Put a "Smile" on your face in anticipation of the 29th annual Youth Expo at the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center, April 25-27, 2008.

Thousands of local schoolchildren, schools, youth groups and families will take over the fairgrounds for the free annual event, which recognizes Orange County youth for their positive accomplishments in math, science, literature, agriculture, art, and the community.

Student projects on a variety of academic subjects will be on display in the School Projects building throughout the three-day event. The best student projects are awarded ribbons, trophies and cash awards.

Future gardeners and farmers can show off their young talent with an entry in the Li'l Sprouts Farm and Garden Competition on April 25. Pre-registration is not required and all self-grown fruits, vegetables, or flowers can be delivered to Centennial Farm from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. that day for submission.

The 18th annual Home Builders Council (HBC) Design/Build Competition will set-up shop for a fourth year with its two-day event which challenges high school, community college, Youth Build, and Regional Occupation Program (ROP) student teams to design and build as professional builders would.

For the 53rd annual Orange County Science and Engineering Fair, science and math will be the featured attraction with hundreds of individual and group projects on display from students in the sixth through 12th grades.

Academia won't be the only thing making visitors to Youth Expo smile though. Gale Webb will return with her Extreme Sports and Air Show, which features some of the youngest BMX, inline and skateboarding stars of today.

Other Youth Expo features nclude a 4-H livestock competition, Girl Scout exhibits and crafts, and exhibitors offering educational resources and information.

The 2008 Youth Expo Competition Guide is available online now. Download the handbook and enter online by visiting ocfair.com and clicking the Youth Expo logo. The entry form deadline is Feb. 7, 2008. For additional information, call (714) 708-1553.

Youth Expo hours are Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free.