Category Archives: OC Fair & Event Center
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Thursday, June 10, 2021 (3:16 pm)
Fair Board pays tribute to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
During May’s OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors meeting, members representing the Community Affairs Committee paid tribute to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
The presentation highlighted the contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to Orange County’s communities, education and heritage, and to agriculture throughout California.
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Thursday, April 29, 2021 (9:27 am)
Take a quick survey to help OC Fair & Event Center
Community input is important to us. Please take this short survey to assist OC Fair & Event Center.
The survey expires May 6. Thank you in advance for your feedback!
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Thursday, April 8, 2021 (1:01 pm)
FAQs about the 2021 OC Fair
The theme of this year’s OC Fair is “Time For Fun,” and we can’t wait to celebrate this summer from July 16 through Aug. 15.
When will tickets for the OC Fair go on sale?
Tickets are on sale now at ocfair.com/oc-fair/buy-tickets. The 2021 OC Fair will be July 16-Aug. 15, open Wednesdays-Sundays.
Do I have to purchase my tickets in advance?
Yes. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster; you will be able to select a date between July 16 and Aug. 15 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Advance online ticket sales will help ensure we stay within our capacity limits. Bonus: no transaction fees for Fair admission tickets!
What if I buy tickets for the wrong day?
Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster and are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please select your ticket date carefully before purchasing.
Will tickets be available at the gate?
No. We cannot guarantee tickets will be available for purchase at the gate during the run of the OC Fair. Please purchase your tickets online in advance. We’d hate to have to turn you away if we are at full capacity, and parking fees are non-refundable.
I am fully vaccinated. Do I have to wear a mask at the fair?
No. Masks are only required for unvaccinated guests inside OC Fair buildings.
What are the other restrictions?
There is limited capacity at the 2021 OC Fair, so advance tickets are required. In addition to a mask requirement for unvaccinated guests indoors, and increased sanitization, we will have more elbow room on the fairgrounds, distancing will be encouraged and some events will be on hold.
Will you be selling a season pass this year?
No. Due to capacity limitations, the Super Pass will not be for sale for the 2021 season.
What about my 2020 Super Pass?
If you purchased a 2020 Super Pass and did NOT request a refund, your pass will be valid for any day of the 2021 OC Fair. Those existing pass holders will receive 2021 passes in the mail prior to opening day of the OC Fair. Refunds are no longer being offered at this time.
Will you offer free or discounted admission days?
No. To comply with public health directives, this year’s OC Fair will be a limited-capacity event. We are sorry that we will not be able offer all admission options that were available in the past.
Will Opening Day be free?
No. To comply with public health directives, this year’s OC Fair will be a limited-capacity event. We are sorry that we will not be able offer all admission options that were available in the past.
Can military/veterans get in free?
No. To comply with public health directives, this year’s OC Fair will be a limited-capacity event. We are sorry that we will not be able offer all admission options that were available in the past.
Will you offer any ride or food promotions?
Yes! We will have Taste of Fair Food on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring $3 food options. The Read & Ride program for kids (ages 5-11) will also be available during fair time. Unlimited ride wristbands will not be available this year.
Will you have unlimited ride wristbands?
No, not this year. Carnival tickets for rides and games are available for purchase in packs of 40, 100, and 200. We recommend purchasing in advance online or getting the FunPass app to avoid lines on the fairgrounds.
I have a free voucher from the 2020 virtual 5k/Goodwill donation. Will that still work?
Yes. Virtual 5k participants can bring their voucher any day of the 2021 OC Fair for one admission. Goodwill donors can bring their voucher any weekday (Wednesday-Friday) of the 2021 OC Fair for one admission. These printed vouchers have been accounted for in our capacity limits.
What about my 2020 concert tickets?
If you purchased tickets for the 2020 entertainment season and did NOT receive a refund, your tickets will be valid for the rescheduled 2021 date. Please check pacamp.com for the lineup.
Does my concert ticket include Fair admission?
Yes. Tickets to concerts in Pacific Amphitheatre or The Hangar that occur during the 2021 OC Fair include same-day admission to the OC Fair. Parking is not included.
Will there be Action Sports Arena performances?
No. Action Sports Arena will be closed; typical motorized sports and rodeo shows will not take place during the 2021 OC Fair.
