by Anna Roy
Staff Writer
Themed “Kinder. Simpler. Funner,” the Los Angeles County Fair is town again until Sept. 23. Despite closing Tuesday because of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., the fair reopened as scheduled.
In addition to the traditional events such as livestock, agriculture, education and entertainment, the fair will feature and enchanted kingdom for children and a host of musical guests including Pat Benatar, who performs tonight.
The annual event always draws crowds of people. It lasts a total of 17 days and during that time the public can enter various contests to earn a coveted blue ribbon, or simply enjoy the attractions and exhibits.
For art enthusiasts, there’s the Millard Sheets Gallery exhibit, the “Art of Illusion”. The pieces include contemporary still life works, traditional replications and life-like depictions. Also in the gallery is the 2001 New Photography Competition exhibit where 450 black-and-white and color images are on display.
Glass blowing by Charlie Keeling and watercolor demonstrations take place daily.
A Community of Angels is a public art exhibit designed to raise funds for charity. Twenty angels will be up for bid as well as at a live auction on Sept. 20. Proceeds will benefit the Volunteers of America and Catholic Big Brothers.
Each day the fair will recognize one of the 18 surrounding communities with a parade.
The world’s largest traveling aquarium will be presented by Blue Water Promotions. It contains a variety of warm and cold water fish.
Entertainment includes concerts with the aforementioned Pat Benatar tonight, a Mariachi festival tomorrow and the Beach Boys perform on Sept. 21. All events are free with admission.
For thrill-seekers, the fair offers more than 70 carnival rides.
An African Festival occurred during the opening weekend of the fair, and an Asian Festival will go on during the last weekend of the fair.
The fair continues to offer many educational and fun activities for children, including elephant rides and the Castle of Magic Discoveries which is a fun house filled with morphing mirrors, enchanted bubble pools, dancing waters and there is a chemistry and physics show at the Illusion Theatre.
In an effort to promote literacy fair guests are invited to donate books, which will go to libraries and schools in need.
There are also 11 daily horse races.
“I plan on attending the L.A. County Fair. I like the horse races. They are fun to watch, and I plan on meeting on a few good steeds,” said senior Kristine Werthwein.
For senior citizens the fair will offer a Health Fair on Sep. 18 presented by Inter-Valley Health Plan and the Pomona Valley Community Hospital Medical Center.
Admission varies, with lower prices for senior citizens and children, as well as $5 for all guests attending the fair after 5 p.m. For those 13 and older, the fair is $12 on weekends and $10 on weekdays. The fair is located on 1101 McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For more information visit www.fairplex.com or call (909) 623-3111.
Anna Roy
