Friday, May 1, 2020 (3:01 am)

Joan Hamill was appointed Chief Business Development Officer May 1, 2020 to lead Communications & Guest Experience, Exhibits & Education, Entertainment, Event Sales & Services, Marketing & Creative Services and Sponsorship & Sales. She worked in various positions for OC Fair & Event Center in the exhibits department and served as the department director since 2003. During this time she developed and directed numerous programming and exhibits for OC Fair and Imaginology as well as year round educational programs and events for Centennial Farm. She lead the development and creation of permanent and rotating exhibitions and educational programs for Heroes Hall since its opening in 2017.

Monday, April 27, 2020 (9:52 am)

The OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors voted unanimously today to cancel the 2020 OC Fair, one of the most anticipated and enduring summer celebrations in Southern California for 130 years. The Board considered ongoing guidance and updated information from State and County health care and government officials about the status of the coronavirus pandemic and the improbability that mass gatherings like the OC Fair could safely and responsibly take place this summer.

In addition to the regularly scheduled monthly meeting, the Board called a second April meeting specifically to review all options and discuss whether or not to move forward with the 2020 OC Fair. The action comes amid unprecedented community stay-at-home and social distancing orders and will protect guests, vendors and staff during the COVID-19 crisis.

“The decision to cancel the 2020 OC Fair was not taken lightly by the Board. As Governor-appointed representatives the Board has a responsibility to provide a safe experience to the community-at-large, the hundreds of people who depend on county fairs for their livelihood, fairgoers and OC Fair staff,” said Board Chair Sandra Cervantes. “While many of our guests have expressed extreme disappointment over the idea of the 2020 Fair being canceled, we strongly believe it is the right thing to do in this current situation. However, we will keep the spirit of the OC Fair alive with virtual fair concepts such as contests, competitions, entertainment and concessions to bring the fair experience to guests through ocfair.com and social media.”

The 23-day OC Fair welcomes more than 1.3 million fairgoers each year and has an estimated economic impact of $350 million annually. The Fair was canceled 1942-1947 during wartime, but otherwise has been a summer staple since 1890. Information on refunds for concert tickets and Super Passes that have already been purchased can be found at ocfair.com/refunds.

“We love the OC Fair as much as our guests do. And, while it’s disappointing that the Fair can’t take place this year, we fully support the Board’s decision,” said Michele Richards, OC Fair & Event Center CEO. “But please know OC Fair & Event Center will still be here to serve the community as we plan for the next OC Fair and the eventual return of our wonderful events.”

Friday, April 17, 2020 (1:52 pm)

OC Fair ticket booths are helping love triumph during the pandemic.

Three booths are on loan to the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department so they can offer marriage licenses and civil marriage ceremonies, with social distancing in place, to couples during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“It warms our hearts that our OC Fair & Event Center ticket booths are providing safe windows to love and marriage during these challenging times,” said Michele Richards, OC Fair & Event Center CEO. “We are glad to partner with the County to share such a hopeful sign for the future.”

Marriage services are available at Honda Center by appointment only. Visit ocrecorder.com for more information, or call the county’s Marriage Service Hotline at (714) 834-2740.

Friday, April 10, 2020 (9:49 am)

OC Fair & Event Center leadership is in communication with state, county and city agencies regarding the use of the fairgrounds for emergency purposes during the coronavirus pandemic.

We have received an updated notice that 10 temporary trailers will be delivered today, April 10, to the corner of parking lot G, nearest Gate 10, for potential emergency housing. These trailers were requested by the City of Costa Mesa from the State of California to assist with housing if needed for unsheltered residents who may have risk factors that make them vulnerable to COVID-19. It is not yet known if or when the trailers will be utilized for this purpose. The trailers will be placed in a secured area.

Also, three buildings in the Main Mall area of the fairgrounds are being considered for emergency medical use. The Orange County Health Care Agency has assessed the property and is considering it to assist with hospital overflow. Details about how the facilities will be utilized and who will occupy them is not yet known. If the buildings are put into use, the area will be secured. The timetable is also in the works as coordination continues.

