Spring has sprung and summer is here which, of course, means the annual OC Fair is right around the corner. The 2006 OC Fair promises to be bigger and better than ever as we salute "Flower Power," and the year of the garden. The Fair will blossom with stunning floral exhibits as well as with exciting new entertainment offerings along with some old favorites.

In celebration of our theme, Centennial Farm will be in full bloom with overflowing beds of ripe produce and flowers. Additionally, fairgoers can keep track of their day with the massive flower clock on the slope outside Pacific Amphitheatre. And then if that's not enough, there's the Floral and Garden Gallery, and the Floral Pavilion. In case this all seems daunting and you think you might miss something, just look for the three twelve-foot garden gnomes to guide you.

To further our "green" theme, the Fuel Cell Exhibit, presented by the National Fuel Cell Research Center at the University of California, Irvine, will demonstrate the functionality and the possible applications of fuel cells. The exhibit arrives at the OC Fair after being visited by almost two million guests when it premiered at the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi, Japan.

Of course, what would the OC Fair be without entertainment? We are excited to welcome AGA-BOOM! which can best be described as a theatre of physical comedy and circus arts. You have to see it to believe it and to see it, visit the AGA-BOOM! Theater.

Returning for a second year, the Stars of the Peking Acrobats will be performing on the Plaza Arts Stage, amazing fairgoers with strength, agility and acrobatics.

In addition to all this, we have the Washington Mutual Arena, which is hosting Speedway, the "Orange Crush" Demolition Derby, Ozomatli, the Fab Four, Jump 5, Jonas Brothers, Lucha Libre, and bull riding.

And finally, we have some of the biggest names in entertainment performing at the Pacific Amphitheatre. Old favorites such as Steve Miller Band and Paul Simon along with new names such as Switchfoot and All-American Rejects will delight audiences during the Pacific Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series presented by the OC Market Place.

So, get ready, the 2006 OC Fair opens Friday, July 7. Visit www.ocfair.com for all the latest information.

Peggy Haidl President, Board of Directors Orange County Fair & Exposition Center