Monday, April 23, 2018 (3:07 pm)

This Thursday the OC Fair & Event Center’s board of directors will review a draft of a new master site plan concept and the public is invited to share comments and ideas.

Johnson Consulting will present the latest draft version of a new roadmap for the future of the fairgrounds, home to the annual OC Fair and some 150 events throughout the year. Public comment on the master site plan draft concept will take place following the presentation.

The meeting is Thursday, April 26, at the OCFEC administration building, 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and the draft master site plan is the main item on the agenda. The agenda and supporting documents can be viewed here: https://ocfair.com/publicmeetings/board-directors-meeting-april-26-2018/

Public comment on the master site plan is always accepted online at www.ocfair.com/public-information/master-plan/. A May public meeting will be set in the evening to review the next version of the plan.

Posted in: Master Site Plan, OC Fair & Event Center

Wednesday, March 7, 2018 (11:51 am)

There is a lot of work that goes into putting on the annual OC Fair, and hiring is now under way to fill about 1,500 seasonal positions. 

Jobs include everything from selling carnival tickets, parking cars and building exhibits to working as an accounting clerk, mechanic or audio assistant.

“We are looking for smiling, enthusiastic people to help our guests make wonderful memories,” said OC Fair & Event Center CEO Kathy Kramer. “We have the best summer jobs ever – and there are terrific perks. These are perfect positions for educators, students and anyone who wants to have a great time while earning a paycheck.”

There are also a handful of year-round civil service jobs available, including a Community Engagement Director and a Heroes Hall Supervisor. Most positions that are currently open fall into the seasonal part-time category with opportunities available for department leads and specialists. 

With only about 150 year-round employees, the OC Fair & Event Center staff works hard to gear up for the busy summer season. Most seasonal jobs have been posted at ocfair.com/jobs and positions are available for people 16 and older. Hiring has begun for key jobs, with other start dates staggered toward the OC Fair, July 13-Aug. 12.

There are jobs available for those who have always wanted to be a costumed character, sign language interpreter, data analyst, auto mechanic, dispatcher, lighting technician, farm attendant or a safety and security representative. 

Perks include free admission to the OC Fair, the option to purchase up to 20 Fair tickets for $1 each for friends and family and the opportunity to win a Fair employee scholarship.

For more information and to apply online, visit ocfair.com/jobs or contact the OCFEC Human Resources Department at 714-708-1563, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Posted in: Latest news about the fairgrounds, OC Fair & Event Center

Wednesday, February 28, 2018 (11:45 am)

COSTA MESA (Feb. 28, 2018) – A new cutting-edge cooking academy has opened at OC Fair & Event Center to empower underserved youth through free culinary education and mentorship. A commercial kitchen on the fairgrounds has been transformed into Hatch Culinary Lab.

The new education program is a partnership between OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC), CulinaryLab Cooking School, Anaheim’s Innovative Mentorship Experience program (AIME) and Spectra, the Fair’s master concessionaire.

OCFEC has invested an initial $54,000 in equivalent value in this community program that this year will provide up to 50 students with training in everything from knife skills, cookery basics and making healthy meals to safety and sanitation. The spring session started Feb. 28 with the first 20 students from Kennedy, Savanna and Western high schools working for eight weeks. A summer internship program and fall certification series will follow, culminating in an event to feed the local homeless community.

“We have an opportunity to change the lives of students through Hatch Culinary Lab and it is important for us to step in to help,” said OCFEC CEO Kathy Kramer. “Here at the OC Fair we love food, so this program is close to our hearts and ties in perfectly with our community give-back mission. I look forward to growing this program to include training for both kitchen staff and front-of-the-house positions.”

The team from CulinaryLab in Tustin is donating staff and time to the program and has created new curriculum tailored to provide students with the basics on how food works, healthy cooking skills and simple recipes they can practice at home with minimal cost and prep time. The goal is to excite students about cooking and food service and empower them to be confident individuals ready to secure employment.

“At CulinaryLab, we do everything we can to immerse students in the world of cooking with experimentation, tons of repetitive hands-on practice, and by involving local chef partners in the teaching process,” said Chef Ryan Wagner. “The goal of the Hatch program is to bring that same high-level culinary education to high school students who might otherwise not have access to it.”

