Category Archives: OC Fair & Event Center

Thursday, September 26, 2019 (5:07 pm)

The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) recognized the most outstanding examples of quality and creativity in the festivals and events industry on Sept. 25 at the IFEA’s 64th Annual Convention with the presentation of winners of the 2019 Pinnacle Awards.

Sponsored Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, the professional competition draws entries from some of the world’s top festivals and events. Winning entries came from organizations as diverse as the Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin, OH; the OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA; the Des Moines Arts Festival, Des Moines, IA; the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC; and the Philadelphia Flower Show.

Awards were handed out in 69 categories and OC Fair & Event Center won 13 awards including eight gold, four silver and one bronze. The awards were for the annual OC Fair as well as year-round events on the fairgrounds. Gold winners included Best Event Within an Event, Best TV Promotion, Best Promotional Poster and Best New Event.

Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) is The Premier Association Supporting and Enabling Festival & Event Professionals Worldwide. In partnership with global affiliates under the umbrellas of IFEA Africa, IFEA Asia, IFEA Australia, IFEA Europe, IFEA Latin America, IFEA Middle East (MENASA), and IFEA North America, the organization’s common vision is for “A Globally United Industry that Touches Lives in a Positive Way through Celebration.” The Association offers the most complete source of ideas, resources, information, education and networking for festival and event professionals worldwide.

Monday, September 16, 2019 (4:00 pm)

The Vietnam-era A-4M Skyhawk aircraft will be relocated from the Santa Ana Civic Center to Heroes Hall late on Sept. 26. The plane has been a part of Civic Center Plaza for more than a decade, but has to be moved due to construction plans.

The aircraft will be transported to OC Fair & Event Center overnight and will be lifted onto its new display pedestal which is surrounded by hardscape and seating areas. The Skyhawk will be officially unveiled at the annual Salute to Veterans event on Nov. 9.

Preparations for the move will begin at 8 p.m. as the plane is detached and removed from its current mounting and loaded for transport. The aircraft will begin its move from the Civic Center at approx. 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 26. Bragg Crane and Rigging will carry the Skyhawk north on Broadway, then down Civic Center Drive to Fairview Road, and on to the fairgrounds at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.

The California Highway Patrol will escort the plane on the approx. 15-mile journey to its new place of honor at Heroes Hall. The move is expected to be completed by 5:30 a.m. or earlier on Sept. 27.

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

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.

Saturday, July 27, 2019 (9:00 am)

To highlight the 2019 OC Fair’s agricultural theme, “Acres of Fun,” and its connection to the environment, the OC Fair went all out to bring fun and useful sustainability to the  best party of the summer. 

Some of those ways included:

• There are four agricultural-themed lounges spread throughout the fairgrounds where fairgoers can sit, relax and learn more about these California commodities: avocados, strawberries, oranges and beef. The lounges also feature recycled OC Fair banners re-purposed into cushions along with re-purposed palettes made into sofas, chairs, tables and stools. 
• In addition to the lounges, there are areas sprinkled throughout the fairgrounds that were turned into decorative vignettes using items that would have normally ended up in landfills: Old bicycles, old tires, watering cans, empty 2-liter bottles, glass jars, cabinets, denim jeans and more.
• Look up and all around to spot the festive pennants that were re-purposed from vinyl banners and signs.
• Solar- and wind-powered stations in Plaza Pacifica allow fairgoers to recharge their phones without using electricity from the power grid.
• Watch where you step because there are drought-tolerant plants found throughout the fairgrounds that use less water and require less maintenance. 
• Fairgoers are encouraged to use and re-use special OC Fair souvenir cups. After purchasing these reusable cups the first time, fairgoers can then get discounted refills at vendors. 
• In addition to reusable cups, the OC Fair is free of most plastic straws with vendors and concessionaires offering paper straws.
• The Culinary Arts area in OC Promenade has edible spoons that come in two flavors: a sweet, chocolatey variety and a savory option. 

Thursday, June 27, 2019 (11:11 am)

Effective Aug. 31, OC Fair & Event Center Director Gerardo Mouet will leave his seat at the board of directors’ table.

After serving two full appointments totaling eight years on the board, Mouet says it is time to give another member of the community an opportunity to serve.

“It has been an honor to serve on the Board with you and my fellow Board Members and (I’ve been) most proud to support our efforts to protect the fairgrounds to continue being a benefit for the public,” Mouet wrote in a letter to Board Chair Robert Ruiz.

“I am also very proud to have been a part of the Board in our efforts to cheer on our wonderful staff to be professional, accountable, and to keep being guided by our mission, to celebrate interests, agriculture and heritage for all our communities in Orange County,” Mouet wrote.

Monday, June 3, 2019 (5:26 pm)

 APOLLO 11 – The Immersive Live Show touches down in Costa Mesa for a limited engagement at OC Fair & Event Center on Thursday, October 10, with tickets on sale Sunday, June 23. Groups of 10 or more can purchase their tickets now by emailing groupsales@apollo11show.com or calling 1‐833-9MOON11. Costa Mesa is the second stop of this exciting new production’s 18‐city tour over the next three years.

