As I welcome you to this year's 111th Orange County Fair, I am delighted to say that this is going to be a banner year for the 2003 Fair.

We have a lot to be excited about from our Red, Ripe and Rockin' theme to a host of new events and activities. With the re-opening of Pacific Amphitheatre for Fair-time entertainment, the spotlight will be on popular music covering a wide range of genres, including the brilliant jazz artist Diana Krall to rock favorites such as Duran Duran, Bob Dylan and Kenny Loggins.

I am especially pleased that the PacAmp lineup includes two internationally renowned Spanish-language artists - Juan Gabriel and Marco Antonio Solis - and that the Fair will also offer several Latin festivals for our county's growing Latino population.

While Pacific Amphitheatre concerts will require a separate paid ticket, it's important to point out that the Fair will continue to offer its free concert series twice nightly for 15 days of the Fair.

We're also excited about our celebrity chef series taking place on all three Thursday's of the Fair (July 17, 24 and 31) featuring Food Network chef's Alton Brown, Curtis Aikens and Aaron Sanchez.

In addition to these new happenings, the 2003 Fair will feature the return of the ever popular petting zoos, All-Alaskan pig racing, international speedway racing, motocross jumping, two Demolition Derbies, and the many exhibits entered by Fair fans in a variety of contests.

And, don't forget the Fair is open for 21 days this year (July 11 to Aug. 3) and is closed on Mondays. I think you'll agree that it looks like fun times ahead at the Fair. Hope to see you there!

Ruben Smith
President, Board of directors
Orange County Fair & Exposition Center