Friday, February 7, 2025 (9:00 am)

The next Heroes Hall exhibit, “Echoes of Conflict: Remembering Vietnam,” offers a powerful and immersive journey through one of modern history’s most complex and divisive conflicts.

Through a rich collection of artifacts, personal stories, historical facts and poignant memorabilia, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the war’s profound impact on the soldiers who fought and the broader global context.

The exhibit features items such as uniforms, weaponry, photographs and letters detailing firsthand accounts that highlight the cost of war and its lasting effects on individuals and society. This comprehensive display seeks to honor the experiences of those involved while providing historical insights into the war’s political, social and cultural repercussions.

As part of the exhibit, a speaker series featuring local veterans will highlight personal stories of war. This panel discussion with three Black Marines whose service spans from World War II to Desert Shield, will focus on their Vietnam War experiences. All three are members of the Montford Point Marines Association, which celebrates the first all-Black unit in the Marine Corps and its significant role in breaking racial barriers within the military.

The free event will take place March 1 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Heroes Hall. Participants will be 1st Sgt. Jack McDowell, Sgt. Maj. Leon Williams and Sgt. Maj. Charles Cook Jr.

1st Sgt. McDowell enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in April 1945. He served in the Pacific Theater during World War II and was a member of the Montford Point Marines. McDowell later fought in both the Korean War and Vietnam War. He retired from the military in 1971 with numerous awards, including the Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts and the Congressional Gold Medal. 

Sgt. Maj. Williams enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951. He served in both the Korean War and Vietnam War and earned two Purple Hearts and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Williams retired from the military in 1975. During his 24 years of service, he served at 20 duty stations. 

Sgt. Maj. Cook Jr. retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in January 2000 after a distinguished 30-year career. Enlisting in 1970, Cook served in Vietnam and Okinawa during the war. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. 

There will also be a special presentation by Justice Eileen Moore, former combat nurse in Vietnam. The free event is planned for March 29 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Heroes Hall.

“Lessons Learned from Vietnam Veterans” will shed light on the experiences of soldiers and those who treated them and helped them heal.

Moore was appointed to the Superior Court of California in 1989 and to the California Court of Appeal in 2000. She also practiced as a lawyer and as a registered nurse. Moore has been a tireless supporter of veterans and is a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America. She founded and chairs the Judicial Council’s Veterans and Military Families Committee, and serves on the Veterans Justice Commission, which works with Congress to improve the transition of military service members into civilian life.

Tuesday, January 28, 2025 (1:12 pm)

After more than 20 years of service at OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC), top executive Michele Richards has announced that she will retire this spring prior to the 2025 OC Fair.

She was appointed as CEO by the Board of Directors in December 2019 and led the state agency through several key projects, including shepherding the organization through the pandemic, helping lead the Board of Directors through two multi-year strategic plans, introducing a master site plan for the property, delivering five of the most successful fairs in the organization’s history, and expanding OCFEC’s free public programs through Centennial Farm, Heroes Hall, Imaginology and now The Ranch Community Center.

Richards was instrumental in the OC Fair’s adoption of a new business model, unique to the industry, that places customer satisfaction and long-term financial stability above the race for ever-increasing attendance numbers. She believes it is important to reduce crowding at the Fair, to be a good neighbor to those living nearby, to responsibly manage the organization’s resources and ensure that safety remains a top priority.

Richards will be relocating to Georgia to take on a larger role in the care of family members.

“It has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead this organization, to serve the community and to bring so much happiness through the OC Fair, Centennial Farm, Heroes Hall and the many events and festivals that take place all year long,” said Richards. “It will be so hard to say goodbye to my friends, colleagues and partners who have been so important to me, but I know that OCFEC will be in great hands with solid plans and the financial stability to successfully move forward. It is now time to focus on my family and I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to do so.”

Now leading an organization of over 250 year-round full- and part-time employees and more than 1,500 seasonal workers that help put on the highly successful annual OC Fair, Richards previously served as the organization’s Vice President of Business Development for more than seven years, leading the marketing, communications, sponsorship, creative services, events and exhibits and education departments. She was also an organizational development consultant to OCFEC for 11 years before joining the staff.

