OC Fair’s Imaginology starts tomorrow

COSTA MESA (April 11, 2019) – Imaginology, OC Fair’s free three-day learning event for kids centered around STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), begins tomorrow, April 12, and goes through Sunday, April 14.

This exciting exploration of STEAM-related topics and careers features hands-on learning and is open Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free and most activities are included. Parking is free on Friday; $9 on Saturday and Sunday.

Imaginology is where curious people of all ages go to discover future career opportunities available in science, technology, engineering, arts and math fields. Students are encouraged to explore those possibilities by learning at a variety of workshops, demonstrations and exhibits. Food will be available for sale at the event.

Beyond the various activities and events that students can participate in, there are several that make Imaginology special.

• Sand, not paper: Rather than write a 50-page report for his geology class, former Orange Coast College student Skylar Miles, now 27, showed his professor a video of an augmented reality sandbox and asked, “What if I built those instead?” After getting approval, Miles took the source code, a computer, a projector and built the augmented reality sandbox, which is making its debut at the 2019 Imaginology event. “I think it’ll be a good addition to Imaginology,” Miles said. “It’s an interactive exhibit and that’s what this event is all about. I’ve only really seen my friends in college play with it, so I haven’t yet seen how little kids react and how cool they think it is.”
• Food fundraisers: There will be more than 15 vendors selling food, drinks and desserts over the event’s three days. Among them will be four local groups selling food to raise funds: Boy Scout Troop 339 will be selling hamburgers, bratwurst, chips and drinks; Boy Scout Troop 274 will be selling hot dogs, chili dogs, nachos and drinks; the OC 4-H Mesa Goathill Go-Getters will be selling pizza slices, nachos and drink; and Orange Coast Musical Arts will be selling root beer floats and baked goods.
• Local performers: Performances at two stages – Main Mall Stage and in the Niño Village for Dia del Niño – will include several Orange County groups and a wide mix of music, dance and plays. Local performers include Anaheim’s Rhythmo Mariachi Kids, students from Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center, Santa Ana High School’s Theater Arts Conservatory and Mariachi Juvenil Herencia Michoacana from Costa Mesa.

The full schedule of events, activities and things to do can be found at ocfair.com/imaginology/information.

Imaginology is easily accessible from the 55, 405 and 73 freeways and from the OCTA 47, 55 and 178 bus lines.

OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa is home to the annual OC Fair. Year-round attractions include Centennial Farm, Table of Dignity, Heroes Hall and Pacific Amphitheatre. Throughout the year events ranging from recreation shows to cultural festivals are held at the fairgrounds. For more information, visit ocfair.com.

Support of OC Fair & Event Center provides year-round educational opportunities and helps fund community give-back programs such as Imaginology.

Photos and video for Imaginology and the OC Fair are available for media use on Flickr.