Can I be a vendor?
The application deadline to be a vendor, sponsor or platinum partner at the 2021 OC Fair has passed.
Can I perform at the OC Fair?
The application deadline to be a part of the community entertainment program at the 2021 OC Fair has passed.
Will there be competitions this year?
Yes. Competition guides are available on our website at ocfair.com/competitions. Entries are now open.
We will continue to add information to our website at ocfair.com/oc-fair as it becomes available.
Other frequently asked questions:
Is the swap meet open?
No. The OC Market Place, also known as the weekend swap meet, is no longer operating at OC Fair & Event Center. The company that was contracted to operate the OC Market Place through a formal agreement with OC Fair & Event Center has opted not to reopen.
Why can’t the OC Fair run the OC Market Place?
As a state agency, OC Fair & Event Center is not permitted to operate a swap meet business.
However, a new event, the Original O.C. Swap Meet on May 29, will likely welcome many of the same vendors as the former swap meet. More info on our event calendar.
Is the farm open?
No. Due to the vaccination site on the fairgrounds, the entrance to Centennial Farm and Heroes Hall is inaccessible. The farm and veterans museum will reopen July 16.
Is the campground open?
No. OC Fair & Event Center’s campground and RV parking site is still currently closed.
For a list of upcoming events at OC Fair & Event Center, go to ocfair.com/events.
Got another question? We are working hard to plan for the 2021 OC Fair, but there are still a few things pending. We appreciate your patience as we work out the logistics! If you have a question regarding a specific issue, please use our contact form.
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Wednesday, March 31, 2021 (2:50 am)
County opens vaccine Super POD at OC Fair & Event Center
The County of Orange opened a large COVID-19 vaccination site on March 31 at OC Fair & Event Center and it is expected to provide up to 2,000 inoculations per day, with that number increasing as vaccine supplies increase.
The site features both drive-up handicapped-access lanes as well as a walk-up area where vaccines are administered indoors. Vaccines are by appointment only Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit othena.com to book an appointment.
“OC Fair & Event Center always stands ready to serve the community in times of need and there is currently no greater need than helping provide the life-saving COVID-19 vaccine to the people of Orange County,” said OC Fair & Event Center Board Chair Natalie Rubalcava-Garcia. “The Board and staff of the OC Fair are proud to assist with this vaccine rollout as we continue to be a valuable resource to the people of Orange County.”
Rubalcava-Garcia joined OC Supervisor Katrina Foley and other officials to welcome the media to the opening of the vaccine site at a press conference on March 31.
For more information on vaccines and on COVID-19 in Orange County, visit occovid19.ochealthinfo.com.
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Friday, March 26, 2021 (12:08 pm)
Fair Board pays tribute to Women’s History Month
At yesterday’s OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors meeting, CEO Michele Richards, representing the Community Affairs Committee, paid tribute to Women’s History Month.
The presentation highlighted the contributions women have made to Orange County’s communities, education and heritage, and to agriculture throughout California.
View the full presentation: ocfair.com/womenshistorymonthocfec/ -
Thursday, March 25, 2021 (11:08 am)
Dates announced for 2021 OC Fair!
Today the OC Fair announced dates for the much-anticipated annual event – July 16- Aug. 15. The theme is “Time for Fun,” celebrating the joy of the return of Southern California’s favorite summer festival.
“We are grateful to plan for an exciting, and safe, OC Fair this year,” said OC Fair Board Chair Natalie Rubalcava-Garcia. “This milestone will allow the community to come together to celebrate the future and generate much-needed opportunities for economic development and growth in Orange County. The Board and staff have done a fantastic job of responsibly managing our finances and preparing to meet safe reopening guidelines to not just make it through the pandemic, but to emerge resilient and ready for 2021 and beyond.”
OC Fair officials have been working closely with public health agencies to develop protocols to keep fairgoers safe while bringing back carnival rides, fair food, entertainment, competitions, animals and more to fair fans. The plans for the 2021 OC Fair are based on health agency projections for the summer, but could change if warranted by public health conditions.
Advance ticket sales will be required and limited capacity will give fairgoers more elbow room. The number of concessions, rides and shopping vendors will be reduced and spaced out to provide more distance between each. Admission tickets will go on sale May 1 on ocfair.com.