Of her many accomplishments, Richards is most proud of building what she calls “the best team in the fair industry” which she credits with going above and beyond to serve the community and create new experiences. “I’ve been so blessed to be able to lead smart and creative people, harness their ideas into reality and celebrate with them as we bring joy to so many in the community through our entertainment, educational and community support programs.”

Many changes to the OC Fairgrounds property are currently in the works following years of planning and public input including a new Master Site Plan that will make way for more educational opportunities and public access to animals and agriculture, helping to fulfill OCFEC’s mission, “Creating equitable community access to agriculture, entertainment, cultural and educational experiences.”

Another recent development is the implementation of a new vision for The Ranch Community Center. The 7.5-acre area of the fairgrounds is now operating under a new plan that provides access to horses and free or low-cost equine experiences while also setting aside space for private boarding and training. This new model opens the facility for greater public access and educational programs along with the continued boarding opportunities.

“Michele Richards has left an unforgettable mark on OC Fair & Event Center. Her leadership during challenging times, especially steering us through the global pandemic, exemplified the true essence of resilience and innovation,” said Board Chair Nick Kovacevich . “Under her guidance, OCFEC has not only weathered storms but has emerged stronger, with a business model focused on sustainability, community satisfaction and safety. As Michele steps away to dedicate her time to her family, she leaves behind an organization that is not just surviving but thriving, poised to seize new opportunities with enthusiasm. Her vision, dedication and heartfelt service have been the bedrock of our success. On behalf of the Board, our staff and the community we’ve served together, we express our profound gratitude to Michele.”

The Board has initiated a comprehensive search process to identify potential candidates for the CEO position.

Thursday, September 26, 2024 (5:30 pm)

OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) is excited to unveil the latest expansion of its community give-back programs at its reimagined equestrian center, now called The Ranch Community Center.

The Board embraced a bold new vision and operating model for the property in January, focusing on broad community access, education, accredited equine-assisted therapy and free hands-on experiences with horses. The vision for The Ranch also includes continuing the existing boarding and training of privately owned horses at the 7.5-acre facility. Staff have been working to develop key educational, community and agriculture partners for the new public programs which will begin rolling out next month.

“In service of our mission to create equitable community access to agriculture, entertainment, cultural and educational opportunities, The Ranch will open the facility to a much wider segment of the Orange County community so our programs promoting equine education and experiences with horses will be within reach for all,” said OC Fair Board Chair Nick Kovacevich.

Key initiatives include:
· Equine exhibits
· The Ranch After-School Program
· Ranch Discovery Days, school tours and hands-on equine experiences
· Accredited equine-assisted therapy programs and services
· Educational partnerships
· Small regional horse shows and clinics
· Boarding and training of privately owned horses

Operating in concert with OCFEC’s other educational venues such as Centennial Farm and Heroes Hall, The Ranch will provide free or low-cost educational opportunities and experiences to the entire community year-round. Centennial Farm is celebrating its 35^th anniversary of public service this year and welcomes The Ranch to the family of public assets.

The Ranch will debut engaging exhibits highlighting the history and heritage of horses and their contribution to California agriculture. These exhibits will feature information on horse care, breeds and types of horses, tack and equipment, horse uses, careers in horse and ranching industries, famous horses and much more.

OCFEC’s Ranch After-School Program has traditionally operated out of Centennial Farm, but will now have its new home at The Ranch. The program inspires youth from local schools to explore careers in agriculture by providing hands-on experiences with crops and animals. The public will also be able to participate in The Ranch Discovery Days where student groups, youth organizations, senior groups and community programs can engage with horses and learn about their care.

OCFEC will also be collaborating with many nonprofit and community groups to bring unique opportunities and experiences to The Ranch, including those providing licensed mental health services as well as those serving veterans and students interested in careers working with animals or agriculture. Each will work with OCFEC to create a vibrant hub of new and expanded opportunities where members of the public can learn about horses, experience their therapeutic benefits and enjoy engaging activities.

