Category Archives: Community programs

Wednesday, May 31, 2017 (4:42 pm)

There’s a lot of fun to be had at the 2017 OC Fair. We’ll have tons of games, entertainment and delicious treats. But don’t worry, parents – there will be amazing learning opportunities too.

One such opportunity is the Read & Ride program. Perfect for bookworms – or kids who need a little extra motivation to pick up a book – the program is simple: read two books and get three free carnival rides!

How to participate in Read & Ride:

1. Read two books.
2. Write a brief summary (approximately 25 words) of each book.
3. Bring the completed form to Centennial Farm’s information booth.
4. Ride three carnival rides!

The Read & Ride program is open to children ages 5 to 11. Five-year-olds may draw pictures instead of writing a summary. Completed forms must be signed by a parent or teacher, and children must be present to redeem the form for ride tickets. Only one form per child per day; a maximum of two forms may be submitted during the run of the 2017 OC Fair.

Get the official Read & Ride form, and start reading!

Friday, May 5, 2017 (3:45 pm)

Imaginology judge is a community arts leader

Trinh Mai is not just a judge for Imaginology, she’s also an arts advocate, educator and community leader.

Through Cal State Fullerton’s Grand Central Art Center (GCAC) program, which helps bring art to low-income communities, Mai works with Heninger Village Senior Apartments in Santa Ana to help facilitate workshops that focus on sharing residents’ stories through visual arts.

The goal of the workshops is to help residents to not just create art, but to help heal them as well. 

“My aim has been to help them get involved outside of their environment, since the elders are often isolated,” Mai said.

Since starting in February 2016, Mai has been able to get her students’ work displayed at the Bowers Museum, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Grand Central Art Center and, most recently, Coastline Gallery in Newport Beach. 

Through Community Engagement, a nonprofit that is funding Mai’s residency, GCAC also provides artists-in-residents with housing, studio space and support.

Mai was also a featured artist in The Artist Odyssey’s award winning documentary Honoring Life: The Work of Trinh Mai. The film went on to be the Audience Choice Award winner for Best Short Film at the 2016 Viet Film Festival in Orange.

With the help of Mai’s influence, some of the “Villagers” have started taking life drawing lessons at Q Salon in Santa Ana. Even some of their family members have taken inspiration from Mai.

Parker Cupa, 8, is the son of one of the villagers, and he had a painting on display at Imaginology.

“It’s amazing how they’ve been growing and are now so excited about getting involved in the art scene,” Mai said.

Imaginology is an annual educational and entertainment event focusing on activities related to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math held at OC Fair & Event Center.

Visit ocfair.com/steam for more information.

Monday, May 1, 2017 (3:44 pm)

New Program Gives Underserved Kids a Trip To The Fair

We’re launching a great new community giveback program at this year’s fair: OC Fair Kids Club. In its first year, the goal is to provide a free fair experience and bus transportation for 1,000 underserved children. The young fairgoers from local Title 1 afterschool and summer programs will also receive carnival coupons and a gift card for food and beverages.

“We are so excited to offer this program to help young people who would normally not be able to afford a trip to the fair,” said OC Fair & Event Center CEO Kathy Kramer. “Wewant to help these children enjoy the best event of the summer and can’t wait to provide them with a memorable fair experience.”

OC Fair Kids Club joins service programs that include We Care Wednesdays, serving local nonprofits, and Friends of the Fair, a special annual event for disabled fairgoers. These initiatives were winners of the Western Fair Association’s Merrill Award for industry excellence in 2016.

For more information about these community programs, or to submit an application for your Title 1 program (minimum 50 participants, maximum of 70 including chaperones) to be a part of OC Kids Club, contact ocfinfo@ocfair.com.