Families Are Invited to “Ham It Up!” at
The Youth Expo Experience April 12-14

When the Youth Expo Experience returns to the OC Fair & Event Center April 12-14, local school children and their families are invited to come “Ham It Up!” with contests, competitions, competitive exhibits, food, rides and family-friendly activities.

The annual, three-day event offers free admission for everyone and will showcase the talents of youth ages pre-kindergarten through high school in individual and group project competitions in subjects from science, art, creative writing and more.

Here are some of the fun events available at the Youth Expo this year:

“Make & Take” Activities: Free, hands-on learning demonstrations in ceramics-making, portrait painting, cartooning and various handicrafts for youth ages pre-kindergarten through high school.

Vital Link’s STEM and The Arts Career Showcase: Vital Link returns with its unique and multi-faceted showcase built to encourage young students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) by featuring a robotic competition, competitive exhibits, displays and workshops.

Building Industry Education Council (BIEC) 24th Annual Design/Build Competition: Watch as future architects and builders compete to see who are the best young home builders in Southern California.

4-H Competitions: Local youth will be judged on their abilities to raise small livestock, their understanding of animal and veterinary science and their display projects on community service, aerospace, entomology, and more.

Youth Projects: Local students show off their talents in art, creative writing, woodworking, fashion and photography.

Youth Chess Tournament: Chess enthusiasts of all ages and levels are invited to compete Saturday, April 13 from Noon-4 p.m. Entry fees are $10 per person and $5 for each additional family member.

Lil’ Sprouts Jr. Farm & Garden Contest: Little green thumbs compete and see who can grow the best fruits, vegetables and flowers. Entries can be delivered on Friday, April 12, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Centennial Farm. No pre-registration or entry fees needed.

Plus: Centennial Farm gardens and animal pens, gourmet food trucks (Saturday & Sunday only), Bubble Rollers, free hay rides, milking demonstrations, carnival rides & games, the Bug Barn, Prehistoric Pets, scavenger hunts, hands-on exhibits, and free family entertainment all day. 

Youth Expo is open Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free all three days and many activities are free of charge. Parking is free Friday and $5 on Saturday and Sunday. For more information about Youth Expo, visit ocfair.com/youthexpo.

The Youth Expo Experience 2013 is sponsored by YMCA OF ORANGE COUNTY, LEGOLAND® California Educational Field Trip programs, and ScholarShare – California 529 College Savings Plan and is underwritten by the OC Fair & Event Center.

2013 Competition Season Starts For the
OC Fair

The 2013 OC Fair is once again inviting locals to put their skills and knowledge to the test and sign up to compete in the many competitions and contests offered this year, covering home and visual arts, woodworking, floral arrangements, table settings, wine and beer-making, livestock and more.

Each competition has a variety of regulations and rules so all interested entrants should read all applicable guides and materials before submitting their application. Most competitions require entry registration by June (wine and beer are even earlier). The full list of competitions and the 2013 OC Fair Competition Guides are available online at ocfair.com/competitions (under “How to Submit”).

Many competitions have a processing fee so interested entrants should remember to bring a major credit card to complete their online entry registration.

Help Days
The Community Relations staff will offer assistance with online entry.
May 29 –May 31
Wednesday –Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
OC Fair & Event Center Administration Building
Enter at Gate 4 off Arlington Drive near Fairview Road

2013 OC Fair Offers Headline Entertainment and Performances July 12-August 11

Select Events On Sale Now

The OC Fair has announced select concert and action sports events for this summer in the Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and the Action Sports Arena. Here are the shows that have been announced so far for the 2013 OC Fair, July 11-August 11:

Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre at the 2013 OC Fair

• July 14 – The Go-Go’s
• July 18 – The B-52s & X
• July 19 – Three Dog Night / The Grass Roots
• July 24 – Austin Mahone / Bridgit Mendler
• July 26 – Weezer
• July 27 – Save Ferris / The English Beat / The Originalites
• July 28 – The Dirty Heads / The Expendables / Common Sense
• July 31 – The Flaming Lips
• August 1 – ZZ Top
• August 2 – Styx
• August 4 – Hunter Hayes / Sara Haze
• August 8 – Daryl Hall & John Oates
• August 9 – Rebelution / Matisyahu / Collie Buddz
• August 10 – Ray Manzarek & Robby Krieger of The Doors with Vocalist Dave Brock
• August 11 – Roger Hodgson - The legendary voice of Supertramp

Visit Ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets.