The Ranch, along with OCFEC as a whole, will continue to serve the community during emergencies, serving as a large-animal evacuation center and providing space and assistance as needed. Looking ahead, OCFEC is exploring innovative programs such as gardening for stress relief, clinics and demonstrations as well as agriculture and equine conferences.

“We look forward to inviting the community to The Ranch Community Center to explore, learn and connect with these beautiful animals,” said OC Fair & Event Center CEO Michele Richards.

Friday, May 17, 2024 (9:01 am)

The OC Fair has announced its entertainment lineup for the summer, featuring 83 performances across three venues, Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena.

Entertainment tickets are on sale now at etix.com.

Pacific Amphitheatre will kick off its summer season with five pre-Fair concerts: Cake and DakhaBrakha on July 9, Tash Sultana and Chiiild on July 10, All Time Low and The Band Camino on July 12, Los Tucanes de Tijuana and Voz de Mando on July 14, and Ziggy Marley and Lettuce on July 18.

 Then, the Toyota Summer Concert Series marks the opening weekend of the 2024 OC Fair with Chris Young and Connor Smith on July 19, ABBA LA and Bee Gees Gold on July 20 and Happy Together on July 21.

 Pacific Amphitheatre shows also include Keyshia Cole, Joe and Eric Bellinger on July 25; Sublime with Rome and Fortunate Youth on July 27 Stray Cats on Aug. 1 & 2, Walker Hayes and Kylie Morgan on Aug. 7, Chris Lane on Aug. 14, and Trevor Noah on Aug. 18.

 But the fun doesn’t stop there. Pacific Amphitheatre’s summer season includes nine post-Fair shows this year: Squeeze and Boy George on Aug. 21; NEEDTOBREATHE and JOHNNYSWIM on Aug. 22; Iration, Pepper, DENM and Artikal Sound System on Aug. 23 & 24; 311, AWOLNATION and Neon Trees on Aug. 27; Big Time Rush and Crash Adams on Aug. 30; Counting Crows and Toad The Wet Sprocket on Aug. 31; John Fogerty and Hearty Har on Sept. 3; and Bonnie Raitt and James Hunter on Sept. 14. Visit pacamp.com for the full venue lineup.

 This year’s entertainment in The Hangar includes Dead Man’s Party (Oingo Boingo/Danny Elfman tribute), Ticket To The Moon (Electric Light Orchestra tribute), 24K Magic! (Bruno Mars tribute), No Duh (No Doubt tribute), I Am King (Michael Jackson tribute) and Embajadores del Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez. See ocfair.com for the complete venue lineup.

 Action Sports Arena will launch the Fair season with OC Brew Hee Haw, a craft beer roundup with live music, on July 19 & 20. Monster Truck Nitro Tour, demolition derbies, comedy hypnotist Chris Mabrey and BMX Big Air Triples will round out the entertainment. Check out ocfair.com for the detailed venue lineup.

 Fair-time entertainment tickets include free same-day admission to the OC Fair, July 19-Aug. 18. Shows are selling out so guests are encouraged to purchase tickets now at etix.com.

 The 2024 OC Fair runs July 19 through Aug. 18 and offers 23 days and nights of entertainment, food, rides, shopping, exhibits and more. The theme is “Always A Good Time.”

 Daily Fair capacity is limited to provide a better experience for fairgoers and advance tickets are required. Visit ocfair.com/tickets to purchase now – days will sell out.

 Photos and video are available for media use at ocfair.com/media-center.

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 (1:59 pm)

OC Fair & Event Center needs employees who are looking for terrific summer jobs and a fun way to earn some income. The theme of this year’s Fair is “Always a Good Time!”

About 750 seasonal employees are needed for the 2024 OC Fair. Job postings are available at ocfair.com/jobs for people 16 and older. Hiring has begun for several positions, with some start dates closer to the 2024 OC Fair, July 19-Aug. 18.

