For the first time, the 20th annual Fascination of Orchids International Orchid Show and Sale will showcase the beauty and intrigue of the popular tropical flower at the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center Feb. 10-12.

Formerly housed at nearby South Coast Plaza, the annual extravaganza is touted as one of the largest and most spectacular orchid shows in the world with numerous vendors, exhibits, workshops and seminars. There will be growers from California, Hawaii, Asia, and Central and South America selling dozens of varieties of orchids.

The American Orchid Society posted on its Web site that the orchid was second only to poinsettias in potted flowering plant sales for 2004 with some 17.2 million being sold in the United States alone.

The organization attributes the flower's growing popularity to its beauty, heartiness and relatively low-cost production. Nurseries throughout the nation have taken to growing huge volumes of quality plants.

The show is open Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. One-day admission is $3 and an unlimited weekend pass is $5. Parking is free. For more information visit www.ocorchidshow.com.