Kids to pack fairgrounds for Youth Expo 2000

Andrew Glazer

COSTA MESA -- They will invade the fairgrounds today -- some armed with

iguanas and hamsters, others toting trumpets and tap shoes.

Nearly 20,000 students will be participating in the 21st annual Youth Expo, a three-day educational event featuring pet shows, a science fair,

food booths and a jazz festival at the Orange County Fair & Exposition

Center.

“All of our 880 students will be there en masse,” said Cheryl Galloway,

principal of the Davis Education Center. “It’s a great opportunity for

them to learn and have a great time.”

The theme of this year’s expo is “Heroes, Feats and the California Beat.”

Expo organizers are encouraging children from Orange County schools to

bring photographs of their heroes, which can include family members,

sports figures and fictional characters.

In a hall equipped with scissors, markers and glue, they will create a

giant collage to be displayed at this summer’s Orange County Fair.

Other highlights include a talent show, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday. Also, there will be an earthquake preparedness display designed

by 16-year-old Melissa Ratzlaff. She designed the exhibit as a Girl

Scouts project and was honored a Gold Award.

The Girl Scouts will collect donations from visitors of baby clothes,

diapers, toys and books. They will deliver the items to Santa Ana-based

Maternal Outreach Management, a community service group providing support

for single mothers.

Youth Expo hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday

and Sunday. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, please call (714) 708-3247.