Tuesday, June 28, 2022 (4:26 pm)

On June 23, the OC Fair Board reviewed a presentation from CEO Michele Richards on the mid-year state of the Fair.

The report covered the agency’s budget process, our place in the fair industry, bringing mission and values into focus, engaging the community, new business development, transparency, technology, workforce development, the financial outlook and opportunities and challenges.

View the 2022 State of the Fair presentation.  

Tuesday, June 21, 2022 (2:54 pm)

Today we held auditions for our new Foodie, and this was one of our favorites – we hired them on the spot!

We thought it’d be the perfect way to introduce our Lemon’s name. *drumroll*

Meet SUNNY!!

This year, Sunny will join his Foodie friends Olivia (the Orange), Arturo the Churro, Cornelius and Strawberry Jan every day at the OC Fair.

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our naming contest on social media – we had 250+ votes! John Lemmon came in real close, and there were lots of votes for Twist/Twisty and Drop/Lemon Drop.

Some of the write-ins were also pretty great. We got tons of variations of Squeezy, Zesty, Lemony and Lemonade. Some of you went with citrus themed, suggesting names like Pucker, Sour and Tart. Others went literal with names like Meyer and Bonnie Brae. Lots recommended we name the Lemon after famous people or characters such as Miley Cytrus, Lemon Stefani, Jack Lemon, Liz Lemon LuluLemon and even Pikalemon. A few gave the Lemon fun last names like Bigfair, McLemonFace and Picket. We especially enjoyed the creative ones like Nomel (lemon spelled backwards) and the French-sounding Sunny Le Monet.

Don’t forget to say hi to Sunny this summer at the OC Fair!

Thursday, June 16, 2022 (5:30 pm)

The OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition is the largest California-only wine competition and is in its 46th year. Only the best winemakers and winery principles were invited to be a part of the 17 panels of up to five judges who blindly tasted 2,516 wines June 4-5.

Fran Gitsham, the president of Orange County Wine Society and host of the event, was in charge of this massive production powered by 300 volunteers. “The flow” is how Gitsham referred to the system of how the wines were judged.

First, the bar-coded wines were poured in sequence by stewards, who delivered them carefully to each table. Once a judging table completed their tasting, they waved a green “pick up glasses” sign, signaling the stewards to retrieve the glasses and walk them to a side room to be cleaned for the next wines. At the same time, their judging forms were picked up and taken to the data validation and entry room. The data was then verified using computerized lists, and by the end of the day they had complete reports of the day’s judging. This was repeated until all wines had been judged.

Results for the 2022 Commercial Wine Competition are now available at winecompetition.com/results/2022. Plus, the wines will be available to purchase by the glass at the annual OC Fair in the Courtyard. 

Wednesday, April 20, 2022 (3:53 pm)

Monday, April 11, 2022 (4:11 pm)

♦ Discovery Day at the Farm, April 14 & April 27
Discovery Days at Centennial Farm are open to the public and perfect for group visits. Docents are on hand to answer questions during your self-guided tours and there will be extra activities to help students learn about agriculture.

Hours: Thursday, April 14, and Tuesday, April 27, 9 a.m.-noon
Where on the fairgrounds: Centennial Farm
How much: Free admission and parking
More info: See complete list of dates and reserve your spot at ocfair.com/discoveryday

♦ Fight Club OC, April 14
Pro boxing and MMA bring live action to The Hangar.

Hours: Thursday, April 14, 7 p.m.
Where on the fairgrounds: The Hangar
How much: $60 tickets, parking is $10.
More info: Visit socafights.com

♦ Speaker Series: Mexican American Pilots of WWII, April 16
Judge Frederick Aguirre will present a photographic display of 11 World War II bomber pilots. He will weave in statistics regarding the service of over 500,000 Mexican American service members in WWII and discuss the challenges they faced due to their Mexican heritage. This speaker series is in conjunction with the museum’s newest exhibit, Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in WWII.

Hours: Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where on the fairgrounds: Heroes Hall Museum
How much: Free admission and parking.
More info: Registration is required and limited; go to ocfair.com/heroeshall/rsvp

♦ Bubble Run, April 16
Participants run, walk, dance and play across 3 miles of rad real estate. Foam Bogs of colored suds are encountered along the course, bringing back memories of car washes and bathtub bubble beards.

Hours: Saturday, April 16; check-in begins at 6 a.m.
The Bubble Run has three separate start times (8, 9 and 10 a.m.). Please plan on arriving 60-90 minutes prior to wave start. Packet pickup is available at Road Runner Sports in Costa Mesa on Friday, April 15, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (no fee). Race Day packet pickup at the OC Fairgrounds is also available ($5 cash-only fee).
Where on the fairgrounds: Lots I and G
How much: Free admission (event insurance purchase required, plus fees), parking is $10
More info: Visit bubblerun.com

♦ Foam Glow, April 16
Foam Glow 5K is a fun-filled experience exposing runners to Glowing Foam and a ton of blacklights all over the course. Glowing runners come from all different ages, shapes, sizes and speeds.

