Saturday, August 10, 2019 (10:45 am)

When: Saturday, Aug. 10, at 1 p.m.

Where: In front of Millennium Barn during the OC Fair

The winning couple of our Love is in the Fair wedding contest have been chosen and they’ll say “I do” in front of 20 of their guests — plus the entire OC Fair! The wedding will take place at 1 p.m. on Aug. 10 and will include the ceremony, special entertainers and an unforgettable OC Fair experience.

Meet the couple!

Names: Leslie Leong and Michael Nguyen

Professions: Leslie is a veterinary assistant/nursing student; Michael is a behavior analyst for children with autism 

How/when did you meet?

“In 2002, we met online in a music chat room, where Michael was trying to promote his high school band. We were internet friends for a long time. We didn’t meet in person until college. We lost touch for awhile but reconnected through social media and started dating four years ago.”

What do you like to do as a couple?

Camping, traveling, visiting national parks and laughing uncontrollably. 

Tell us about your engagement.

Michael: “I had several plans since January of this year, but our vacation plans kept getting cancelled for various reasons. On July 1, the day before our 4th anniversary, I decided I didn’t want to keep postponing it because it didn’t matter if we were on a mountain or by the ocean, as long as we were together. I cooked her dinner. Afterward, I let her “open her anniversary gift” early. Leslie collects rocks and crystals, so I hid the ring inside of a geode. After a short engagement, we finally got to take a short camping vacation. When we got reception, we learned we had won the contest!”

Why is the OC Fair special to the two of you?

“Our anniversary is July, so the OC Fair was one of the first public places we attended as a couple. We’ve been every year since 2015.”

What was it like trying to pull this all together in just a week? 

Michael: Vows are “til death do us part” and we managed to not kill each other. 

Leslie: It’s been stressful trying to get everything put together in a week, there’s so much to do and so many phone calls to make!

What do your friends and families think of this unusual wedding?

“Our family is more traditional so they think we’re crazy. Our friends say it’s a perfect fit.”

Thursday, August 8, 2019 (2:00 pm)

It’s official! The groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the incoming arrival of the A-4M Skyhawk happened on Thursday, Aug. 8 and featured several OC Fair, state, county, city and veterans leaders.

Former news and sports anchor Ed Arnold served as the program’s emcee.

The aircraft will move from the Santa Ana Civic Center by the end of September, and will be installed and dedicated outside Heroes Hall on Nov. 9.

The plane had been a part of Civic Center Plaza for more than a decade, but has to be moved due to construction plans.

The plane is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Fla.

Click here to see more photos from the event.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019 (9:00 am)

The OC Fair respects so much the first responders, emergency personnel, law enforcement and those who assist that we’re devoting an entire week to them!

Active-duty and professional staff of the police, sheriff, fire and emergency services departments will receive free Fair admission from Wednesday, Aug. 7 to Sunday, Aug. 11. Those will also have the opportunity to purchase up to 4 half-price general admission tickets for guests. Respective agency ID is required.

In addition, active-duty military and veterans get free admission each day of the OC Fair. Members may purchase up to 6 half-price, general admission tickets for guests. Military ID is required.

For all the latest OC Fair discounts – including carnival ride and wristband deals – visit ocfair.com/deals.

Thursday, August 1, 2019 (2:30 pm)

OC Fair & Event Center is excited to announce a groundbreaking ceremony for the relocation of a Vietnam-era A-4M Skyhawk aircraft from the Santa Ana Civic Center to Heroes Hall. The plane had been a part of Civic Center Plaza for more than a decade, but has to be moved due to construction plans.

The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8 before the OC Fair opens. Refreshments will be served immediately following the ceremony.

The aircraft is expected to be transported to OCFEC by the end of September and to be installed prior to a Veterans Day dedication ceremony in November.

The plane is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Fla.

RSVP to rsvp@ocfair.com

Note: This event will take place before the OC Fair opens. You will receive instructions for parking and entrance upon submitting your RSVP.

Heroes Hall is a free, permanent, year-round museum and education center with exhibitions, performances and educational programs that celebrate the legacy of Orange County veterans and others who have served our nation. The museum is located next to Centennial Farm on the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa and is open to the public year-round Wednesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and featured in school tours on Mondays and Tuesdays. Parking and admission for Heroes Hall is free except during the OC Fair and select year-round events.

Wednesday, July 31, 2019 (3:25 pm)

A baby calf and baby piglets were recently born at Centennial Farm during the 2019 OC Fair.

On Tuesday, July 23, a baby calf was born and currently can be seen in the Century Barn in the Centennial Farm area.

On Wednesday, July 31, a Yorkshire mix sow  gave birth to several piglets. The mother will get a day to rest and get used to the little piglets before all will be on display at Centennial Farm.