Wednesday, March 18, 2026 (2:44 pm)

COSTA MESA (March 18, 2026) – OC Fair & Event Center continues to expand its public programs at The Ranch Community Center, offering free educational open houses and community events that showcase equine programs, agricultural education and partnerships with local organizations and nonprofits.

The first of six horse shows slated for 2026 will take place this Saturday and Sunday, March 21-22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 30 horses and 30 riders are set to participate in the show brought in by Stiegler Productions with a goal of reviving the tradition of horse shows in Orange County that create an affordable, welcoming and exciting experience for riders to grow, learn and confidently step up to A-rated shows. Admission and parking are free.

“These public offerings demonstrate our commitment to bringing together equine professionals, educators and community partners to share knowledge about horse care, training and the role of horses in Orange County’s agricultural heritage,” said OC Fair Board Chair Barbara Bagneris. “This is a key part of our mission: Enhancing equitable community access to agriculture, entertainment, cultural and educational experiences.” 

Located on approximately seven acres, The Ranch Community Center is a year-round public space that maintains the fairgrounds’ agricultural traditions through community engagement, youth education and animal-related programs. This represents an evolution of the former equestrian center into a broader educational and community engagement hub while maintaining the fairgrounds’ equestrian heritage.

Since launching the expanded programming, The Ranch has already reached thousands of participants through tours, events and educational programs, including:

• The Ranch Discovery Days and community open houses
• The Ranch After-School Program for local youth
• Equine education exhibits and demonstrations
• Agricultural workshops and hands-on experiences with rabbits, chickens and other farm animals

A key partner is Walk Intuit, a nonprofit mental health organization providing equine-assisted therapy programs and community wellness events, including Healing with Horses, Ponies and Paint, The Chicken Playhouse and kids’ horsemanship. Walk Intuit has nine horses at The Ranch Community Center and provided 260 client sessions free or on a sliding-fee scale in January.

A selection of Knott’s Berry Farm’s vintage horse-drawn carriages are on display in exhibits that engage and educate visitors about the history of horses in Orange County, as well as equine care and history.

Other partnering organizations include O.C. Sheriff’s Mounted Unit, California Guard, Platt College’s school of Veterinary Technology, UCCE Master Gardeners, Hapa Honey Farms, Tanaka Farms, OC Animal Care, 4-H and more. These partnerships help expand opportunities for the public to interact with horses, learn about agriculture and explore careers related to animal care and equine industries.

The Ranch Community Center is designed to operate similarly to other educational venues at the fairgrounds, including Centennial Farm and Heroes Hall, which provide free and low-cost year-round programming for the public.

“The Ranch is about opening the gates to the community,” said OC Fair & Event Center’s Chief Business Development officer Michele Capps. “Our goal is to preserve the fairgrounds’ equestrian heritage while expanding educational access for families, schools and agricultural partners.”

The next Discovery Day at The Ranch Community Center is set for May 13

and is full, with 800 reservations and 80 people on the waiting list.

For more information, visit ocfair.com/theranch.

Monday, March 16, 2026 (9:17 am)

Michael Searle has been chosen as OC Fair & Event Center’s new Chief Operating Officer to lead fair production, security, event operations, facility operations, planning & production and food & beverage departments. Searle started in his new role this month.

Searle brings more than three decades of leadership experience in the fair and event industry, with expertise in operations, strategic planning and infrastructure development. Throughout his career, he has focused on building strong, collaborative teams and fostering a culture of accountability, innovation and shared purpose.

Most recently, he served as Deputy Director of the Arizona State Fair, where he helped lead significant operational and financial advancements. During his tenure, he oversaw major capital improvements, implemented site redesign initiatives that enhanced guest flow and expanded family seating, launched the popular Backyard concert venue and introduced innovative concepts to expand year-round facility usage. He also strengthened financial reserves while securing increased state appropriations to support long-term sustainability.

Searle entered the fair industry in 1988 with Snuffy’s Magical Clown Review, developing firsthand expertise in event production and guest engagement that would underpin his leadership in large-scale operations. In 2000, he co-founded Fair Executives Company, providing management and production services to fairs throughout the western United States and supporting strategic growth across multiple events.

