The 2024 Orange County Fair is right around the corner. The fair, with the theme “Always a Good Time,” runs from Friday, July 19 through Sunday, August 18^, with Monday and Tuesday dark. Just as last year, the daily attendance will be limited, so make your plans early.

The Courtyard is, by far, our largest fundraiser and each year brings in many of our new members. The committee has been making all the preparations for a smooth and fun summer. The set-up team plans to have everything ready to go the week before the opening.

This year, The Courtyard will look much the same as last year, with high top tables and a tasting area near the Featured Winery Bar. There will be plenty of the fabulous award- winning wines to taste.

For members new to The Courtyard and anyone wishing to attend, training for servers is scheduled for Saturday, July 13 at 11 a.m. in The Courtyard. For experienced servers who would like to train as a steward, training is scheduled for the same day at 10 a.m. in the Courtyard. Cashier training will be July 11 at 6 p.m. in The Courtyard. Managers will receive information regarding training and meetings.

Fair credentials, parking passes and information will be mailed to reach everyone during the first part of July. Your credentials are valid for everyday of the fair, including sold out days. However, if you are bringing someone who needs a ticket, it must be purchased in advance.

Check out ocfair.com for up-to-date information on entertainment and ticket purchases. Plan for a fun summer and “Always a Good Time.” See you at the fair!

—Fred Heinecke,
OCWS Director and Co-Chair of The Courtyard Committee

Courtyard Set-Up

If you enjoy using power drills and stepladders, and wearing clothes you don’t mind getting grubby, this event is for you. We are already working to get The Courtyard for the OC Fair and you can be a big part of it all too.

Volunteers will be needed to set up over three days to make this special place, which serves award-winning wines, ready for fairgoers. The Courtyard is one of the biggest sources of funds that are used for OCWS scholarships.

Set-up is scheduled each day, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. on July 9-11. The scheduled tear-down date is Monday, August 19 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

During the shifts, we will not be handling any wines. It is not the same as server shifts and RBS is not required.

Members can sign up for any or all four dates with me at Les@ocws.org, and lunches and parking will be provided. Please contact me with any questions.

Thank you for making 2024 Always a Good Time at The Courtyard!

—Leslie Hodowanec, 2024 Courtyard Set Up/Tear Down Coordinator

One Month Closer!

  You must be RBS certified before signing up to volunteer AT the Courtyard. Here’s how:

 Before we know it, the OC Fair will be upon us again. The largest OCWS fundraising effort of the year will be taking place for a total of 23 days, Wednesdays through Sundays, July 19 through August 18.

Volunteering at The Courtyard is a unique and fun experience. Beginning next month, you will be seeing information about signing up for shifts but, in the meantime, it is important to know that all Courtyard volunteers handling wine in any capacity are required to be RBS (Responsible Beverage Server) certified through the ABC (Alcohol Beverage Commission) pursuant to fair requirements.

It is highly recommended that you obtain certification sooner than later in order to sign up for Courtyard shifts when available. If you received your RBS certification within the last two years, then your certifications are still in good standing for this year. Certifications are valid for three years.

How do I get started? Check out our tips below!

EMAIL US

Please send an email to RBS team members Sue England and Linda Flemins at RBS@ocws.org, letting them know you need to be RBS certified this year.

3-STEP PROCESS

Instructions will be sent to you when you register. 1. Create an RBS account with Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). 2. Take a course with the RBS course provider that the OCWS has selected. 3. Take a final quiz with ABC online and obtain the RBS certificate, which is valid for three years.

ONLINE CLASS

Once you have sent your request for certification you will receive an email from #1 Premiere with your username and password and a link to the online course. You may take the class one chapter at a time or all at once. The online course is followed by an online exam with ABC. Once you are RBS certified you are ready to serve at the OC Fair

PLEASE NOTE

Each OCWS member will need a valid individual email address that will be used to set up your account. Your own individual email address will be your username for the online system.

Thank you so much for your volunteer efforts! You are what makes the OCWS the great success it is.

With a new year upon us, preparations for the largest OCWS fundraising event of the year are already under way. Mark your calendars now for the Courtyard at the 2024 OC Fair, which runs from July 19 through Aug. 18. With a commitment of only four shifts, you receive a pass which affords you access to the fair any day, without restrictions, and a parking pass.

We are looking for new managers, cashiers and stewards. Many members have expressed an interest in volunteering for a new position and, if you are one of these, we would like to hear from you now. Previous experience is helpful, but training will be provided.

If you are interested in one of these positions, please contact Rich Skoczylas at Rich@ocws.org.

Keep an eye out for future articles in The Wine Press that will provide more information about required RBS (Responsible Beverage Server) certification, training for Courtyard positions, benefits, schedules and when sign-ups for the Courtyard will open.

This year’s fair theme is “Always a Good Time.” Ask any Courtyard volunteer and they will tell you that’s exactly what happens when you work a shift and help people learn more about OCWS.

It’s the hands of many that make the Courtyard a success year after year and we need YOU!

It was worth scrubbing, lifting, sweeping, stringing, hanging, moving around, setting up and tearing down to prepare for our largest OCWS scholarship-generating event at the OC Fair! The Setup and Teardown Crew was composed of 73 volunteers over 4 1/2 days for a total of 438 volunteer hours.

Thank you so much to our team for volunteering trucks and transportation, climbing up the ladders, crawling underneath spaces and setting up lunches and for all your extra talents. Now, The Courtyard has little wall space left to use. There are always minor glitches and it’s an obstacle course driving across the fairground to the containers the morning after. Plus, your ideas this year increased efficiency and The Courtyard Crew is already taking notes for setting up for the 2024 OC Fair.

—Leslie Hodowanec, 2023 Courtyard Coordinator