The Hangar at the 2013 OC Fair

• July 12 – Hotel California – A Salute to The Eagles
• July 13 – Space Oddity – A Tribute to David Bowie
• July 14 – Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez
• July 14 – Lucha Libre
• July 17 – Green Today / Total Distortion – Tributes to Green Day and Social Distortion
• July 18 – Strangelove – The Ultimate Tribute to Depeche Mode
• July 19 – KISSmania – A Tribute to KISS
• July 20 – Hot August Night – A Tribute to Neil Diamond
• July 21 – KIDZ BOP Kids Live (two performances)
• July 21 – dada – The 20th Anniversary
• July 24 – Purple Reign – THE Prince Tribute
• July 25 – The Police Experience / The Distractions – Tributes to The Police and “The Other Elvis”
• July 26 – Journey Unauthorized – A Tribute to the Music of Journey
• July 27 – Heartbreaker – A Live Rock Tribute to Led Zeppelin
• July 28 – Ozomatli
• August 1 – Wanted – The Ultimate Tribute to Bon Jovi
• August 2 – 40 Oz to Freedom – A Tribute to Sublime
• August 3 – Which One’s Pink? - A Fair Forgery of Pink Floyd
• August 8 – Springsteen! – The Ultimate Tribute to The Boss

Visit Ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets.

Action Sports Arena at the 2013 OC Fair

• July 12 – X-Treme Freestyle
  Moto-X
• July 13 – 39th Annual Speedway Fair Derby
• July 14 – SummerFist VI – Mixed Martial Arts
• July 17 & 19 – Extreme Rodeo
• July 18 & 20 – Bull Riding
• July 21 - Fiesta Del Charro
• July 24, 26 & 28 – Monster X Tour: Monster & Tuff Trucks
• July 25 & 27 – Monster X Tour: Monster Trucks & Quad Racing
• July 31 – August 2 – Amazing Dobermans (3 show times each day)
• August 3 – Ultimate Dodgeball Championships
• August 4 – OC Police Canine Association Show (3 show times)
• August 7 & 10 – Orange Crush Demolition Derby
• August 8 & 11 – Motor Home Madness Demolition Derby
• August 9 – Damsels of Destruction Demolition Derby

Visit Ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets.

Concert and action sports tickets always include free OC Fair admission, so plan a full day at the OC Fair. Select shows are currently available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com or from the onsite Box Office during limited days and hours. The remaining concerts and action sports will be announced in the coming months. Sign-up for email alerts at ocfair.com to receive notifications when new shows are announced and go on sale.

Also on sale are single-day general admission tickets online at Ticketmaster.com. Select the TicketFast print-at-home delivery option to skip the online convenience fees. Plus the popular 23-day Super Pass is available for purchase online and at a discount through May. Both single-day admission and Super Pass are available for purchase directly from the onsite Box Office during limited days and hours.

The 2013 OC Fair is July 12-August 11 and is open Wednesday-Sunday. For more information, visit ocfair.com/2013.

Centennial Farm Starts Free Garden Classes Program For Local Thumbs Looking To Be Greener

The OC Fair & Event Center’s Centennial Farm is now offering free garden classes for local green thumbs 16 and older. The monthly Saturday classes will guide attendees through essential tips and techniques for growing the best and most bountiful gardens. Local gardening and horticultural professionals and experienced enthusiasts will lead each class covering planting and caring for fruit trees, lawn care, miniature gardens, native plants, growing vegetables and more.

Upcoming topics include Choosing and Maintaining the Right Lawn for your Landscape (April 27) and Creating a Small Native Garden to Attract Wildlife All Year (May 18).

The Centennial Farm Garden Classes are free of charge and, due to limited space, require online registration for each class. Registration and more details can be found at ocfair.com/centennialfarm (click on “Garden Classes” in the sidebar.)