A respected industry leader, Searle has served in executive and board roles with the Arizona Fairs Association and Western Fairs Association, and on committees within the International Association of Fairs and Expositions. He was inducted into the Arizona Fairs Association Hall of Fame and has been recognized as Fair Manager of the Year for his contributions to advancing the fair industry. Searle was appointed to serve on the Arizona Tourism Council in an effort to share his talents and knowledge with the state.

His leadership combines operational discipline with forward-thinking strategy, grounded in the belief that strong community involvement is essential to the long-term vitality of public event venues, strengthening organizations while preserving the agricultural and community traditions at the heart of the fair experience.

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 (3:24 pm)

Get ready for two high-energy days where imagination takes the lead and learning feels like play. Imaginology returns Saturday and Sunday, April 11–12, transforming OC Fair & Event Center into an interactive playground of science, technology, engineering, arts, agriculture and math.

Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, this free family event welcomes kids of all ages to build, experiment, observe and explore together. In 2025, nearly 20,000 guests attended — and even more are expected in 2026 as excitement continues to grow.

Where STEAM comes to life

Imaginology is built on a simple but powerful philosophy: learning should feel like real life. Every exhibitor will offer a hands-on activity rooted in STEAM, empowering youth to explore skills that directly connect to future careers.

Across the fairgrounds, visitors will discover:

Wild Science adventures

Step into an immersive world of discovery featuring dozens of visually captivating, highly interactive displays. Guests can experiment with a plasma lightning tube, step inside a giant bubble, test their sense of smell, explore a Rube Goldberg machine, create music, challenge hand-eye coordination and design inventions in a maker’s fair-style space. It’s science you can see, hear and feel.

Centennial Farm experiences

The three-acre working farm will be buzzing with activity. Visitors can meet animals, learn about California crops and watch live demonstrations including oxen showcases, blacksmithing, chick education, radish-seed planting, milking demos, root digging, shearing and spinning, terrarium-making and the popular OC Beekeepers exhibit. It’s agriculture in action — up close and hands-on.

Obstacle course challenge at Heroes Hall

On the Sky Hawk lawn at Heroes Hall, kids can race, climb and jump through an inflatable obstacle course designed to test strength and agility. It’s the perfect way to mix physical activity with playful competition – and science!

Youth competitions take center stage

Imaginology 2026 features four free student competitions for preschool through 12th grade – competitions are now open:

• New! Upcycling Project – Turn discarded materials into something innovative and useful.
• Mural Project – Collaborate on large-scale artwork that comes together in a powerful final display.
• Cardboard Engineering – Dream big using one of the most versatile building materials around.
• Poster Art – Showcase creativity by blending science, technology, engineering, arts and math into a visual masterpiece.

In addition, local 4-H and FFA youth will be judged on livestock projects, animal and veterinary science knowledge, and educational exhibits. Llama and rabbit competitions will add to the agriculture excitement. More at ocfair.com/imaginology/competitions-contests.

Exhibits and entertainment for all ages

Live community entertainment will keep the energy high throughout the weekend. New this year, Sunday will feature lively rounds of bingo as part of the entertainment lineup. And Megan the Bubbleologist will wow audiences on the Plaza Stage with dazzling bubble artistry.

Exhibit spaces throughout the fairgrounds will feature nonprofit organizations, community groups and educational programs offering interactive demonstrations and creative activities. From arts organizations and robotics programs to nature centers and public safety demonstrations, every corner of Imaginology offers something new to discover.

A community tradition of discovery

Produced by OC Fair staff as a community give-back, Imaginology debuted in 1989 as Youth Expo before being renamed in 2014 to reflect its expanded STEAM focus. Today, it stands as one of the largest free family STEAM festivals in the region — a place where curiosity is celebrated and creativity shines.

Whether attendees are designing inventions, planting seeds, engineering with cardboard or cheering on young competitors, Imaginology is where ideas take flight.

For full details and updates, visit ocfair.com/imaginology.

Event at a glance

Dates: April 11–12
Hours: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Admission: Free
Parking: $15
Location: 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Public Info: 714-708-1500 | ocfair.com/imaginology | ocfinfo@ocfair.com

Follow the fun using #Imaginology and connect with OC Fair, Centennial Farm and Heroes Hall on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for updates and sneak peeks.