The OCFEC commercial kitchen has been revamped from a solely commercial facility to a fully equipped teaching kitchen with additional cooking stations, appliances, storage, tables and cookware. The approx. 6,500 sq. ft. facility is operated by Spectra and manager Juan Quintero says the company will also donate kitchen labor, such as dishwashers, to support the program.

“The Spectra team is excited to be part of this community education program. This is really a win-win situation for us,” said Quintero. “Not only do we get to work with the student chefs and see their transformation, but we want to hire program graduates to work at the OC Fair doing kitchen prep and cooking for special events.”

Students from Anaheim Unified School District’s AIME program have been selected to participate in the first Hatch Culinary Lab sessions. More than 70 percent of AIME students come from economically challenged backgrounds and spend their time outside of school assisting their families, either at home or by working. The program will provide transportation and additional supervision for Hatch students.

There are plans for the program to expand through partnerships with Costa Mesa and Santa Ana school districts to serve up to 80 students annually. Wagner estimated that students will gain up to $20,000 worth of culinary education through the Hatch program and he is seeking to secure restaurant partners to help further students’ training.

About CulinaryLab Cooking School
CulinaryLab is a forward-focused cooking school where timeless techniques meet cutting-edge curriculum and real-world training to cook up bold, contemporary cuisine. CulinaryLab seeks to reinvent culinary training with programs that harnesses the power of today’s innovations to train tomorrow’s culinary arts and management visionaries. CulinaryLab is the first school of its kind that combines community-built curriculum, tech-savvy training, hands-on learning and a 1,000-hour apprenticeship in high level local restaurants.

CulinaryLab’s Chef Ryan Wagner is a Certified Executive Chef with 23 years of food and beverage experience, including running restaurant kitchens, high-profile event catering and various leadership roles in culinary education.

More at https://www.culinarylabschool.com/

About AIME
AIME’s mission is to partner with businesses and community organizations to provide students in the Anaheim Union High School District with mentoring experiences that will enhance their college, career, and life-readiness skills, as well as build lasting connections within the community.​​ AIME, a comprehensive mentorship program that also includes opportunities for paid summer internships, holds the promise of transforming the lives of our students as they prepare for the demands of college and career and make connections in the community.

More at http://anaheimhs.org/Anaheim/72681-AIME-Internship.html

About Spectra
Spectra by Comcast Spectacor is an industry leader in hosting and entertainment, partnering with clients to create memorable experiences for millions of visitors every year. Spectra’s unmatched blend of integrated services delivers incremental value for clients through several primary areas of expertise: Venue Management, Food Services & Hospitality, and Partnerships.

More at http://www.spectraexperiences.com/

About OC Fair & Event Center
OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa is home to the annual OC Fair. Year-round attractions include Centennial Farm, Table of Dignity, Heroes Hall and Pacific Amphitheatre. Throughout the year events ranging from recreation shows to cultural festivals are held at the fairgrounds.

Posted in: Community Programs

Friday, February 16, 2018 (4:35 pm)

At a public workshop held during the Sept. 28, 2017, OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors meeting, three Master Site Plan Concepts were presented, and the Board provided feedback and direction to the MSP committee and staff.

The committee and staff were asked to review all elements of the plan and determine what was not feasible and what would require improvements or changes. There were also questions that the committee and staff were asked to answer.

The MSP committee, consultants and staff have been working to prepare a revised draft concept for the board to review at a public workshop during the April 26, 2018, Board of Directors meeting.

The board will be providing direction on the MSP concept. Once the concept has been approved by the Board of Directors, OCFEC will be hosting a public meeting to share the final MSP concept.

The staff has also been instructed by the committee to write and release a request for proposal (RFP) for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) consultant that will take the approved draft concept forward through this process.

OC Fair & Event Center continues to seek public input on the Master Site Plan, our roadmap for the future. To submit feedback, please fill out the public input form. For more information, read the Master Site Plan FAQ.

Posted in: Master Site Plan

Tuesday, February 6, 2018 (10:00 am)

Here is an update on the Arlington Drive Improvement Project, from the City of Costa Mesa:

Public Services is well underway with the Arlington Drive Improvements Project.  The project is about 33% complete and the main storm drain and all storm drain laterals are completed. 

The new vegetated bioswale is currently being graded and the new southerly curb will be installed by Feb. 9. Additionally, restricted traffic control measures are currently in place, but vehicular access eastbound past the Davis Magnet School will be restored by Feb. 16.

