The 32nd District Agricultural Association, which oversees the Orange County Fairgrounds, has mismanaged the equestrian center since it took the reins two years ago. Misuse of hundreds of thousands of dollars and questionable contracts will shutter all existing public lesson and non-profit programs by the end of this year. Residents should demand a full audit of financial and resource management.
Tag: 32nd District Agricultural Association
Posted inGovernment
State Proposal to Relax Control of Local Fairgrounds Across California Sparks Privatization Fears
State officials aren’t saying much in public about a proposal to change the governance structure over its large public lands, raising privatization concerns. OC Fair officials plan on bringing the conversation out into the open this week.
Posted inGovernment
OC Fair Board Punts Talks on Evading Potential State Gun Show Ban; State Senator Warns of Legal Action
It’s still unclear whether the fair will try to save its gun shows for next year before a potential state law banning them takes effect, amid a showdown between the bill’s author and fair officials.
Posted inEquality & Equity
OC Fair Reopens Friday As Debates Over Its Identity, Policies Could Reshape Local Image
As the OC Fair reopens this Friday in-person, debates over the fair’s identity, role, and image persist.
Posted inNEWS
OC Fair Officials Say They Have No Plans to Remove Pride Flag Amid Outcry
Meanwhile, fair officials face ongoing questions about how they can better represent Orange County’s nonwhite communities.
Posted inNEWS
OC Fair Seeks Public Input on Removing the Pride Flag While Annual Event Faces Diversity Questions
Attempts by some locals to remove the Pride Flag from the OC Fairgrounds and an identity crisis at the fair will collide on Jan. 20.
Posted inNEWS
What Should Orange County’s Fairgrounds Look Like in the Future, Who Should It Serve?
Due to COVID-19 impacts, California may be setting the stage to relinquish state control of some of its fairs. Meanwhile, OC’s Fairgrounds faces an identity crisis.
Posted inNEWS
OC Fair Audit Shows $220K in Improper Expenses, Travel, and Unreported Theft
The audit spans a year, 2018, in which the OC Fair and Events Center was under leadership of former CEO Kathy Kramer, who was fired by the Fair Board in late 2019.
