OC Fair & Event Center’s May events
COSTA MESA (May 2018) – There are tons of events at OC Fair & Event Center all throughout the year. Here’s what’s happening in May.
♦ May 5-7, The OC Marathon Running Festival
In its 13th year, the U.S. Bank OC Marathon and Half Marathon will welcome runners from more than 20 countries and all 50 states. The event also includes the OC Lifestyle and Fitness Expo, Kids Run the OC, and OC Wahoo’s 5K.
Schedule:
Friday, 4-8 p.m., Health and Fitness Expo
Friday, 8 a.m. -noon, Kids Run the OC
Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Health and Fitness Expo
Saturday, 5 p.m., Wahoo’s OC 5K
Sunday, 5:30 a.m. Full marathon starts near Fashion Island and finishes at OC Fair & Event Center
Sunday, 6:15 a.m. Half marathon starts near Fashion Island and finishes at OC Fair & Event Center
Parking: $8 Friday and Saturday, $10 Sunday
Registration and info: ocmarathon.com, info@ocmarathon.com or call (949) 222-3327
♦ May 12-13, Remnants of the Past Vintage Show
The show will feature the finest purveyors of vintage and handmade artisans. Vintage styles range from French farmhouse to shabby chic, industrial, cottage style and more.
Hours: Friday, early-bird shopping, 9-10 a.m.; regular hours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Admission: $25 for early-bird shopping (or available online for $20), $10 general admission; parking $8
Information: remnantsofthepast.com, email judy@remnantsofthepast.com or call (805) 471-5708
♦ May 13, Centennial Farm Garden Class – Mommy and Me Fairy Gardens
Celebrate Mom and all she does in honor of Mother’s Day. Moms and children will make their own unique fairy gardens together. This hands-on class will teach attendees how to create the perfect fair garden for their home. Open to moms, dads, grandparents, etc. Limit of two children per adult. Speaker is Kelly Dougherty.
Hours: Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-noon
Admission: $40 per adult and child; includes materials and handouts. Parking is free.
Information: Register at ocfair.com/gardenclasses or 714-708-1619
♦ May 19, County of Orange Annual Hiring Fair
More than 150 businesses will conduct on-the-spot interviews at OC Fair & Event Center and take resumes from prospective employees with keynote speakers on job-related topics.
Hours: Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Free; parking $8
Information: hiringfair.org, email info@hiringfair.org or call (213) 221-4040
♦ May 19-21, OC Night Market
OC Night Market is back! Presenting Let’s Play Summer 2017, the event will feature hundreds of food, merchandise, arts, crafts and entertainment options as one of the biggest food festivals of the year. Welcome back old favorites and a lineup of new vendors.
Hours: Friday & Saturday, 4 p.m.- midnight; Sunday, 4-11 p.m.
Admission: $5 general admission; children 6 and under are free. $3 admission on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.
Information: ocnightmarket.com or email info@ocnightmarket.com
♦ May 20, Centennial Farm Garden Class – Hanging Succulent Gardens
Part lecture, part workshop, this garden class will teach general identification, care and propagation techniques of the most popular succulents grown today as well as basic principles of design. Then attendees will get to design and create their own succulent container gardens to take home. Tools and materials will be provided. Speaker is Adam Waugh.
Hours: Saturday, 9:30 a.m.
Admission: $35 includes materials and handouts; parking is free
Information: Register at ocfair.com/gardenclasses or 714-708-1619
♦ May 20, Truck Adventures for Kids Benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation
Children can experience the trucks they love like never before from the driver’s seat, interacting with the professionals who drive them. This one-day event offers more than 100 trucks for children to climb in, on, over and around. Benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation, Orange County and the Inland Empire. For more information, visit truckadventures.org/orangecounty
Hours: Saturday, 9 a.m. -3 p.m.
Admission: $15, children 2 and younger are free; parking $8
Information: Register at ocfair.com/gardenclasses or 714-708-1619
♦ May 23, Voices – Veterans Storytelling Project
The voices of veterans will come alive at Heroes Hall at the OC Fair & Event Center as former military men and women share their very personal and poignant stories of service. This special night of storytelling is presented by Arts Orange County in collaboration with Chance Theater, Heroes Hall Veterans Museum at OC Fair & Event Center and Veterans First. This program empowers veterans to use theater to talk about their experiences and help the community understand the life of a veteran. The evening storytelling showcase will be the first performance hosted by Heroes Hall in its new Medal of Honor Plaza.
Hours: Tuesday, 8-10 p.m.
Admission: Free
Information: RSVP at veteranstorytelling.eventbrite.com
♦ June 3-4, Crossroad of the West Gun Show
This two-day gun and western Americana show features guns, accessories, tactical gear, ammunition, safes, personal protection products and more.
Hours: Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: General $18, $16 (advance online), seniors $17, $16 (advance online), children 12 and younger are free when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parking is $8.
Information: crossroadsgunshows.com, email gunshows@crossroadsgunshows.com or call (801) 544-9125
♦ June 10, OC Funk Fest
OC Funk Fest brings its third year of original funk featuring performances by Zapp, S.O.S. Band, Lakeside, Evelyn Champagne King, Chocolate Milk and more. Pre-party in the Plaza Pacifica features music by Gap X Band & Stone City Band plus food trucks and merchandise vendors.
Hours: Saturday, pre-party starts at noon, show 3-10 p.m.
Admission: $20-$40; parking $10
Information: curious-ent.com, email curious_ent@yahoo.com or call (888) 541-7742
♦ June 11, BrideWorld
Shop and compare 150 bridal salons, florists, photo booths, photographers, disc jockeys, wedding venues, invitations, vintage decor, custom invitations, romantic honeymoons destinations and amazing wedding planning values.
Hours: Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: $12 general admission at the door; $6 if purchased online in advance. Parking is $8.
Information: brideworld.com, email info@brideworld.com or call (800) 600-7080
Ongoing events
Certified Farmers Market – Thursdays
Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Free admission and parking
Orange County Market Place – Saturdays and Sundays
Hours: 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $2 admission; free parking in designated lots
Centennial Farm – daily
Hours: Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Free admission and parking
Heroes Hall – daily
Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Free admission and parking