The Majesty and the History of the Orange County Great Park

As you know by now, this land used to be a Marine Air Base And the United States Department of the U.S. Navy was involved. After a most unusual and very complicated bidding process, the City of Irvine And the Lennar Corp. acquired the land, with many problems yet to be solved. Something of long [...]

34th Annual Staser Fall Scholastic Chess Tournament

Presented by the Orange County Great Park and American Chess Equipment

NOVEMBER 18, 2009 – IRVINE, California – Young chess players are invited to challenge their creative minds at the 34th Annual Staser Fall Scholastic Chess Tournament. Presented by the Orange County Great Park and American Chess Equipment, the event will be held on Saturday, November 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Great Park. [...]

El Toro Homecoming Recap

On November 7, nearly 100 veterans returned with their families to the site of the former Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), El Toro to be honored at the 2009 El Toro Homecoming. The El Toro Homecoming paid tribute to those who shared and documented their lives and memories through the El Toro Marine Corps Air [...]

Spice Up Your Life—Grow Your Own Herbs Holiday Crafts from the Garden

Garden Workshops at Great Park Farm and Food Lab

NOVEMBER 11, 2009 – IRVINE, California – Imagine being able to harvest herbs right outside your kitchen window or creating wonderful hand-made gifts. The Orange County Great Park concludes its fall 2009 Garden Workshops series with two unique and exciting classes to show you how to grow herbs to add a wonderful taste and aroma to [...]

Holiday Park Hours (2009)

The winter holidays are fast-approaching! Find out when the Great Park Balloon and Preview Park will be open during the weeks and months ahead. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Visitor Center at (866) 829-3829 (toll-free). DATE HOLIDAY PREVIEW PARK GREAT PARK BALLOON Nov 11 Veteran’s Day Closed Closed Nov 26 [...]

Great Park Honors its Heritage at 2009 El Toro Homecoming

Voices of El Toro's Historic Past Honored in Tribute

NOVEMBER 7, 2009 – IRVINE, California – Veteran’s Day came two days early at the Orange County Great Park when nearly 100 veterans returned with their families to the site of the former Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), El Toro to be honored at the 2009 El Toro Homecoming. The El Toro Homecoming paid tribute to those [...]

34th Annual Staser Fall Scholastic Chess Tournament

Presented by the Orange County Great Park and American Chess Equipment

November 21, 2009 10:00 am–3:00 pm, at the Great Park – Map Free Parking & Admission REGISTRATION (Grades K-12) Please register in advance by emailing amchesseq [at] aol.com by Friday, November 20 at 6:00 pm. Provide your complete name, grade, and school. There is no entry fee as the tournament is free to all scholastic [...]

Great Park Board Green Lights $65.5 Million in Construction Projects

Sports park, art and exhibition buildings, agricultural pavillion, community farm and farmer's market

OCTOBER 22, 2009 – IRVINE, California – The Orange County Great Park Board today approved $65.5 million in construction projects to develop land to enhance the visitors’ experience at the Great Park. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2011 with a number of features completed by the end of 2010. “Today marks an [...]

Sky High Great Park Jack O’Lantern Signals Arrival of Pumpkin Harvest

October 24th Event to Benefit Two Local Food Banks

OCTOBER 14, 2009 – IRVINE, California – The Orange County Great Park Balloon is already dressed for Halloween. The giant flying jack-o’-lantern signals the arrival of the second annual Great Park Pumpkin Harvest, a Halloween celebration and food drive benefiting the Orange County Food Bank and the Second Harvest Food Bank. As kids and adults alike enjoy [...]

Great Park Movie on the Lawn

"The Dark Knight"

OCTOBER 2, 2009 – IRVINE, California – Come to the Great Park and watch Batman protect the people of Gotham City and engage in epic battles with super villains. The 2008 Academy Award winning movie thriller “The Dark Knight” staring legendary actor Heath Ledger as the Joker will be the next Great Park Movie on the Lawn. [...]