OC Fair & Event Center facts for kids

The OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) is a huge event place in Costa Mesa, California. It covers about 150 acres (0.61 square kilometers). This center hosts over 150 events each year, bringing in 4.3 million visitors! It's home to the famous Orange County Fair, a special farm called Centennial Farm, the Costa Mesa Speedway, and the Pacific Amphitheatre.

The OCFEC is managed by a group called the 32nd District Agricultural Association. This group was created in 1949 by the state of California to manage fairs and events. Its leaders are chosen by the Governor of California.

Fun Places to Visit

• Centennial Farm is a real working farm that's open all year. It's a great place for young people to learn about farming and where our food comes from. The farm has gardens with fruits and vegetables, plus barns with animals. One of the barns used to be part of the Newport Harbor Buffalo Ranch, a fun park from the 1950s.
• Heroes Hall is a museum and learning center for veterans, open all year. It shares the amazing stories of veterans from Orange County. The museum is in an old building that was once a barracks (a place where soldiers lived) on the Santa Ana Army Air Base. This base used to be right where the fairgrounds are now!
• The Equestrian Center is a place for horses, open all year. It's run by a private group and offers horse boarding and training. The center can house 188 horses and has four riding areas. They also offer riding lessons for people of all skill levels.
• Pacific Amphitheatre is a large outdoor concert venue. It can seat about 8,000 people. Concerts and shows happen here from July through September.
• Action Sports Arena is a big arena with 7,000 seats. It's used during the annual Orange County Fair for exciting events. It's also the home of the Costa Mesa Speedway, where you can watch thrilling races.
• The Hangar is an indoor concert hall. It hosts events during the Orange County Fair and other events throughout the year, like Fight Club OC.

A Look Back: History of the Fairgrounds

The very first county fair in Orange County happened in 1890 in Santa Ana. Different groups managed the fair over the years. In 1925, the fair moved to Anaheim.

After World War II, the state bought land that was once the Santa Ana Army Air Base. This land became the fairgrounds we know today. It became part of the city of Costa Mesa when the city was formed in 1953.

The fairgrounds have also hosted important events. In 2009, President Barack Obama held a town hall meeting here. In 2016, then-candidate Donald Trump also held a campaign rally at the site.

Plan to Sell the Fairgrounds

In May 2009, the Governor at the time, Arnold Schwarzenegger, suggested selling the Orange County Fairgrounds. He thought the fairgrounds were "extra" land that wasn't being used enough. However, the fairgrounds actually welcome over a million visitors every year and are used almost every day for community activities.

Many people were upset about the idea of selling this public land. A group called the Orange County Fairgrounds Preservation Society quickly worked to stop the sale. They believed that selling the land was a bad idea and against the law.

A public auction was planned, but two lawsuits were filed, which stopped the sale. These lawsuits gave the new Governor, Jerry Brown, time to make a final decision.

What the Fairgrounds Board Said

On January 27, 2011, the leaders of the OCFEC (the Board of Directors) made a statement. They said:

We believe that the 32nd District Agricultural Association and Orange County Fair belong in public hands. As such, the Board of Directors have instructed its Sale Committee to engage with the Governor's office in a meaningful negotiation regarding revenue sharing as a possible way to work with the State in the financial crisis that we're experiencing.

This meant they wanted the fairgrounds to stay owned by the public. They also offered to work with the state government to share money.

What the Governor Said

In February 2011, California Governor Jerry Brown spoke to the Los Angeles Times. He said that it wasn't a good time to sell real estate. He also believed that his predecessor's plan to sell the fairgrounds would have cost taxpayers more money in the long run. This was good news for those who wanted to keep the fairgrounds public.