Fairgrounds History | Orange County Fair Preservation Society

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1949 - The Orange County Fair was relocated to an old army base, which became part of Costa Mesa. The State of California purchased the property for $130,195.   

1969 - Market Place opened 

1980 – The Fairgrounds Equestrian Center was constructed in the northeast portion of the fairgrounds on 15 acres.   

1989 – The OC Fair & Event Center dedicated three acres to create a working farm known as “Centennial Farm.”  The idea was not only to promote Orange County’s rice agricultural history.   

2003 – Equestrian Center cut in half.   

2003- The Orange County Fair and Exposition Center is an economic, social and cultural treasure for local communities.  In 2002, the fair organization contributed roughly $185.2 million in economic impact to Los Angeles, Orange and Sand Diego counties, created 2,184 local jobs and generated more than $2.3 million in local tax revenues.   

2005 - Name changed to “OC Fair and Event Center” 

2008 – Fair Board decides they want to eliminate the Equestrian Center in favor of “flat flexible space”. 

2010 – More than just a Fairgrounds; the Orange County Fair and Events Center is the jewel of Orange County.   Equestrian Center is open daily.  Thursday Farmers Market and weekend is the Market Place.  Orange Coast College uses the fairgrounds for parking on weekdays.  Other events that come to the Center are;  Crossroads of the West Gun Show, Sugar Plum Arts & Crafts Festival, Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, The Gem Faire, Pet Expo, Costa Mesa Speedway, Persian Faire, OC Marathon, Motorsports Expo, Youth Expo, BrideWorld Expo, Sand Sports Super Show and more……….