“Fairgrounds all over the state are being called into service to assist their communities and we are happy to do our part in helping Orange County through this pandemic,” said Michele Richards, OC Fair & Event Center CEO.

Thank you for your continued support as it is determined how the fairgrounds will be used to assist our community during this unprecedented crisis.

Thursday, April 2, 2020 (9:00 am)

Wednesday, April 1, 2020 (10:02 am)

Centennial Farm, which is currently closed to the public, sure does miss its after-school program, class tours and visitors. 

But in the meantime, we are doing what we can to help our community by donating produce to OC Food Bank. Our hard-working farm staff has harvested several pounds of carrots, different types of lettuce and more.

The farm staff is also making sure the livestock at Centennial Farm continues to be fed and cared for. Most of the rest of OC Fair & Event Center staff is working from home while the fairgrounds are closed.

Thursday, March 12, 2020 (7:16 pm)

(Updated June 11, 202o) 

Out of an abundance of caution and to help stem the spread of coronavirus, OC Fair & Event Center announces a full public closure of the facilities, including Heroes Hall Veterans Museum, Centennial Farm, Equestrian Center and the administration building lobby until further notice.

OC Fair & Event center will continue to follow public health directives.

The following events previously scheduled to take place at OC Fair & Event Center have been impacted: 

• Orange County Market Place – weekends, canceled until further notice
• Farmers Market – Thursdays, canceled until June 18
• OC Wine Fest – June 13-14, canceled
• BrideWorld – June 14, canceled
• OC Market Place Taco Fest – June 20, canceled
• Costa Mesa Speedway – June 20, canceled
• FamFest – June 20-21, canceled
• Pacific Symphony – July 4 & Aug. 21, canceled
• 2020 OC Fair – July 17-Aug. 16, canceled
• SoCal World Guitar Show – Aug. 22-23, canceled
• Irish Festival – Sept. 5-6, canceled

The following is a list of events originally scheduled for earlier this year that have been rescheduled for a later date: 

• AAOC Trade Show and Conference – March 26, postponed to Sept. 10
• Mom Made Market – March 28-29, postponed to Oct. 10-11
• Fight Club – April 9 & June 11, postponed until Oct. 15 & Nov. 12
• OC Marathon – May 1-3, postponed to Nov. 6-8
• OC Night Market – May 8-10 & May 15-17, postponed to Oct. 23-25 & Oct. 30-Nov. 1 

For a complete list of upcoming scheduled events, please visit ocfair.com/events. 

Friday, February 28, 2020 (11:49 am)

The OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors voted Feb. 27 to approve a new Community Engagement Program aimed at helping local community groups, nonprofits and government agencies by supporting projects and events this year.

A Community Engagement Program was proposed by CEO Michele Richards as a way to include employees and the board in decisions on how OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) supports local efforts that are in alignment with the agency’s mission and that meet specific criteria. OCFEC’s mission is “Celebration of Orange County’s communities, interests, agriculture and heritage.”

As part of OCFEC’s 2020 budget, a $150,000 Community Engagement Fund was set aside and a committee of two board members was created to work with a 10-member employee panel to determine which requests will be approved and funded.

“The idea of this Community Engagement Program is extremely important to me. I want a fully transparent process in place and I believe it is in the best interest of the organization and public for our employees to be involved in this decision-making,” said Richards. “We want these funds to help further our mission and to lift up the people and the organizations out there doing such good work in our communities.”

The Community Engagement Fund is one of several ways that OCFEC provides support to local philanthropic groups and other organizations.

The Community Meeting Space Program allows groups to use meeting rooms for free or at a discount and the Community Event Rental Waiver program offers free or discounted use of facilities for events and larger meetings. Facilities must not be booked for other uses and particular criteria must be met. Staffing and equipment rental or usage costs are not included in the fee waiver and are subject to charges.

Organizations interested in applying for any of OCFEC’s community programs can soon fill out an application online at ocfair.com/communityprograms.

