, Angels FanFair Day will feature an autograph session with current and former Angels’ baseball players and a charity contest between the players. Tuesdays are Kids Days and children 12 and under are free all day.

Former Angels’ player and current Angels’ baseball analyst Rex Hudler will compete with other popular Angels in the “Say Cheese” Ball Toss on behalf of their favorite charities. The winning charity receives an OC Fair prize package. Scheduled to appear are Joe Saunders, Reggie Willits, Darren O’Day and Clyde Wright. Appearances subject to change.

The first 50 fairgoers through the Main Gate wearing an Angels’ shirt will be moved to the front of the line for autographs, as well as receive two free tickets to a regular season Angels’ game. The Fair’s Main Gate is off Fair Drive.

Everyone in line for FanFair will receive a free Angels’ promotional item to commemorate their day at the Fair with the Angels.

The 2008 OC Fair, themed “Say Cheese!” is July 11-Aug. 3 in Costa Mesa. The Fair will be closed on Mondays (July 21, and 28).

Conveniently located off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in the heart of Costa Mesa, the 150-acre OC Fair & Event Center is a popular Southern California destination, hosting over 150 events and shows a year. It is the home of the annual OC Fair, Youth Expo, Centennial Farm, The Ranch and Pacific Amphitheatre.

For more information, visit ocfair.com.