OC Fair & Event Center will be hosting a hiring event on June 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the administration building at the corner of Arlington Drive and Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Applications are required and must be submitted before the event. On-site interviews will take place. Resumes will be accepted, but are not required. To view open positions and apply, visit ocfair.com/jobs.

Most open positions are seasonal, part-time with opportunities to build exhibits, work as a ticket taker, administrative assistant or customer service representative. Departments such as parking, security, janitorial, landscaping, maintenance and admissions are also seeking workers. There are also some year-round jobs available.

Perks include free admission to the OC Fair and the option to purchase discounted tickets for friends and family.

For more information, visit ocfair.com/jobs or contact the human resources department at 714-708-1563, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

ABOUT THE 2024 OC FAIR

“Always a Good Time” is the theme of this year’s OC Fair, July 19-Aug. 18. Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

Tickets are on sale now for Fair admission, the carnival and performances in Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena.

Again this year, the Fair will limit daily attendance and require that tickets be purchased online in advance for specific days – no fees. The Every Day Passport provides admission any day or every day of the Fair for $60 with no restrictions. Quantities are limited.

For more information, visit ocfair.com.

OC Fair photos and video are available for media use at ocfair.com/newsroom.

OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California, is home to the annual OC Fair. Year-round attractions include Centennial Farm, Table of Dignity, Heroes Hall and Pacific Amphitheatre. OC Fair & Event Center also hosts year-round events. For more information, visit ocfair.com.

Support of OC Fair & Event Center provides year-round educational opportunities and helps fund community give-back programs.

Monday, April 29, 2024 (11:09 am)

OC Fair & Event Center embarked on a momentous journey with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Administration Building expansion, phase 1 of the 10-phase Master Site Plan.

With shovels in hand, representatives from California Construction Authority, Barnhart-Reese Construction Inc. and LPA Design Studios symbolically dug into the soil, paving the way for innovative growth and enhanced capabilities.

This expansion not only promises a physical space, but a beacon of progress and possibility, amplifying the organization’s role as a hub for creativity, culture and connection.

California Construction Authority representatives
Josh Brones        Chief Operations Officer
Sean Slay          Project Manager
Tom Stevens      Project Manager
Krystal Toledo      Project Coordinator
Bren Walker        Program Manager

Barnhart-Reese Construction Inc. representatives
Chuck McArthur    Executive VP
Dave Christensen   General Superintendent
Jeff Stratton         Project Manager
Mike Rintoul         Project Engineer 

LPA Design Studios representatives
Jim Wirick
Denise Mendelssohn
Kyle Griffin
Justin Argomaniz
Nicole Fennell
Amy DiCosola
Sonaly Dudheker
Jessie Hong
Kitty Cheung
Greg Bistritz

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 (4:37 pm)

We bid a heartfelt adieu to Joan Hamill, an esteemed member of the OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) family, whose dedication and passion have illuminated our institution for the past 31 years.

Joan’s journey began in 1993 as a part-time fair staff assistant, and from that moment on, her presence has been transformative. With boundless enthusiasm and commitment, she embraced every opportunity, leaving an indelible mark on OCFEC and many who have had the pleasure of working alongside her.

What made Joan’s tenure truly remarkable was her deep connection to the organization and community. Beyond the responsibilities of her role, she fostered a sense of camaraderie and belonging that made OCFEC feel like home. Her wisdom and guidance served new and seasoned staffers, instilling in them a sense of purpose and pride in their work.

Throughout her time here, Joan contributed to many memorable moments, from Fair themes that brought joy to thousands (like “Cowabunga!” – a Fair theme involving intense collaboration that was a salute to Herefords, surfers and sand) to meaningful initiatives that touched the lives of our community’s youth. One of her fondest memories is taking Centennial Farm’s Ranch After-School Program kids to the state capital for CA Ag Day where they met CDFA’s former agriculture secretary and then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Her passion and creativity have been contagious, inspiring those who have crossed her path.

