Fairgrounds History | Orange County Fair Preservation Society

2000's -
Attendance increased to record levels in the first years of the Fair’s new century, growing to 808,810 in 2000 and to an all-time high of 843,347 in 2001. Fairgoers were attracted by concert artists such as Jose Feliciano, the Everly Brothers, Isaac Hayes, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Charo, Chubby Checker, Billy Ray Cyrus, Hall & Oates, Gallagher and Lee Greenwood. Everything was “Hot! Hot! Hot!” as the theme of the 2000 Fair saluted hot peppers and how they spice up our lives. In 2001, the Fair’s theme of “Twist & Shout” celebrated the importance of citrus and sun to Orange County specifically and California in general. Irvin C. Chapman, who served 27 years on the Fair Board and whose father C.C. Chapman was considered the father of Orange County’s Valencia orange industry, was honored during 2001 opening day ceremonies. A “Blossom to Awesome” display related the citrus industry’s local history. Millennium Barn, which at 47 feet became the fair’s tallest building, opened in time for the 2000 Fair. Among most popular attractions of the 2000s were the All-Alaskan Racing Pigs and hypnotist Mark Yuzuik, whose skills brought out the singing, dancing and star potential of selected members of his audiences. Shade areas were extended for fairgoers’ comfort. Thrill seekers found satisfaction with the huge Euroslide and the 15-story high La Grande Wheel, which provided a panoramic view of much of Orange County. The 2001 Fair also saluted the 50^th anniversary of the “I Love Lucy” TV show with an interactive exhibit/museum and a Lucy look-alike contest. In 2005, the Fair broke the million-visitor mark for the first time with 1,058,192 fairgoers attending that year. The lucky millionth visitor, 7-year old Rebecca Harris of Anaheim, was awarded a lifetime pass to the Fair to mark the record-breaker.