Category Archives: OC Fair

Monday, May 22, 2017 (4:41 pm)

A little olive oil goes a long way to enhance food. In California, and specifically Orange County, a bit of olive oil drizzled over a bed of bright green lettuce and fresh, juicy tomatoes with a side of perfectly ripe avocado makes the kind of meal summers are made of.

So with that freshness in mind, the 2017 OC Fair held its inaugural California Olive Oil Competition, and winners will be featured this summer during the Fair. The competition focused on the Fair’s theme of “Farm Fresh Fun” and was open to all California olive oil producers.

Fairgoers will be able to enjoy complimentary tastings of these decadent olive oils, as well as learn a few tricks of the trade at food pairing demos hosted by the olive oil makers. The award-winning products will be available for sale in the OC Promenade.

The olive oils were divided into two divisions for the competition: extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) and flavored olive oils, which could either be co-milled or infused. Gold, Silver and Best of Show medals were awarded.

The four-member OC Fair Olive Oil Tasting Panel tasted 33 olive oils.

Nancy Ash, of Strictly Olive Oil, served as head judge and adviser. As a professional olive oil consultant, she has been a frequent judge at various fairs including the California State Fair, the Big Fresno Fair San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition and the Los Angeles County Fair.

This year’s competition was coordinated by OC Fair & Event Center’s team of Evy Young, agriculture education supervisor; Barbara Gregerson, garden and floral program coordinator; and Pamela Wnuck, culinary arts supervisor.

Meet the OC Fair Olive Oil Tasting Panel

Thom Curry – proprietor, Temecula Olive Oil Company; member, California Olive Oil Council Tasting Panel; professional olive oil taster; sommelier and wine tasting judge
Lawrence Jacobs – conventional and specialty grocery buyer, Oliver’s Markets; member, California Olive Oil Council Tasting Panel
Arden Kremer – organic and biodynamic grape grower in Sonoma County; member, California Olive Oil Council Tasting Panel
Kathryn Tomajan – Oleologist; miller; educator; olive grower; expert taster and trained sensory panel member; and member, California Olive Oil Council Tasting Panel

The OC Fair Olive Oil Tasting Panel received intensive training from members of the California Olive Oil Council pursuant to the guidelines of the International Olive Council.

ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE 2017 OC FAIR CALIFORNIA OLIVE OIL COMPETITION

Extra Virgin Olive Oils division winners

Best of Show – Lodi Olive Oil’s Ascolano

Silver Medals – Tyler Florence Test Kitchen (Blend), Fandango (Blend), Calivirgin Premium (Arbequina), ENZO Ranch 11 (Arbosana), ENZO Ranch 20 (Arbosana) Fandango (Arbequina), San Miguel Olive Farm Pristine (Italian blend), Macala (Blend), ENZO Ranch 11 (Koroneiki) and ENZO Ranch 20 (Koroneiki)

Gold Medals – Lodi Olive Oil (Ascolano), San Miguel Olive Farm Nectar (Italian Blend), ENZO Ranch 11 (Arbequina) and ENZO Ranch 20 (Arbequina)

Flavored Olive Oils division winners

Best of Show – Calivirgin’s Hot Virgin Jalapeno

Silver Medals – ENZO (Clementine), Calivirgin (Rosemary), Calivirgin (Basil) and ENZO (Basil) and Calivirgin (Garlic)

Gold Medals – Calivirgin (Blood Orange), Calivirgin (Hot Virgin Jalapeño), Calivirgin (Jalapeño-Garlic), Calivirgin (Lemon), Calivirgin (Habañero) and ENZO (Fresno Chili)

Monday, May 15, 2017 (4:38 pm)

The OC Fair has announced its first venture into the esports world, iBUYPOWER GameFest and Tournament, featuring virtual reality demos, a live gaming tournament and much more.

Stop by and channel your inner gamer, experience the stunning world of virtual reality, or enjoy our variety of carnival-style activities for chances to win sponsored prizes.

GameFest will take place on the last weekend of the 2017 OC Fair, August 12 and 13, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in The Hangar and Club OC in the Plaza Pacifica. Entrance is included with your OC Fair admission, which is $14 for adults and $7 for youth (6-12) and seniors (60+).

In the evenings, level up for more PC gaming fun as iBUYPOWER and the OC Fair also host the inaugural GameFest Tournament Series from 8:30 to 10 p.m. in The Hangar. Admission to the tournament includes access to the all-day expo and demos, early access to the Hangar beginning at 7:30 p.m. for the live tournament, a GameFest swag bag and up-close viewing of the tournament on the big screen. Admission for the tournament is $17.50 for standing general admission and $25 for reserved seating; tickets include admission to the OC Fair.

iBUYPOWER GameFest at the OC Fair
August 12 and 13, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tickets included in Fair admission – $14 for adults, $7 for youth (6-12) and seniors (60+)

iBUYPOWER GameFest at the OC Fair and Tournament Series
August 12 and 13, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Tickets are $17.50 general admission, $25 reserved seating (tickets include admission to the OC Fair)

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 (6:45 pm)

Every year during the OC Fair, we host a nightly show in Main Mall and at The Hangar.

This year, that show can include photos of YOU!

During the 2018 OC Fair, our Main Mall show will highlight our theme, “Free Your Inner Farmer.” To be included, share photos of you, friends and family freeing your inner farmer by doing things like working in the garden, planting crops, cooking your harvest, working with farm animals, or even just mowing the front lawn! 

Here’s how to submit:

Facebook: Tag OC Fair and use #freeyourinnerfarmer

Instagram: Tag @oc_fair and use #freeyourinnerfarmer

Twitter: Mention @ocfair and use #freeyourinnerfarmer

Snapchat: Send a snap to @ocfair

Sharing through social media requires us to be able to see the photo, so make sure your privacy settings are set to public. 

OR, submit online: Go to wetransfer.com and upload your photo. From wetransfer.com, email to freeyourinnerfarmer@ocfair.com, and make sure to include your name, the city in which you live, and a description of your image. Please do not directly email your image to the address mentioned as we cannot guarantee receipt through our spam filter. 

The fine print: Photos and videos shared with us should be highest resolution possible. By  submitting a photo via any of the instructions above, you are giving OC Fair & Event Center permission to use the image in the nightly show and in any related marketing efforts. Submitting a photo does not guarantee inclusion in the nightly show. 

Monday, May 1, 2017 (3:44 pm)

New Program Gives Underserved Kids a Trip To The Fair

We’re launching a great new community giveback program at this year’s fair: OC Fair Kids Club. In its first year, the goal is to provide a free fair experience and bus transportation for 1,000 underserved children. The young fairgoers from local Title 1 afterschool and summer programs will also receive carnival coupons and a gift card for food and beverages.

“We are so excited to offer this program to help young people who would normally not be able to afford a trip to the fair,” said OC Fair & Event Center CEO Kathy Kramer. “Wewant to help these children enjoy the best event of the summer and can’t wait to provide them with a memorable fair experience.”

OC Fair Kids Club joins service programs that include We Care Wednesdays, serving local nonprofits, and Friends of the Fair, a special annual event for disabled fairgoers. These initiatives were winners of the Western Fair Association’s Merrill Award for industry excellence in 2016.

For more information about these community programs, or to submit an application for your Title 1 program (minimum 50 participants, maximum of 70 including chaperones) to be a part of OC Kids Club, contact ocfinfo@ocfair.com.