OC Fair & Event Center
Spring 2013 Events Calendar

The OC Fair & Event Center is sprouting up with exciting events this spring including the Youth Expo Experience, Costa Mesa Speedway, America’s Family Pet Expo, Anatolian Festival and OC Marathon. Here is the full spring 2013 Events Calendar:

April

11 Fight Club OC
An innovative bi-monthly series featuring boxing and mixed martial arts competitive fights with ringside luxury suites, VIP perks for season ticket holders and a happy hour bar and grill for all attendees.

12-14 Youth Expo Experience
Free, three-day annual festival celebrating local youth and their talents with competitive entries and family-friendly entertainment, contests and activities every day.

19-21 America’s Family Pet Expo
The world's largest pet and pet product expo with retailers, groomers, veterinarians, hobbyist groups, humane rescue organizations, humane societies and breeders. Plus, free shows featuring dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles and other top-notch entertainment.

27 Centennial Farm Free Garden Class
Choosing and Maintaining the Right Lawn for your Landscape: John Domenici of Southland Sod will discuss irrigation, varieties of grass available, fertilizer needs and proper maintenance of a lawn. Open to ages 16 and older. Online pre-registration is required.

27 Speedway: Spring Classic/Jack Milne Cup
The Costa Mesa Speedway kicks off its 45th season of racing with an exciting night of motorcycles, sidecar and junior speedway events plus the run for the prestigious "Jack Milne Cup."

27-28   Pacific Coast Sportfishing Festival
and Boat Show
Two-day saltwater sportfishing show with seminars, boats and tons of tackle and equipment for sale plus attendees can check out the latest in sportfishing from the top brands and tips.

May

3-5 OC Marathon and Half Marathon
The OC Marathon and its special events encourage fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Participants can register for the full marathon, the half marathon, the OC Wahoo’s 5K Run/Walk or Kids Run the OC.

10-12 Gem Faire
Three days of gems, beads, fine jewelry, silver, gold, crystals, fossils, minerals, lapidary equipment, imported items and more.

11 Surfing Heritage Vintage Surf Auction
"California Gold" presented by the Quiksilver Waterman Collection is a fundraiser featuring live and silent auctions with vintage surfboards and memorabilia from the 1920s through 1980s and other items to benefit the Surfing Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving surfing’s heritage.

11 Speedway: 45th Season Opener
The 45th season opener of Speedway Motorcycle Racing by the Costa Mesa Speedway offers an exciting night of speedway, PW-50’s and juniors racing.

18 Centennial Farm Free Garden Class
Creating a Small Native Garden to Attract Wildlife All Year: Mike Evans will discuss the concept of “ecological design,” the technique of using natural ecosystems as the models for native gardens and will demonstrate how to create aesthetically pleasing landscapes that will save water and attract wildlife. Open to ages 16 and older. Online pre-registration is required.

18 Speedway: Harley Night
The Costa Mesa Speedway offers an exciting night of speedway motorcycles, sidecars and Harley and Chopper racing.

16-19 Anatolian Cultures & Food Festival
Four-day cultural and historical event including exhibitions, food, arts, crafts, activities, performances, dancers and live music.

June

1-2 Crossroads of the West Gun Show
For more than 30 years, the Crossroads of the West Gun Shows has been the largest and highest quality gun show on the West Coast.

1 Costa Mesa Speedway
The Costa Mesa Speedway offers an exciting night of motorcycles, sidecars, junior speedway and PW-50’s racing. Plus, Speedway will hold the School of Skid for amateurs interested in speedway racing.

6 Fight Club OC
An innovative bi-monthly series featuring boxing and mixed martial arts competitive fights with ringside luxury suites, VIP perks for season ticket holders and a happy hour bar and grill for all attendees.

8 Speedway: National Championship Qualifier Round 1
The Costa Mesa Speedway offers an exciting night of speedway motorcycle racing qualifiers for the October championships.

9 BrideWorld Expo
One-day expo with professionals offering photography, catering, floral, gowns, tuxedos, invitations and more. Plus enjoy free magazines, shopping bags, fashion shows and planning seminars.