“We have worked through many different scenarios for the 2021 OC Fair and we are so excited to move forward with this plan because it means that we really can bring back the fun, and that’s why I love this year’s theme,” said Michele Richards, OC Fair & Event Center CEO. “We want everyone to continue to follow health guidelines and get vaccinated so we can finally celebrate summer together again.”
The Fair Board voted to keep ticket prices at the 2019 OC Fair rates, $12 general admission and $7 for children and seniors on weekdays (Wednesday, Thursday), and $14 general admission and $7 for children and seniors on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). The current plan is for the fair to be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, as it traditionally has been. There is a change to move Friday into weekend pricing and OC Fair will absorb the online ticket sale fees.
Announcements regarding concerts in Pacific Amphitheatre and The Hangar will be coming soon.
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Tuesday, March 23, 2021 (8:49 am)
Statement on hate crimes from OC Fair & Event Center
All senseless acts of hate and violence hurt our community. OC Fair & Event Center stands in solidarity with our guests, neighbors, employees and partners in the AAPI community. When members of our community are suffering, that impacts us all. We echo the resolution passed by our Board of Directors to denounce all acts of discrimination and violence, and will continue to work toward positive change and greater equality, diversity and inclusiveness throughout the community we celebrate.
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Tuesday, January 12, 2021 (11:10 am)
Please help us by taking a quick survey
UPDATE: This survey has expired. However, we are still accepting feedback via email at ocfinfo@ocfair.com.
To be notified of future surveys, please sign up to receive communication from OC Fair & Event Center: ocfair.com/sign-up-to-provide-additional-feedback/
Community input is important to us. If you have a couple of minutes to spare, please take this survey about equity and diversity at OC Fair & Event Center.
Thank you in advance for your feedback!
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Thursday, December 3, 2020 (12:46 pm)
Fairgrounds activated for large-animal evacuations
OC Fair & Event Center has been activated for large-animal evacuations by the Orange County Office of Emergency Services due to local wildfires.
We are using vacant stalls at the Equestrian Center on the fairgrounds to house evacuated animals. If the need should arise, our staff has also constructed temporary stalls inside Action Sports Arena.
At this time, no volunteers or supplies are needed. Large-animal evacuation efforts are being coordinated through the OC Animal Care agency.
We hope everyone in the community stays safe.
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Saturday, November 21, 2020 (9:33 am)
UPDATE: Winter Fest OC’s Night of Lights OC drive-thru announces new dates, Dec. 10 – Jan. 10, and new hours
Winter Fest OC’s Night of Lights OC, an immersive winter wonderland drive-thru experience, has announced new plans to operate at the OC Fair & Event Center, with changes in place to safely meet all government guidelines. The previously postponed event is back and will run Dec. 10-Jan. 10 (excluding Christmas Eve), with sessions ending at 9:30pm nightly.
Guests can to enjoy more than 1,000,000 lights from the safety of their own vehicles. The guided experience through a mile-long route features themed holiday scenery, special effects such as snow flurries and bubbles and animated light shows and tunnels synchronized to music through a car radio or smartphone.
Entry to the event is through online ticket purchase only at NightOfLightsOC.com. Entrance begins at 5 p.m. with timed sessions available until 9:30 p.m. Limited reservations are available per session and guests are encouraged to buy in advance to reserve their date and session before they sell out.
Early bird general admission starts at $39.99 per vehicle (up to five people) on select nights. Larger vehicle tickets (six to nine people) start at $59.99 on select nights. Vehicle height is limited to eight feet or less, due to the light tunnels. Pricing will increase after early bird tickets are sold out.
Holiday favorite treats are available before entering the Night of Lights OC experience through pre-order when purchasing tickets. Seasonal favorites include hot cocoa, cinnamon sugar donuts, as well as Mom’s Bake Shoppe cookie buckets and brownies, tamales, holiday ‘Family 4 Pack’ meals, and more. Food is available to order online by 10am on the date of admission and will be available to pick-up prior to entering the drive-thru experience.
Every Monday, Night of Lights OC will honor local community heroes with a special $5 off coupon for teachers, military personnel, law enforcement, medical workers and firefighters.
For more information, visit NightOfLightsOC.com.