Every July, the OC Fair turns up the volume in Costa Mesa with deep-fried everything, live concerts, prize-winning pigs, and more than a million SoCal locals looking for a good time. But before any of that magic happens, the fairgrounds get a major visual makeover—and that’s where CR&A Custom comes in.
From giant stage graphics and city-wide street pole banners to colorful barricade wraps and wayfinding signs that keep the crowds moving, our CR&A team was behind almost every printed surface at the OC Fair. This isn’t our first rodeo with the OC Fair team. They trust us because we don’t just print pretty stuff—we manage the chaos from concept to cleanup.
Here’s a full rundown of what we designed, printed, installed, and (yep) uninstalled for one of California’s biggest public events.
Big Graphics for Big Shows at The Pacific Amphitheatre
Let’s start with the showstopper: The Pacific Amphitheatre. This outdoor venue hosts some of the fair’s biggest names in music, comedy, and entertainment, and it needs to look like the main event every night of the OC Fair.
We printed and installed bold, high-impact stage graphics that framed the performances and showcased event sponsors at the OC Promenade. These weren’t flimsy backdrops either—we’re talking durable, color-rich materials engineered to hold up under hot stage lights and long nights of SoCal summer air.
CR&A Custom also produced custom sponsorship signage throughout the venue: branded backdrops for press photos, hanging banners, and directional signage guiding guests to seats, concessions, and merch. Everything had to be on brand, perfectly color-matched, and professionally mounted. That’s where our in-house design, prepress, and install teams shine.
Taking Over the Streets with City-Wide Street Pole Banners
You couldn’t drive through Costa Mesa without seeing the OC Fair’s street pole banners lining major corridors. CR&A Custom handled all of it—from print production to street installation.
These double-sided vinyl pole banners are more than just pretty promos. They’re high-visibility brand impressions that build anticipation in the weeks leading up to opening day. Our banners were UV-printed to withstand California sunshine and finished with reinforced pole pockets and wind slits for extra durability. Each one had to be measured, matched, and mounted with precision.
Our install crew worked hand-in-hand with city permit teams and utility departments to make sure everything was up safely and on time—because when it comes to public-facing graphics, there’s no room for guesswork.
Wrapping the Entry Kiosks: First Impressions Matter
The entry kiosks are the front door to the fairgrounds, and for many guests, they’re the first branded moment they see. This year, we completely wrapped these structures with bold, full-color printed vinyl graphics that made them pop.
Designed to hold up through heavy foot traffic and long days in the sun, these wrapped kiosks helped orient visitors, reinforce branding, and kick off the fair experience with flair. The look was clean, consistent, and totally custom—just how we like it.
Barricade Covers That Bring the Fun
You’ve probably seen barricade covers at major events—but at the OC Fair, they’re not just functional, they’re part of the design. CR&A Custom produced custom-printed barricade graphics throughout the fairgrounds that added color and branding to what would otherwise be basic metal barriers.
From directional signage to sponsor shoutouts to playful designs that matched this year’s fair theme, we printed and installed hundreds of linear feet of barricade wraps. These graphics were finished with tension-fit hardware for a snug, professional look that held up through crowds, strollers, and the occasional goat on the loose.
Wayfinding That Actually Works
The OC Fairgrounds are huge, and keeping foot traffic flowing smoothly is no joke. Our solution? A full system of custom-printed wayfinding signage that helped people find everything from the funnel cake stand to the goat barn.
We designed and produced:
Directional A-frame signs
Hanging vinyl banners for major zones
Oversized tent identifiers for livestock and exhibit areas
Map kiosks and venue guides
All printed in-house, color-matched to the fair’s palette, and installed by our expert crews to exact specifications. When it comes to event navigation, we believe signs should be just as friendly and fun as the fair itself—without sacrificing clarity. We even printed the window graphics for the glass door entryways to Anaheim Haill.
Livestock Tent Banners: Because Even the Pigs Deserve a Great Entrance
Yes, we even make cows and goats look good. Each of the livestock pavilions and animal exhibit tents got its own set of CR&A Custom interior and exterior hanging banners. These helped designate different animal areas, promoted educational programming, and gave sponsors some valuable visibility.
These banners were printed on durable, heavy-duty vinyl that resists wind, dirt, and animal curiosity. We reinforced every grommet, measured every drop, and installed each banner to align with structural elements in these massive temporary pavilions.
One Vendor, Every Detail
Why does the OC Fair trust CR&A Custom with a job this big? Because we manage it all. Our full-service approach means the Fair doesn’t have to juggle multiple vendors or cross their fingers that each team shows up on time. With us, they get:
In-house design support to help bring big ideas to life
Top-of-the-line digital printing for vivid colors and consistent quality
Precision finishing for banners, wraps, and signage that hold up all month long
Experienced installers who know how to get the job done in complex public spaces
Seamless deinstallation that wraps up the event cleanly and responsibly
When you're hosting over a million guests, every detail matters. From first impressions at the gate to Instagram-worthy backdrops and sponsor moments that pay off, our graphics help the OC Fair create a fully immersive branded experience.
Ready to Print Your Next Big Event?
Whether you’re planning a major public event or just need your venue to look its best, CR&A Custom is here to help. We’re not just printers—we’re partners in production. If the OC Fair trusts us to handle hundreds of printed elements across city streets and fairgrounds, imagine what we can do for your next event.
Let’s print something big together.
Written by: Carmen Rad June 30, 2025
