Great Park Celebrates 7th Anniversary at Growing the Park Event on July 14

• Event features airshow-style aerial performances, military and vintage vehicle displays, sports activities, art exhibitions and fireworks spectacular
• Media encouraged to RSVP for media parking

CONTACT: MARCUS GINNATY 949-724-6574
WHAT:	Members of the media are invited to cover the Orange County Great Park's Growing the Park 7th anniversary celebration. More than 25,000 people are expected to attend this summer's premier free family event.
RSVP FOR MEDIA	Members of the media are encouraged to RSVP with Great Park Public Information Officer Marcus Ginnaty for media parking. Marcus Ginnaty 949-724-6574 [e-mail] On-site media check-in will be located inside the Visitor Center near the Great Park balloon.
EVENT DETAILS:	The Growing the Park celebration is an annual event that showcases the programs, community partnerships and development of the Great Park. Watch vintage military planes honoring 100 years of Marine aviation and the daring Silver Wings Wing walking team soar through the sky, enjoy community performances and live music. Kids can test their athletic skills with sports activities, including exhibits from the LA Galaxy and Cal South Soccer as well as the LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks. See the sky light up with a spectacular fireworks finale. Every section of the Great Park will be programmed with fun and engaging family activities across five themed zones. The Runway Zone honors military history featuring vintage aircraft and military vehicle displays, the Silver Wings Wingwalking team, skydiver performances, bi-plane acrobatics, and aerial entertainment, a Retro Air Designs shopping area, a flight simulator and more. The Great Park Gallery Zone includes the Palm Court Arts Complex and showcases the preview of the Farmers to Flyers exhibition in the Great Park Gallery, featuring historic photographs, artifacts, audio and video displays that tell the MCAS El Toro as part of the dramatic changes that occurred in Southern California in the second half of the 20th century. Visitors can also enjoy interactive storyteller Jim Cogan as he presents a fascinating, dramatic and adventurous journey through the history and lore of Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. The Artists Studios will feature current Great Park Artist-In-Residence Andre Woodward and his unique sculptures. The Back Forty Zone includes the Farm + Food Lab and celebrates Orange County's agricultural history with hands-on agricultural craft activities, cooking demonstrations and interactive community partner booths. The Outfield Zone features sports, health and wellness activities and includes field games and soccer demonstrations by representatives of the LA Galaxy and the Cal South Soccer on the North Lawn. LA Galaxy representatives will challenge visitors to improve their soccer skills with an interactive exhibit, soccer clinics and demonstrations from the LA Galaxy Futboleros. Other activities on the North Lawn will include an obstacle course and a preview of games to be featured at the Great Summer Games 2012 on July 28, including vertical jump, broad jump and SNAG golf. The Sky's the Limit Zone includes the Kids Rock Playground, kite flying and kite making, a variety of exhibits and activities, food trucks, live music performances and offers a great place to view the aerial performances and the fireworks spectacular.
WHO:	Interview opportunities with:
	Beth Krom, Chair, Orange County Great Park Corporation Sukhee Kang, Mayor, City of Irvine, Director, Orange County Great Park Corporation
WHEN:	SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2012 Event timing: 3:00 - 9:30 p.m. (fireworks at 9 p.m.) Media interview opportunities:
	2:30 - 3:00 p.m. 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
WHERE:	Orange County Great Park Off the 5 and 405 Freeway at Sand Canyon in Irvine. Primary entrance will be at Marine Way off of Sand Canyon. The alternate entrance to the event will be Trabuco Road off of Sand Canyon.

CONTACT: Marcus Ginnaty, [phone], [e-mail]

/PRNewswire -- July 11, 2012/

SOURCE Orange County Great Park