As Joan embarks on a new chapter, we extend our deepest gratitude for her 31 years of dedicated service. Her legacy will endure as a testament to the power of passion, commitment and the profound impact one individual can have on an organization.

So here’s to Joan! As she takes leave, we say goodbye with heartfelt gratitude and warm wishes for all the adventures that lie ahead for her. Though she may be departing from our daily lives, her spirit will remain a part of the OCFEC family.

Thank you for shining bright and lighting the way for others to follow in your footsteps.

Thursday, January 25, 2024 (4:05 pm)

Today the OC Fair Board voted to implement a new vision for the Fairground’s equestrian center that focuses on providing free and low-cost educational and recreational programming to serve a wider public audience.

Some of the public programming elements discussed by the Board include:

– Hands-on equine experiences for tour groups
– Equine and agricultural exhibits
– Accredited equine-assisted therapeutic activities
– Small regional horse shows open to the public
– Riding instruction by hired or contracted trainer(s)
– Emergency large animal evacuation
– Partnership with city and county mounted law enforcement units
– Boarding of privately owned horses can be offered after programs and schedules are established

At its December 2023 meeting, after hearing hours of public comment, the Board voted to cancel the process of producing a request for proposal (RFP) to identify an independent operator for the equestrian center which is used by private trainers and boarders of privately owned horses. The Board instead instructed the staff to recommend a new operating model for the equestrian center which would provide hands-on experiences with horses as well as exhibitions and events to educate and entertain the general public.

“The Board is very excited to introduce the vision for a reimagined equine center,” said Board Chair Nick Kovacevich. “It’s an opportunity for OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) to expand our agriculture-related education and recreation programs to the public, allowing all in the community to interact with and learn about horses.”

The staff will be engaging with community resources including equine experts, education resources, nonprofits, equestrian show promoters and city and county partners who will act as advisors to execute the Board’s vision.

The next steps include working in partnership with these resources to develop programming, create an execution plan, recommend an operating budget and develop a timeline for rollout. Staff will update the Board and the public monthly.

The OCFEC Equestrian Center sits on the northeast corner of the Fairgrounds and consists of about 7.5 acres currently used mostly by private businesses and boarders. OCFEC staff assumed direct management and operations at the equestrian center in January 2023 and spent the year evaluating the property and its finances. The equine center was previously managed by an outside contractor.

After reporting a projected annual loss of more than $1 million, the Board began the process to find a new operator to take over the full operation and costs of the equestrian center. The Board opted to cancel the RFP process last month and instead requested the staff to provide recommendations for a new vision and operating model, focusing on greater public benefit.

Using a similar model to Centennial Farm and Heroes Hall at OCFEC, tours, exhibits, educational programs and horse shows at the equestrian center will be aimed at providing access to equine experiences and expanding visitors’ knowledge of the importance of horses.

The equestrian center will continue to partner with the County of Orange to provide a site for large-animal evacuation in the event of emergencies.

This new vision changes the business model of the equestrian center, moving away from renting to private businesses and horse owners. The Board emphasized that this new operating model could include boarding of privately owned horses only after public programs and schedules are established.

Monday, December 11, 2023 (5:04 pm)

From Dairy Council of California, Dec. 11, 2023

Through our Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative, Dairy Council of California proudly partnered with Centennial Farm to enhance its educational programming with the support of an awarded $5,000 Let’s Eat Healthy Community Grant. Centennial Farm, located at the Orange County Fair and Event Center, focuses on youth agricultural education and offers a variety of community programs, providing experiential learning to emphasize the importance of agriculture and the connection between the food system and nutrition.   

Educating children, families and the community around where food comes from and the hard work that goes into producing and sourcing food through sustainable farming practices is a core value at Centennial Farm and Dairy Council of California. Through the process of collaboration and co-creation, Centennial Farm updated its dairy resources to enhance knowledge on the health benefits of milk and dairy foods; position milk, yogurt and cheese as daily food choices in healthy, sustainable eating patterns; and increase agricultural literacy in children and families through the following:  

1) Docent Trainings: Approximately 52 docents received professional development highlighting the health benefits of milk and dairy foods and educational resources to support their delivery of farm field trips. The docents incorporated the training information into their tours for elementary school students, teachers and parents. 97% of classroom educators who completed the tour survey reported that their docent highlighted dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. and shared some nutritional benefits of each. 

