Friday, July 17, 2020 (11:00 am)

Welcome to the 2020 Virtual OC Fair! 

Our CEO Michele Richards, along with a few of our Board members, would like to tell you all about our Virtual OC Fair.

We miss the annual OC Fair too, so over the next 10 days, we’ll be sharing videos, activities, photos and more. We know nothing can replace the real thing, but hopefully the Virtual OC Fair will bring a few smiles to your summer! 

Head over to ocfair.com/oc-fair to check it out.

Thursday, July 16, 2020 (9:58 am)

The 2020 OC Fair is going virtual! While fairgoers may not be able to hop on their favorite carnival ride or enjoy crazy Fair food in person, we are keeping the spirit of the Fair alive on social media and ocfair.com.

Starting tomorrow, July 17, several Virtual OC Fair elements will be highlighted for 10 days on social media, through July 26, with lots of fun content on ocfair.com all summer long.

Videos of your favorite performers, photo galleries of summer memories, family activities, special contests and more will bring that OC Fair connection to people no matter where they are. Even the OC Fair Fun Run 5K is going virtual and the prizes are terrific!

Virtual fairgoers can learn how to create Fair-style crafts at home, get the skinny on making deep-fried Oreos, take a tour of Centennial Farm, decipher a magic trick, get the best garden pesto recipe and more from OC Fair staff and partners. There is even a virtual dance party in the works.

Plus, there are ways to win virtual ribbons this year with contests and the public can vote on the winners starting July 17 on ocfair.com. There are 33 unique categories this year, including Doughmestic Baking, Home Landscapes, Best Hen House and photography categories like Bedhead, Empty Streets and Essential Workers.

In a twist to the virtual theme, We Care Wednesday will take place July 22 with our nonprofit partner Goodwill of Orange County. Participants can donate gently used clothing items at specific Goodwill locations instead of at the fairgrounds. Donors will receive a ticket to the 2021 OC Fair and a coupon for a free Wahoo’s taco as thanks for giving back to the community.

Through this year’s Virtual Market Livestock Show, 49 agriculture students who raised 82 animals to show at the Fair had the opportunity to be matched with buyers. Usually 4-H and FFA students can sell their animal projects at the Fair’s Junior Livestock Auction, but with that not possible this year, OC Fair staff wanted to help the students recoup costs and devised a virtual way to make that happen.

For more information on the 2020 Virtual OC Fair, visit ocfair.com or follow @ocfair on Facebook and @oc_fair on Instagram.

Tuesday, June 30, 2020 (12:23 pm)

OC Fair and Autosonic Concerts have announced a two-night summer drive-in concert experience featuring The Fab Four, a local favorite that pays tribute to The Beatles, on July 31 and Aug. 1.

Both nights will feature two one-hour showtimes – 7 and 9 p.m. The drive-in concert experience is an Autosonic Concerts production and will take place at OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa.

The live band will be set up on a stage, and two large video screens will also be available for viewing. See a map of the stage and vehicle setup at autosonicconcerts.com.

How it works:
Arrive at Gate 1 off Fair Drive. Gates will open one hour prior to show time; staff will scan guests’ mobile devices for contact-free entry.

Park. Vehicles will be positioned on a first-come, first-served basis in the general admission area. Oversized vehicles will be directed to designated areas.

Enjoy the concert from the car! Vehicles will be spaced apart to promote social distancing. Guests will tune in through their FM radio for audio sent directly from the stage. (A pre-show presentation will inform ticketholders of the station and instructions, as well as sound advisories.)

Guests are encouraged to bring their own snacks and refreshments as no concessions will be available on the fairgrounds. Restrooms will be available with social distancing protocols in place.

Masks are required for guests who choose to roll down their vehicle windows or use the restrooms.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, July 1, at autosonicconcerts.com, for $75-$150 per vehicle (up to four guests allowed per vehicle). Pricing: $150 front row, $125 premium oversized vehicle, $125 premium general admission, $100 general admission (behind video screens), $75 back row oversized vehicle.

More information about the drive-in concert experience:
Frequently asked questions
Oversized vehicles (measurements)
Buy tickets

Friday, June 26, 2020 (10:39 am)

The OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors unanimously issued a proclamation on June 25, 2020, in support of the Black Community and stands united against discrimination and committed to inclusion, diversity and equality.

Recognizing this painful time for many members of our community, the Board voted to reaffirm its commitment to denounce discrimination or violence in any form.

The following statement was approved at today’s Board of Directors meeting:

Proclamation of the Board of Directors of the 32nd District Agricultural Association

WHEREAS, the mission of the 32nd District Agricultural Association (the 32nd DAA) is the “Celebration of Orange County’s Communities, Interests and Heritage”; and

WHEREAS, the 32nd DAA is against discrimination on the basis of race, creed, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, disability, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or marital, parental or military status; and

WHEREAS, the 32nd DAA condemns the deeply troubling actions that occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which led to the inexcusable and senseless death of Mr. George Floyd; and the same troubling actions that have taken the lives of so many other Black men, women, boys and girls, even since Mr. Floyd; and

WHEREAS, the 32nd DAA stands in solidarity with those that peacefully protest against violence, inequality and excessive force; and

WHEREAS, the 32nd DAA recognizes the community is in turmoil, and looking to its leaders to affirm their commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equality; and

WHEREAS, the 32nd DAA stands with the members of our Black Community and all people of color who have been ignored, marginalized and disenfranchised;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of the 32nd District Agricultural Association hereby does proclaim on June 25, 2020, that it stands in solidarity with the Black
Community and reaffirms its commitment to denounce discrimination or violence in any form.

Friday, May 15, 2020 (7:49 am)

SACRAMENTO (May 14, 2020) – Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that Nicholas Kovacevich, 34, of Newport Beach, has been appointed to the 32nd District Agricultural Association, Orange County Fair Board of Directors.

Kovacevich has been chief executive officer of KushCo Holdings since 2014. He was chief operating officer for BigRentz Inc. from 2012 to 2014. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Kovacevich is a Democrat.

View official announcement.