O.C. Fair’s Arturo the Churro loses the sombrero, gets a cowboy hat

Cute food-inspired characters representing a wholesome county fair aren’t usually the controversy-causing type … unless they are named Arturo the Churro and are designed with a mustache and sombrero.

That’s when a politically correct makeover appears to be in order.

Arturo, a mascot for the upcoming Orange County Fair this summer, has doffed the sombrero in favor of a cowboy hat and bandanna on the recommendation of the event’s ad agency, according to spokeswoman Robin Wachner.

Fair director Nick Berardino had reservations about Arturo when reviewing the suggested food characters, concerned the mascot “may have a little bit of a racial connotation,” according to the Orange County Register.

Marketing materials with his former attire were not publicly distributed, Wachner said. The fair’s theme is “Come & Get It.”

Now, Arturo’s sitting in the lineup with fellow characters Olivia Orange, Clemon the Lemon, Carl the Cotton Candy, Spike the Carrot, Slim the Bacon Strip and Dip the Corn Dog.

Tim the Deep-Fried Twinkie apparently didn’t make the cut.

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