15 Costa Mesa Speedway
The Costa Mesa Speedway offers an exciting night of motorcycles, junior speedway and PW-50’s racing.

22 Speedway: Freestyle Motocross
The Costa Mesa Speedway offers an exciting night of speedway motorcycle racing and freestyle motocross jumpers.

Additionally, visitors to OCFEC can also enjoy these events weekly:

Food Truck Fare – Two Times a Week (Free admission & parking)
Each week, local foodies have two chances to enjoy a gourmet food truck meal:
-Wednesdays (After Dark) offer a variety of gourmet food trucks for a unique dinner under the stars, plus enjoy entertainment and a cash bar from 5:30-9 p.m.
-Thursdays (Lunch) offers another variety of gourmet food trucks for a tasty lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Farmers Market (Free admission & parking)
Each Thursday, peruse this California-certified farmers’ market selling fruits, nuts and vegetables directly to the public from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Orange County Market Place ($2 admission)
Open Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m.-4 p.m., this weekend swap meet offers a celebration of food, fun, value and the entrepreneurial spirit.

Events, pricing and hours are subject to change. Please visit ocfair.com for the latest information.

If you are an event promoter or are looking for a unique place to hold your next private event, check out OCFEC’s diverse outdoor and indoor facilities. For a specialized pricing quote for your event needs and desired dates, please contact Mark Wolf at (714) 708-1539 or email mwolf [at] ocfair [dot] com.

Crews Begin First Phase of Pacific Amphitheatre Renovations

As part of the property-wide Master Plan approved by the OC Fair & Event Center’s Board of Directors in 2003, the Pacific Amphitheatre is going through some major changes. This past February, crews started the first of two phases of the major construction which involves a reconfiguration of the berm that will allow for more event space within the property and a more intimate experience inside the Pacific Amphitheatre.

In the second phase, slated to begin after the 2013 OC Fair, a lobby will be added directly connecting the Pacific Amphitheatre to the interior of the property.

Visit ocfair.com/construction for the latest updates and photos of the progress.

A Message from the President & CEO

Jerome Hoban OC Fair & Event Center President & CEO

“We’re Revving Up for a Busy Spring & Summer

The OC Fair & Event Center has been a-buzz with preparations for our biggest events of the year (Youth Expo Experience and OC Fair) and the beginning of major renovations at the Pacific Amphitheatre.

The first phase of the renovations of our premiere entertainment venue, Pacific Amphitheatre, focuses on the berm, which will be made narrower and steeper, creating a more intimate concert experience in the venue and allowing for more event space outside of the venue in the Park Plaza area. In the second phase, slated to begin after the 2013 OC Fair, a new lobby will be erected, providing direct access between the Pacific Amphitheatre and the rest of the property.

Staff are also eagerly preparing for the annual Youth Expo Experience (April 12-14), which showcases the talents of local children in a variety of academic and artistic challenges. We are excited to welcome back Vital Link with its STEM and The Arts Showcase, which is designed to entice children to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). We are also welcoming back the BIEC Design Build Competition, 4-H, Girl Scouts and a number of local non-profit organizations for the three-day celebration. Visit ocfair.com/youthexpo for more details.

Not be overlooked, the 2013 OC Fair is ramping up with a variety of shows already announced for our three main venues: Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena. More than half of the 2013 shows are already on sale and include hit makers like The Go-Go’s, ZZ Top, Styx, Weezer and Hunter Hayes in Pacific Amphitheatre, performances by dada, Mariachi Sol de Mexico, KIDZ BOP and a plethora of rocking tribute bands in The Hangar, and action-packed events like demolition derby, monster trucks and speedway in the Action Sports Arena.

The competitive season has begun as entry registrations are flying in to see who has the best quilts, cakes, photos and more in this year’s OC Fair Competitive Entries. Don’t miss out on the chance to showcase your skills at this year’s summer Fair; entry deadlines are closing in.

We look forward to welcoming Southern California families to the Youth Expo later this month, the OC Fair this summer and all the great events held at the OC Fair & Event Center in-between.