Salute to Veterans: Free community celebration to be held Nov. 11
COSTA MESA (Oct. 25, 2017)– OC Fair & Event Center will host a free community event, Salute to Veterans, on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The celebration will be presented in collaboration with California labor unions and the Orange County Market Place.
The Veterans Day celebration is free and the community is invited to bring non-perishable items to donate to a food drive which will help veterans in need. Last year 5.6 tons of food was collected at multiple sites.
“It is an honor to host Salute to Veterans at OC Fair & Event Center. It is our goal to bring the community together to recognize our veterans and to thank them for their service,” said Kathy Kramer, OC Fair & Event Center CEO. “This Veterans Day we look forward to partnering with California labor unions and the OC Market Place to offer important services to veterans as well as fun and food for the whole family.”
Salute to Veterans will feature:
• Complimentary lunch
• Bounce houses and postcard project for kids
• Military vehicles
• Booths with information on services for veterans, including free health screenings, job access and resources
• Food drive for veterans
• Swing Cats band and swing dancers
• Pacific Symphony Brass Quintet
Orange County Market Place will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will offer free admission to Salute to Veterans attendees.
“California labor unions started this event five years ago to say thank you to veterans and connect them to the services and jobs they need when they come home from serving our great Country,” said Jennifer Beuthin, general manager of the Orange County Employees Association. “Working people are proud to stand with veterans in partnership with our communities to host this event, collect tons of food for homeless veterans in need, connect veterans to job training, and to honor their service to our country.”
Heroes Hall at OC Fair & Event Center will be open and will feature a new exhibit, Kimberly Millett’s Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as the Veterans Story Booth where vets can record and share their tales of service. Heroes Hall will also present a plaque unveiling in the Medal of Honor Courtyard during the event.
Heroes Hall is a new museum and education center honoring Orange County’s veterans. It opened in February and also features The SAAAB Story exhibit, which celebrates the history of the flight training center, as well as The Medal of Honor Courtyard and the Orange County Walk of Honor, both tributes to veterans from Orange County who received high honors from the United States government. For more information about Heroes Hall, visit ocfair.com/heroeshall.
OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa is home to the annual OC Fair, which attracts more than 1.3 million people. The fairgrounds’ year-round attractions include Centennial Farm, Table of Dignity, Heroes Hall and Pacific Amphitheatre. Imaginology, a free three-day family event focusing on S.T.E.A.M.-related activities and hands-on fun, is presented each April. Throughout the year events ranging from recreation shows to cultural festivals are held at the fairgrounds. For more information about OC Fair & Event Center and its events and venue space, visit ocfair.com/venue-rentals/.
Support of OC Fair & Event Center provides year-round educational opportunities and helps fund community give-back programs.