Editorial:

With the state poised to sell the Orange County Fairgrounds, are we in danger of losing our annual fair?

We at the Pilot hope not, but this looms as a possibility.

The buyer — possibly a nonprofit group made up of county fair board members and local politicians — would have to go through Costa Mesa to rezone the 150-acre site, and, as a deed, also would have to pay a portion of any profits to the state.

Hopefully, that would be enough to persuade the property’s new owner to keep the fair going, which provides a prime opportunity for Newport-Mesa residents and out-of-towners to congregate here for a day of fun.

With its rides, concerts, tasty treats, exhibits and animals, it is truly one of the most family-friendly events in Orange County.

The cash-strapped state recently announced it will sell the fair and event center, likely for $96 million to $180 million.

The Assembly voted to put the property up for sale in July, as the state teetered on the brink of insolvency.

The fair board and the Board of Supervisors have both passed resolutions supporting the idea of selling the land to a nonprofit agency or a local government.

“Our biggest concern is to let the market decide what the best financial return for the state of California will be,” said Eric Lamoureux, a spokesman for the California Department of General Services.

With the deadline for potential buyers to submit bids for the fairgrounds set for Jan. 8, the early front-runner appears to be the newly created Orange County Fair and Event Center Foundation.

The foundation consists of six current board members, and will later add two board members appointed by Costa Mesa and two appointed by the county.

The 10 board members will then select a member of the public to serve as the 11th member.

And the early indications are that the foundation is leaning against the idea of scrapping the fair.

“The Orange County Fair is such a crown jewel, and it has so much to offer, we’d like to see it remain a fair for many years to come,” said Kristina Dodge, chairwoman of the fair.

That’s good news.

Let’s hope any other potential buyers share that sentiment.