As we approach the 50th anniversary of man’s first steps on the Moon, the time has come to tell one of the greatest stories in human history. Staged in the groundbreaking, purpose‐built lunar dome, Apollo 11 is a truly immersive live show performed by a full cast under 40,000 square feet of stunning 360° video projection and brought to life by world‐class theater design, a full orchestral score and life‐size rockets.

The show invites audiences to go on an epic journey to the Moon and back. The story of the 400,000 individuals it took to accomplish this mission told through the eyes of Ben, a retired NASA aerospace engineer, as he recounts those heady days to his granddaughter, Sydney. She then finds herself turning her eyes away from her smartphone and up to the sky as she dreams about the endless possibilities of space. 

This celebration of one of man’s greatest achievements takes audiences of all ages on the ride of a lifetime and inspires future generations to imagine what comes next.

Shows at OC Fair & Event Center begin Oct. 10. The length of the show’s Costa Mesa run has not yet been released. For more information, visit https://apollo11show.com/.

(11:54 am)

From The Anaheim Blog

The iconic Anaheim Packing House in downtown’s Center City is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with a jam-packed citrus themed event on Saturday, June 1.

You’ll find live entertainment, tours and giveaways, as well as citrus-themed food and drinks, pop-ups, vendors and more.

The fun kicks off at 11 a.m. with a citrus and avocado gardening class. Live entertainment follows and includes a variety of bands from rockabilly to swing throughout the afternoon and evening.

Citrus-themed vendors and pop-ups by Sunkist and OC Fair will be on hand at the adjacent Farmers Park along Anaheim Boulevard. That’s where you’ll find a community art project, citrus cocktail garden and a nighttime showing of a Packing House documentary.

Throughout the day, restaurants in the Packing House will be offering citrus-themed menu items.

The fun wraps up at 10 p.m. with additional events throughout the year for the centennial celebration.

Later this year, the Packing House and Farmers Park will host the World Taste event on Sept. 25 and the Anaheim Night Market on Dec. 14. Stay tuned for details.

For more, visit Anaheimpackingdistrict.com/100year.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019 (11:55 am)

Thanks to the graphics team at OC Fair & Event Center, the utility boxes at the corners of Harbor Boulevard and Wilson Street as well as at Fair Drive and Civic Center now have a new look!

The staff received kudos from the Costa Mesa Cultural Arts Committee for your sponsoring the city’s Utility Box Art Program! #CityoftheArts

Wednesday, April 3, 2019 (9:57 am)

APOLLO 11 – An Immersive 360° Adventure touches down for its world premiere in Los Angeles at the Rose Bowl Stadium on July 5 with the next cities confirmed including OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa and Space Center Houston in Houston, Texas.

OC Fair & Event Center dates to be announced soon!

APOLLO 11 is a ground-breaking new theater show with an original story performed by a full cast and presented in the spectacular purpose-built, one-of-a-kind Lunar Dome with a jaw-dropping 40,000 square feet of 360° video projection.

As we approach the 50th anniversary of man’s first steps on the Moon, the time has come to tell one of the greatest stories in human history. Los Angeles will be this exciting new, truly immersive, live show’s first stop of an 18-city tour over the next three years. APOLLO 11 will launch July 5th for a limited engagement, in the all-new Lunar Dome on the grounds of one of Los Angeles’ most historic landmarks, The Rose Bowl Stadium.
APOLLO 11 is written by Todd Kreidler and directed by Scott Faris and brought to you by a world-class creative team.

“This truly immersive experience takes you from the thrill of the countdown to the enormous Saturn V rocket launch and on an unforgettable journey to the Moon and back,” said director Scott Faris. “We are excited to tell this unique story to the world and thrilled to be opening in Los Angeles. It’s guaranteed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience audiences will never forget.”

APOLLO 11 was written and created to tell some of the stories behind the 1969 Moon landing and to celebrate the incredible forces that came together to make history and inspire future generations.

“This show brings back the excitement of a special time in our history. I was fortunate to be one of the 12 people to walk on the Moon,” said Charlie Duke, a former astronaut who in 1972, became the youngest person to walk on the Moon. “I was also privileged to be the Apollo 11 CapCom [Capsule Communicator] in Mission Control communicating with Neil and Buzz as they landed on the Moon. It was a historic moment for America and the world and this production captures the intensity of that time and all the incredible accomplishments leading up to that moment and beyond.”

“Going to the Moon is something in your life you will never forget and an experience like the new APOLLO 11 – An Immersive 360° Adventure really takes you right back to that time,” said Gerry Griffin, Apollo Flight Director. “It was a different era back then, and the entire world was watching and rooting for us to get to the Moon. It’s pretty incredible to think if that was today, how many people would be watching it live and in color. This show really gives you the feeling as if you were there 50 years ago.”

For more information about APOLLO 11 – An Immersive 360° Adventure visit apollo11show.com.

APOLLO 11 is produced by Nick Grace Management, SwissApollo and Mat Churchill Productions in association with UnUsUaL Entertainment and Sliding Doors Entertainment. APOLLO 11 is written by Todd Kreidler and directed by Scott Faris. Creative Producer is Anthony Van Laast. Set and Costume Design by Leslie Travers. Video Design and production by Treatment Studio. The music is composed and arranged by James Seymour Brett. Lighting Design by Bruno Poet and Sound Design by Bobby Aitken. Original concept by Lukas and Bettina Viglietti.