With Los Hermanos Mendoza
Pacific Amphitheatre – August 13, 2026
Let me start by saying I got these tickets for $25 apiece on 4th of July. The OC Fair was having a sale. I’d already. had my eye on this show, but Julie has moved to Florida and I couldn’t think of anyone else who would want to see Dwight. I figured for $25 a ticket, even if I couldn’t find someone to go, I could go by myself and it would just be like buying a $50 ticket. Dwight is worth $50. He’s worth MORE than $50. When I told Julie I bought the tickets, she said, “What day is it?…Yeah, I think I’ll come out for that.”
After Pageant Of The Masters (and Knott’s Berry Farm AND Julie’s cross country flight), we were exhausted so we spent the day in our hotel room catching up and eating Porto’s. It was just the recharge we needed. Around 4:00, we put on our cowboy boots and headed to the fair. When you buy concert tickets for the fair series, they come with free admission to the OC Fair. We learned that last year with Beck. I parked as close as I could to the exit of the Pacific Amphitheatre and we made out way to the main gate of the fair. We had plenty of time to wander through the exhibit halls and grab a funnel cake before the concert started. Another thing we learned last year is that there is an entrance to the amphitheatre from inside the fair AND you can bring whatever food and beverages you’ve purchased at the fair into the amphitheatre – not that the food and drinks are any less expensive at the fair, but at least you don’t need to finish it before you go to your seat.
The opening act was Los Hermanos Mendoza and they were great! Who better to lead off a Dwight Yoakam show than 3 brothers from Bakersfield. They did a mix of classic country songs and original pieces. The bass playing brother even plays upright bass! Just fantastic. I’m keeping my eye on them, because I’d like to see them again.
And what can I say about Dwight? Dwight always delivers. I have seen him many times and I have never been disappointed. He did all the favorites. During Streets of Bakersfield he added many So. Cal. Cities and he knows them all because he’s lived here so long. It was the perfect way to end a day at the fair, with the beautiful sunset behind the amphitheatre and a wonderful night of music.