Hours: Saturday, April 16, 7-10 p.m.; check-in starts at 5 p.m.
Please plan on arriving 60-90 minutes prior to wave start. Packet pickup is available at Road Runner Sports in Costa Mesa on Friday, April 15, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (no fee). Race Day packet pickup at the OC Fairgrounds is also available ($5 cash-only fee).
Where on the fairgrounds: Lots I and G
How much: Free admission (event insurance purchase required, plus fees), parking is $10
More info: Visit foamglow.com

♦ The Original O.C. Swap Meet, April 23-24
This event was created to provide a space for local small businesses and the community to come together in an outdoor setting. The swap meet showcases products and goods for all to buy and enjoy.

Hours: Saturday & Sunday, April 23-24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where on the fairgrounds: Lot D
How much: Free admission. Parking is $10.
More info: Check instagram.com/ogocswapmeet, email ogswapmeet@gmail.com or call (949) 302-0355

♦ OC Fair Board of Directors meeting, April 28
OC Fair’s Board of Directors typically meets monthly via Zoom and in person at OC Fair & Event Center. The agenda and location for this meeting will be available later in the month at ocfair.com/public-information/public-meetings.

The public is invited to watch or participate in Board meetings via Zoom or in person. The meetings, which begin at 9:30 a.m., will also be recorded and posted on our website afterward.

♦ The SDCCU OC Marathon Running Festival, April 29-May 1
Join us as we celebrate Orange County with the 18th Annual OC Running Festival. Event weekend includes OC Half Marathon, Full Marathon, Kids Run the OC and the Celebrate OC 5K – not to mention activations from various sponsors, and the celebrate OC festival!

OC Lifestyle and Fitness Expo – Friday, April 29, 4 -8 p.m. & Saturday, April 30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
OC 5K & Kids Run the OC – Saturday, April 30, 5 p.m. (Finish Line Festival is 3-7 p.m.)
SDCCU OC Marathon start – Sunday, May 1, 5:30 a.m.
SDCCU OC Half Marathon start – Sunday, May 1, 6:15 a.m. (Finish Line Festival is 8 a.m.-noon)
How much: Visit ocmarathon.com for registration fees. Admission to OC Lifestyle & Fitness Expo is free. Parking at OC Fair & Event Center is $10.

Ongoing events at OC Fair & Event Center
♦ COVID testing – Open Monday-Friday
Free COVID testing on the fairgrounds.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where on the fairgrounds: Lot E (corner of Fairview and Arlington; enter at Gate 4)
How much: Free drive-through COVID-19 testing
More info: Make an appointment online. PCR test results take 24-48 hours.

♦ Farmers Market – Every Thursday
Shop local at this OC Farm Bureau-certified farmers market featuring produce, fresh flowers, fish, hummus, honey, hot sauce and more. Some vendors also sell hot food for lunch such as tamales and tacos/burritos.

Hours: Thursdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where on the fairgrounds: Outdoors in Lot D
How much: Free admission and parking
More info: Visit ocfarmbureau.org

♦ Heroes Hall Museum – Open Wednesday-Sunday
Visit our museum to view the latest exhibits and learn about local veterans. The museum is currently closed for exhibit installation but will reopen on Feb. 16.

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where on the fairgrounds: Heroes Hall is next to Centennial Farm
How much: Free admission and parking
More info: Visit ocfair.com/heroeshall

♦ Centennial Farm – Open daily
Visit our three-acre working farm, which features seasonal crops, farm animals and knowledgeable staff.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where on the fairgrounds: Centennial Farm is on the south side of our property
How much: Free admission and parking
More info: Visit ocfair.com/centennialfarm

Coming up in May
♦ 626 Night Market OC, May 6-8 & May 13-15
626 Night Market is back at OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California. The iconic Californian festival features 200+ food, merchandise, crafts, arts, games, music and entertainment attractions in an epic event that appeals to all ages. Come happier and hungrier together with friends and family for the biggest reunion of the summer!

When: May 6-8 and May 13-15
Hours: Friday, 4-11 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 1-11 p.m.
Where on the fairgrounds: OC Promenade, Lot G and Lot I
How much: $5 admission plus fees; free for children 3 and younger. Parking is $10. Most vendors accept cash only; ATMs are available.
More info: Visit 626 Night Market

Also in May:
♦ AAOC Trade Show & Conference, May 5
♦ March for Babies Orange County, May 7
♦ California Sneaker Convention, May 7
♦ Gem Faire, May 13-15
♦ Garden Classes, May 14 & May 21
♦ SOS Wild & Crazy Taco Night, May 19
♦ Sand Sports Super SWAP, May 21
♦ Costa Mesa Speedway, May 21
♦ Scottish Fest, May 28-29

View all events