Finally, a new concrete multipurpose trail along the south side of Arlington Drive and roadside beautification including new landscaping and water efficient irrigation systems will be constructed by June 2018.

For more of the latest news on Costa Mesa, read this week’s City Hall Snapshot.

Posted in: Latest about the fairgrounds

Friday, December 15, 2017 (1:26 pm)

For the next 10 years, Cirque du Soleil will raise the Big Top of its touring productions at OC Fair & Event Center for its Orange County engagements.

There are five shows slated through 2028, the first being LUZIA, which will be performing from Feb. 21 through March 18, 2018. Tickets are now on sale at www.cirquedusoleil.com/luzia.

Cirque du Soleil and OC Fair & Event Center formalized the 10-year contract at today’s Board of Directors meeting. The Montreal-based theatrical company was last at the Fairgrounds in 2015 with KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities.

“This partnership with Cirque du Soleil gives us an amazing opportunity to bring spectacular shows to Orange County through 2028,” said Kathy Kramer, OC Fair & Event Center CEO. “We are fortunate to have the ideal space, plenty of parking and a wonderful audience that appreciates entertainment of this caliber.”

The iconic tent will be erected in the eastern portion of the Fairgrounds. This is the fifth time that Cirque du Soleil touring shows have been held at OC Fair & Event Center; each of those productions was part of an individual, single-year contract.

“The OC Fair & Event Center is an outstanding site for our Big Top touring shows as it is well-known and perfectly located in Orange County,” said Jörg Schlegel, director of tour development at Cirque du Soleil.

View video of LUZIA at https://youtu.be/anIIJ6JumZI.

Posted in: Entertainment, OC Fair & Event Center

Wednesday, November 15, 2017 (3:44 pm)

Arlington Drive Improvement Project 

A: The City of Costa Mesa Public Works Department is putting in a new storm drain system and improvements to the roadway and the land on the south side of Arlington Drive.

A: Yes. There will be a concrete multipurpose trail and new landscaping, including a new bio swale.

A: It is a system that removes silt and debris from runoff water using drainage inlets and vegetation. This keeps water from heavy rains from overburdening storm drains.

A: It will run from Fairview Road to Newport Boulevard and the bio swale runs from gate 7 at the fairgrounds to Newport Boulevard.

A: The trail will be open to the public and can be used for walking and biking.

A: Yes. There will be new landscaping, including trees next to the Fairgrounds perimeter, between the trail and the bio swale and next to the street.

A: Yes.

A: Construction is anticipated to be completed in March 2018. The OC Fair opens July 13.

A: According to the city, the current bio swale and roadway conditions had deteriorated and the drainage systems were not handling the capacity needed to keep the area properly drained.

A: This is a City of Costa Mesa project. The Orange County Water District has completed the work to relocate its main distribution line. The City of Costa Mesa has contracted with Sully-Miller Contracting and Kabarra Engineering to do the rest of the work on the project including the new underground storm drain, trail, road improvements and landscaping.

(10:44 am)

The OC Fair Visual Arts Competition receives about 6,000 entries each year submitted by artists from Orange County and throughout Southern California. Types of art include woodworking, painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography and graphic arts.

The OC Fair is often the first exhibition experience for an artist. The thrill of being selected for exhibition and then winning an award nurtures, encourages and inspires artists, instilling confidence in their creativity.

Each year, the OC Fair purchases a few of the exhibited entries to add to the permanent collection. There are more than 150 pieces of artwork in the collection dating back to the 1970s. The collection focuses on the traditions, people, life and beautiful landscapes of our region, state and country. Most of the artists in the collection are Orange County residents.

The exhibit will be on display at the Fullerton Arboretum’s Orange County Agricultural and Nikkei Heritage Museum through Dec. 3, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, noon-4 p.m. For more information, visit fullertonarboretum.org.

To enter artwork for the 2018 Fair, go to  ocfair.com/competitions to find details in the OC Fair Visual Arts Competition Guide that will be available in April. 

Tuesday, November 14, 2017 (1:44 pm)

Meet Jan Tubbiola, a 50-year OC Fair employee!

“Where are the restrooms?”

That’s the most commonly asked question at the OC Fair – at least according to Janice Tubbiola.

And she should know. She’s been working at the Fair since 1967, when she began as an assistant supervisor in the 4-H building – and before that she was a volunteer clerk. For the past few years she has worked in the information booths at the OC Fair.

