35 years of fresh farm fun, education at the Centennial Farm
Rhys Meyer, left, and his mother, Erin Meyer of Huntington Beach pet Pongo as his handler Olivia Carlucci, right, holds him still during the 35th anniversary celebration of Centennial Farm at the OC Fair and Event Center on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bessie the cow wore a birthday hat at the entrance as the Centennial Farm at the OC Fair and Event Center holds its 35th anniversary celebration on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Crosby Schwer, 7, of Newport Beach rides a barrel horse as the Centennial Farm at the OC Fair and Event Center holds its 35th anniversary celebration on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Attendees eat lunch on the lawn during the 35th anniversary celebration of Centennial Farm at the OC Fair and Event Center on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A child reaches to touch one of the baby chicks in a large box as the Centennial Farm at the OC Fair and Event Center holds its 35th anniversary celebration on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chocolate chip cookies and boysenberry pie were the dessert for those that attended the 35th anniversary celebration of Centennial Farm at the OC Fair and Event Center on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Sky Island Ramblers from left: Morgan Burrell, Harry Solman and Craig Christy, play during the 35th anniversary celebration of Centennial Farm at the OC Fair and Event Center on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Rhys Meyer, left, and his mother, Erin Meyer of Huntington Beach have their photo taken with Pongo and his handler Olivia Carlucci, second from right, by Nik Kieler, right, during the 35th anniversary celebration of Centennial Farm at the OC Fair and Event Center on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Baby chicks are one of the many attractions as the Centennial Farm at the OC Fair and Event Center holds its 35th anniversary celebration on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Attendees line up for lunch outside the Millennium Barn during the 35th anniversary celebration of Centennial Farm at the OC Fair and Event Center on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Rhys Meyer, left, and his mother, Erin Meyer of Huntington Beach pet Pongo as his handler Olivia Carlucci, right, holds him still during the 35th anniversary celebration of Centennial Farm at the OC Fair and Event Center on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The OC Fair & Event Center is celebrating its Centennial Farm, which has been showcasing farm life and educating the community on where food comes from for 35 years.
Since its debut as a learning destination, the Centennial Farm has taught more than 1 million children about agriculture and Orange County farming history.
“(I) decided to build a farm where kids could come and go on tour and see where their food comes from because I think a lot of people take their food for granted,” Bailey said in a 2009 interview. He died in 2015. “They don’t know where it comes from or care as long as it’s available.”
The 3.5-acre, working farm features several programs highlighting various aspects of farming. There is the Millennium Barn, where milking demonstrations are held, and the gardens, where fruits and vegetables are grown. For a small donation fee, there is a bin from which visitors can purchase the produce that is ripe. The farm also has various animals, including pigs, cows and sheep – the livestreaming pig cam is a fan favorite.
Kids have always been a key part of the Centennial Farm’s demographic. Two variants of traditional school tours, a shorter and guided “Junior Farmer Tour” for younger guests and a longer and self-guided “Discovery Days” for all ages, are popular and offered throughout much of the year.
The Centennial Farm and Millennium Barn are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Sundays, though they are closed on holidays and during the OC Fair and other all-grounds events. Check online for upcoming classes and workshops planned.
