Arturo the Churro's new look

By MIKE REICHER / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

When it comes to something as innocent as food at the OC Fair, racial stereotyping is probably the last thing to come to mind.

But OC Fair Director Nick Berardino balked when he saw the food characters in this year's fair theme, "Come & Get It."

Fair marketers trotted out employees dressed as iconic fair food at a recent meeting, explaining that food is one of the most popular attractions each year. There was Cornelius the corn cob, Scoop the ice cream cone and Arturo the Churro, donning a sombrero and moustache.

"Arturo the Churro may have a little bit of a racial connotation," said Berardino, who is also the general manager of the Orange County Employees Association.

Marketers are apparently listening to his concerns.

They temporarily removed Arturo from the lineup and are giving the churro a "slight makeover," said fair Communications Director Robin Wachner. They'll keep his name and moustache, but instead of a sombrero, he'll have a cowboy hat and bandanna. More at the Orange County Register