“I decided to work in the information booth because I figured if I didn’t know about something, then nobody did,” Tubbiola said.

With 50 years under her belt, she’s probably right, but at 82, she admits she’s also forgetting a few things – specifically timelines. She jokes about not always being able to remember if a certain event was last year or 10 years ago.

“We call her Miss Information,” said her youngest of five children, Mark Tubbiola. He teasingly said it could go both ways – misinformation from Miss Information.

Still, while she may not remember exactly when something happened, she sure does have a lot of stories about what has happened at the OC Fair. Her memories are made even more meaningful by the fact that Mark and his siblings have all worked at the Fair in some capacity as well, and now one of her 12 grandchildren – Nik Kieler – is on the Fair staff.

Tubbiola remembers one of her sons working in maintenance years ago, when he sprayed a pair of his tennis shoes silver and then nailed them to a tree. Every time she walked by the tree, which was near Baja Blues, she would chuckle at the sight, until eventually someone finally took the shoes down. Tubbiola and her family made their mark on the OC Fair – both literally and figuratively.

“All their elementary school friends come and see me in the booth,” Tubbiola said.

She also has fond memories of how the Fairgrounds used to look, like when the Main Mall had grass in the middle, and the appearance of the old floral building, especially when a former boss got married inside. But she said she likes the new look of Pacific Amphitheatre, and she loves Heroes Hall.

During the 2017 OC Fair, a young man approached her booth and asked questions about Heroes Hall. She pointed to the various groups that had been stationed outside the veterans museum and mentioned recruiting. The young man was intrigued, and Tubbiola said he ended up walking straight over to the recruitment booth. She doesn’t know for sure if he enlisted, but she seemed proud to have sent him off toward a possible career in the military.

“All of her roles here have been working with the public because she loves the interaction,” said Kieler, who works at Centennial Farm. “I think she really likes the ‘fair family’ vibe, and that we all work together to put on an event for the community.”

One of Tubbiola’s favorite things about the OC Fair is the Read and Ride program offered to kids. She said she hears from parents about how great it is to get their children to read during the summer, and she enjoys seeing the looks on the kids’ faces when they are handed their prize – three free carnival rides – after turning in their book form.

After all these years, Tubbiola still lights up when she talks about the OC Fair. She likes to interact with people and enjoys being part of the staff.

And even if she isn’t on the payroll anymore, she still plans to come back every year. In fact, she’s already made a request to CEO Kathy Kramer about being issued a lifetime Super Pass.

“I think I’ve earned that,” Tubbiola said.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017 (1:35 pm)

Kathy Kramer, CEO of OC Fair & Event Center, was proud to take the stage at Samueli Theater on Oct. 17 to help honor the best, brightest and most generous members of the Orange County arts community.

Kramer joined Rick Stein, CEO of Arts Orange County, to recognize recipients of the 18th Annual OC Arts Awards, including Charlie and Ling Zhang, art patrons of the year; performer James Luna; choreographer Molly Lynch; Casa Romantica; impresario Kevin Staniec; and the musical ensemble Trio Celeste.

For more information on the OC Arts Awards, visit artsoc.org.

Kramer shared the following information with attendees and honorees at the awards ceremony:

OCFEC has been serving our community for 127 years. The arts play an important role in what we do all year long:
• We recently opened a new museum, Heroes Hall, dedicated to telling the stories of veterans.
• We just dedicated a new large-scale work of public art, Table of Dignity, honoring the important contributions of Orange County’s agricultural workers.
• We are also proud of our educational and community service work including Imaginology, our free STEAM education event, and Centennial Farm, where thousands of school children learn where their food comes from.
• In all, OC Fair & Event Center welcomes more than 3 million guests annually and hosts over 150 events each year – many of them cultural celebrations such as Tet Festival, Scottish Fest and Japan Fair. And we are excited to announce that Cirque du Soleil is making OC Fair & Event Center its Orange County home for the next 10 years.
• Of course, our annual competitions for professional, amateur and student artists have long been part of the OC Fair, as has been presenting world-class musical acts in our Pacific Amphitheatre.
• We delighted with our new partnership with Pacific Symphony in hosting its summer concert series in Pacific Amphitheatre. And are thrilled to work with Arts Orange County on a number of projects.

OC Fair & Event Center is very proud to be part of Orange County’s family of arts & culture organizations. We look forward to continuing to grow our engagement with the creative community for many years to come.