2) Ranch Afterschool Program: Centennial Farm piloted a week dedicated to teaching about the health benefits of milk and dairy foods in its Ranch Afterschool program, focusing on 4th and 5th grade students. During the week, two episodes of our Let’s Eat Healthy Together, a Telly Award-winning broadcast series, were shown to enhance nutrition education. Students learned about the importance of nutrients and made a nutrient-rich smoothie that was highlighted in an episode. At the conclusion of the program, 85% of students reported that they believe it is important to eat dairy foods every day. 

3) Imaginology Weekend: Recently, the Orange County Fair and Event Center hosted its Imaginology event with a record 22,642 people in attendance, a 54% increase from the previous year. Centennial Farm was a popular stop, where farm activities included highlighting Dairy Council of California’s nutrition education resources. Our Mobile Dairy Classroom instructor, Elizabeth Miller, demonstrated how to milk a cow. Afterward, she observed how the students really enjoyed looking at Dairy Council of California’s nutrition education resources.     

Read the entire article: https://www.healthyeating.org/blog/detail/enhancing-dairy-ag-literacy-for-the-orange-county-community

Thursday, November 9, 2023 (11:58 am)

COSTA MESA (Nov. 8, 2023) – The OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors has named Nick Kovacevich as Chair and Barbara Bagneris as Vice Chair.

Kovacevich, who previously served as Vice Chair, replaces Newton Pham as Chair. The Board voted in new leadership at its Oct. 26 meeting.

Kovacevich is the former CEO of Greenlane Holdings, Inc., a leading provider of ancillary cannabis products and accessories. He is an entrepreneur who co-founded several successful businesses including KushCo Holdings, which merged with Greenlane in 2021, and BigRentz, an Irvine-based technology company. Kovacevich is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University where he captained the men’s NCAA II basketball team. He is a resident of Newport Beach and was appointed to the Board in 2020.

“It has been a great experience serving on the OC Fair Board and I am excited about the opportunity to lead us for the next year, working with my colleagues and the community,” said Kovacevich. “We are in terrific financial shape as we head into the 2024 OC Fair season and our Master Site Plan work has begun. This is truly an exciting time for OC Fair & Event Center.”

Bagneris has been a principal financial analyst at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems since 2010. She was a senior financial controls analyst at L-3 Interstate Electronics Corporation from 2008 to 2010 and held multiple positions at the Boeing Company from 1980 to 2008, including business analyst and program financial controls analyst. Bagneris is past president of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Orange County (CA) Alumnae Chapter. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix, Fountain Valley. Bagneris has served on the Board since 2014 and resides in Orange.

Exiting Chair Pham will continue to serve on the Board of Directors, as he has since 2016.

Two new members have recently joined the Board. Tanya Bilezikjian and Dimetria Jackson were appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September.

Bilezikjian, of Anaheim, has been chief of staff and vice president at MNS Engineers Inc. since 2023. She held several positions at Michael Baker International from 2005 to 2023, including vice president and civil engineer. She was a staff engineer at Environmental Engineering and Contracting in 2004. She was a water resources control engineer for the San Diego and Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Boards from 2001 to 2003.

Jackson, of Irvine, has been a broker associate for eXp Realty of California since 2021 and principal at the Law Offices of Dimetria Jackson since 2018. She was a contract attorney for Lexolution from 2019 to 2021. Jackson held several positions at Nano Financial Holdings-Nano Banc EVP from 2017 to 2018, including general counsel, corporate secretary and chief compliance officer. She was a freelance attorney for Montage Legal Group from 2011 to 2012 and 2016 to 2019.

Board officers typically serve one-year terms and are nominated for office by a committee of fellow Board members. Board members are appointed by the Governor of California and may serve more than one term.