Orange County Fair & Exposition Center
Encyclopedia
The OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) is a 150 acre (0.607029 km²) event venue in Costa Mesa
, California
. The site hosts over 150 events attracting 4.3 million visitors annually, and is home to the Orange County Fair
, Centennial Farm, Costa Mesa Speedway
, and Pacific Amphitheatre
.
The OCFEC is managed by the 32nd District Agricultural Association, a state special-purpose district
in the Division of Fairs and Expositions of the California Department of Food and Agriculture formed in 1949. Its board is appointed by the Governor of California
.
in 1890 in Santa Ana
, the county seat
. In 1894, it was taken over by another group, the Orange County Fair Association. In 1916, it was passed again to the Orange County Farm Bureau, before passing to an Orange County Fair Board in 1925, when it was relocated to Anaheim
.
After World War II, the state formed the current association and purchased land then occupied by the Santa Ana Army Air Base
for use as the fairgrounds, which became part of the City of Costa Mesa at the latter's incorporation in 1953.
On March 18, 2009, this venue was also the host of a town hall meeting held by President Barack Obama
on his visit to Southern California. He used this opportunity to address the economic crisis and to take questions from the audience.
33°40′0"N 117°54′4"W
Costa Mesa, California
Costa Mesa is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 109,960 at the 2010 census. Since its incorporation in 1953, the city has grown from a semi-rural farming community of 16,840 to a primarily suburban and "edge" city with an economy based on retail, commerce, and light...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The site hosts over 150 events attracting 4.3 million visitors annually, and is home to the Orange County Fair
Orange County Fair (California)
The Orange County Fair, abbreviated as the OC Fair, is a 23-day annual fair that is held every summer at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California.-History:...
, Centennial Farm, Costa Mesa Speedway
Costa Mesa Speedway
Costa Mesa Speedway in Costa Mesa, California USA is a major motorsports venue credited with the renaissance of motorcycle speedway racing in Southern California....
, and Pacific Amphitheatre
Pacific Amphitheatre
The Pacific Amphitheatre is an amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California, USA. The amphitheatre is located on the grounds of the OC Fair & Event Center....
.
The OCFEC is managed by the 32nd District Agricultural Association, a state special-purpose district
Special-purpose district
Special-purpose districts or special district governments in the United States are independent governmental units that exist separately from, and with substantial administrative and fiscal independence from, general purpose local governments such as county, municipal, and township governments. As...
in the Division of Fairs and Expositions of the California Department of Food and Agriculture formed in 1949. Its board is appointed by the Governor of California
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
.
Facilities
- The Centennial Farm is a working farm for educating youth about agriculture located in the southwest of the property. The Farm has fruit and vegetable gardens as well as livestock barns. One of the barns was originally part of the Newport Harbor Buffalo RanchBuffalo RanchBuffalo Ranch was a famous tourist attraction which was operated on in what is today Newport Beach, California by Gene Clark of the Irvine Company and the grandson of the famous Indian chief Geronimo. It was the first outside business to be allowed onto land owned by The Irvine Company. The ranch...
, a local 1950's era theme park that closed in 1959. - The Equestrian Center is a year-round, privately operated horse boarding and training facility in the northeast of the site. The facility has a boarding capacity of 188 horses with four riding arenas, three hot walkers, turnout pens, storage lockers and ample parking. Center staff are available for full- or part-time training and riding lessons for people of all ability levels.
- The Orange County Market Place is an outdoor swap meetFlea marketA flea market or swap meet is a type of bazaar where inexpensive or secondhand goods are sold or bartered. It may be indoors, such as in a warehouse or school gymnasium; or it may be outdoors, such as in a field or under a tent...
held in the southeast of the property. - The Pacific AmphitheatrePacific AmphitheatreThe Pacific Amphitheatre is an amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California, USA. The amphitheatre is located on the grounds of the OC Fair & Event Center....
is an outdoor arena seating approximately 8,500.
History
The Orange County Community Fair Corporation sponsored the first county fairCounty Fair
"County Fair" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was originally released as the second track on their 1962 album Surfin' Safari. On November 26th of that year, it was released as the B-side to The Beach Boys' third single, "Ten Little...
in 1890 in Santa Ana
Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana is the county seat and second most populous city in Orange County, California, and with a population of 324,528 at the 2010 census, Santa Ana is the 57th-most populous city in the United States....
, the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
. In 1894, it was taken over by another group, the Orange County Fair Association. In 1916, it was passed again to the Orange County Farm Bureau, before passing to an Orange County Fair Board in 1925, when it was relocated to Anaheim
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
.
After World War II, the state formed the current association and purchased land then occupied by the Santa Ana Army Air Base
Santa Ana Army Air Base
Santa Ana Army Air Base was an air base built during World War II that was decommissioned in 1946. The air base was used for basic training but did not have planes, hangars or runways. The base was and located in Costa Mesa between Baker Street on the north, Harbor Blvd. on the west, Wilson...
for use as the fairgrounds, which became part of the City of Costa Mesa at the latter's incorporation in 1953.
On March 18, 2009, this venue was also the host of a town hall meeting held by President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
on his visit to Southern California. He used this opportunity to address the economic crisis and to take questions from the audience.
Mission
The OCFEC provides educational, entertainment and recreational opportunities for the general public and preserves the heritage of California agriculture. This is achieved by showcasing the talents, interests and accomplishments of the citizens of California, especially Orange County residents. Our mission is served through the annual OC Fair, The Ranch, Youth Expo and more than 100 events throughout the year.External links
33°40′0"N 117°54′4"W