A youthful vibe will be
"Moovin n' Groovin" at the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center on April 27-29 for the 28th annual Youth Expo, which will be presented for a second year by family entertainment center Boomers!- Where fun rules.

Thousands of local schoolchildren, schools, youth groups and families will take over the fairgrounds for the free annual event, which recognizes Orange County youth for their positive accomplishments in math, science, literature, agriculture, art, and the community.

New for 2007, Youth Expo organizers are partnering with Parenting Orange County Magazine to hold the local publication's "Parenting OC Camps and Education Fair" in conjunction with Youth Expo.

Student projects on a variety of academic subjects will be on display in the School Projects building throughout the three-day event. The best student projects are awarded ribbons, trophies and cash awards.

Future gardeners and farmers can showoff their young talent with an entry in the Li'l Sprouts Farm and Garden Competition on April 27. Pre-registration is not required and all self-grown fruits, vegetables, or flowers can be delivered to Centennial Farm from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. that day for submission.

The 18th annual Home Builders Council (HBC) Design/Build Competition will set-up shop for a third year with its two-day event which challenges high school, community college, Youth Build, and Regional Occupation Program (ROP) student teams to design and build as professional builders would.

For the 52nd annual Orange County Science and Engineering Fair, science and math will be the featured attraction with hundreds of individual and group projects on display from students in the sixth through 12th grades.

Junior and senior high school jazz bands will provide the "groovin" for 2007 during the 17th annual Youth Expo Jazz Festival. The top novice and advance groups will rock out in the two-day competition.

Academia won't be the only thing "moovin" locals to OCFEC for the spring. Gale Webb is slated to return with her Extreme Sports and Air Show, which features some of the youngest BMX, inline and skateboarding stars of today.

Games and fun will round out the experience with interactive quirky science exhibits in the Wild Science area and a special gaming area. Attendees can also enjoy carnival rides and a number of free activities.

Additionally, Youth Expo features include a 4-H livestock competition, Girl Scout exhibits, crafts, and educational resources and information.

Youth Expo hours are Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, visit www.ocfair.com.