It was a one in a million kind of year for the OC Fair - a more than one million patrons kind of year. In its 113th year, the annual event set an all-time attendance record of 1,058,192 during its 21-day run from July 8-31.

"Surpassing the million visitors mark only further highlights the fact that, through hard work and dedication, the OC Fair has become a wonderful event for not only Orange County but for all of California," OC Fair CEO Becky Bailey-Findley said.

Anaheim resident and firsttime Fairgoer Rebecca Harris, 7, was the lucky millionth visitor to help mark the record-breaker on Sunday, July 31. Accompanied by her parents Mark and Glenda, the slightly overwhelmed youngster received a lifetime pass to the Fair and free carnival rides and food for the day.

Themed "It's Callin' You Out to Play," this year's event focused on the joy a child at age or heart can feel when at play. From the annual carnival rides and games to the special-for-2005 free play area at the Main Gate and toy exhibit in the Fair Play building, all Fairgoers were encouraged to have fun.

And there was also a lot of "guac" to go around as Fairgoers helped the Fair salute the versatile avocado by devouring some 10,000 deep-fried avocado slices from Chicken Charlie's and some 14,000 stuffed deep-fried avocados from Baja Blues.

But growth was truly the trend in 2005 as food sales increased 17 percent to $8.2 million, admission revenue increased 25 percent to $4.5 million, and parking revenue increased 6.5 percent to $1.3 million.

Ray Cammack Shows (RCS), the Fair's contracted carnival operator from Laveen, Ariz., had an all-time record year with carnival revenue of $5.2 million.

"It was great that this milestone was associated with such a great event and team as the OC Fair," RCS Marketing Director Tony Fiori said.

Summer nights were rockin' for a third consecutive year with the OC Fair Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre. Concertgoers filled the 8,500-seat venue nightly for acts such as The B-52's, the Steve Miller Band, Hilary Duff, Heart, Third Day, LeAnn Rimes, Chris Isaak, and The Scorpions.

And for the outstanding free entertainment in the Citizens Business Bank Arena, patrons enjoyed everything from the fender-bending "Orange Crush" Demolition Derby to the crazy antics of comedian Carrot Top. Spanish-speaking Fairgoers were also treated to live performances from LATV's "Mex 2 the Max", Tele Estrellas, and impersonator Julio Sabala.

At the Junior Livestock Auction, reward for hard work was on the menu as 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) youth raised $253,043 by selling 312 animals, which is an increase of 30 percent in funds raised.

Fairgoers also showed their generosity in full force at both of this year's community gate promotions. The Canned Food Drive had a Fair record-setting 20.5 tons of nonperishable food items donated by some 8,500 patrons, which will feed 82,000 individuals through Second Harvest Food Bank. The Summer Book Drive collected another record-setting 35,790 new and gently used children's books from 11,109 bookworms, which will benefit Orange County public elementary schools through Reading by 9.

"It was truly another amazing year for the OC Fair and all of its partners," Bailey-Findley said.

Dates and theme for the 2006 OC Fair have yet to be announced.