Tuesday, January 28, 2020 (4:47 pm)

OC Fair & Event Center was honored with 16 awards for innovation and excellence by the Western Fairs Association (WFA). 

OCFEC received six first-place honors, four second-place awards and six third-place awards.

OC Fair’s 1st place awards: 

• New Animal Competitive Exhibit: Clean Barn Award program
• New Idea in Maintenance: Hand-washing station pump and wagon innovation 
• Theme Program: Acres of Fun
• Fair Logo
• New Innovative Use of Technology for Patrons: PrimoWind charging stations
• New Event, Exhibit or Program: Heroes Hall exhibit “Victory from Within”

OC Fair’s 2nd place awards:

• Fair-time Event: “Love is in the Fair” wedding contest
• Self-Promoted Non-Fair Event: Boo Ha Ha – A Haunted Oktobeerfest 
• Fair Pocket Program/Schedule
• Agriculture Programming: Agriculture-themed lounges (Avocado Pit, Orange Grove, Strawberry Patch and Beef Corral)

OC Fair’s 3rd place awards:

• Give it Your Best Shot, People (photography): Little girl with pink balloon in fountain (pictured above)
• Fair-time Advertising Poster
• Foreign Language Printed Marketing Campaign
• Digital Marketing Campaign
• Any Other Advertising Campaign: Promotional items
• Non-Profits: Big Brothers Big Sisters workplace mentoring program

Many prize categories were specific to the 2019 OC Fair and others were related to year-round events and programs. The Western Fairs Association presented the awards for 2019 achievements at its annual conference last week in Reno, NV. WFA is a nonprofit trade association serving the fair industry throughout the western United States and Canada. 

Friday, January 24, 2020 (1:24 pm)

PATCH.COM Jan.24, 2020:

ANAHEIM, CA —When tourism is your most significant industry, it is only natural to look to the youth to find the future of your workforce. Enter Orange County’s Tourism Workforce Initiative, a plan to encourage and develop young minds into future paid employees within the city of Anaheim’s broad tourism trade.

The year-long county-wide program got off to a great start Thursday with speakers, videos, career resources, and prizes from local attractions, retail outlets, and more in a presentation to members of the junior and senior classes at Anaheim High School.

“This is going to be a game-changer,” said Anaheim Union High School District Superintendent Mike Matsuda in kicking off the event.

A customized transit bus, wrapped with images of tourism industry professionals and the initiative’s tagline “OC Tourism: Grow Great Careers Here,” was staged on the quad steps away from the auditorium where the program took place. The event began with a brief opening ceremony featuring remarks by Anaheim Union High School District Superintendent Michael Matsuda and Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Faessel.

The presentation included talks by engaging young professionals in the tourism industry who shared their educational backgrounds and career paths, short videos by the California State University System on educational opportunities, and videos specifically on hospitality industry careers. Prize drawings featured tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm, the OC Fair, and Star Wars-themed gift bags from Disneyland Resort.

“When you have a dream, when you want to make something happen, you need a lot of support,” said Jay Burress, President, and CEO of Visit Anaheim and Chairman of the Initiative. “I want to thank those who have made this possible,” he continued as he recognized the partners.

Anaheim Resort Transportation, Visit Anaheim, Best VIP Chauffeured, California Community Colleges, California State University System, Orange County Community Services, Knott’s Berry Farm, Newport Beach & Co., Trip.com, Travel Costa Mesa, Visit Huntington Beach, OC Fair & Event Center, Visit Huntington Beach, Irvine Retail Properties and South Coast Plaza.

The launch was attended by several special guests including Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Faessel; President of the Anaheim Union High School District Board of Trustees Annemarie Randle-Trejo; 4th District Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee; Anaheim Union High School District Superintendent Matsuda; Field Representative Rachel Rolnicki from the office of Congressman Lou Correa; District Director Norma Campos Kurtz from the office of Assemblyman Tom Daly and more.

“Anaheim is all about tourism,” said Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Faessel. “We’re celebrating the opportunity of our Anaheim High students to consider careers in tourism.”