Tom Anderson
Staff Writer
To the casual observer, Southern California cultural life seems to have nothing in common with that of the rest of the nation. But for every year since 1922, the Los Angeles County Fair has provided the people of this region with an event that is as American as baseball and apple pie.
Besides, the L.A. County Fair is not just limited to petting zoos and Ferris wheels; it is more like a two-week-long block party, with a massive array of attractions and activities thrown into the mix.
When most people hear the phrase “county fair,” animals are usually the first things that come to mind, and the L.A. County Fair has no shortage of zoological curiosities.
There is a staggering array of livestock and equestrian exhibitions to be found, particularly in the FairView Farms area, which also houses lots of attractions chronicling farming and agriculture, farming in general, and the impact these industries have had on the growth and development of Southern California.
Plus, whether you are into petting zoos, elephant rides, acrobatic dogs or even pig racing, chances are you will find something at the Fairplex that will tickle your four-legged fancy.
Of course, pigs will not be the only creatures competing at speed, as horse racing on the Fairplex Park track will be providing thrills throughout the fair’s 16-day duration.
Later in the evening, when the racing is over, fair-goers may head back to the track to see and hear the likes of Live, Jackson Browne, Hoobastank and Willie Nelson live in concert.
On Sept. 23, madmen will substitute for the musicians, as freestyle motocross pilots will bust out with some truly insane aerobatic displays. If you need even more extreme action, stop by the LG Action Sports Zone to see dozens of other athletes, big name and amateur, defy gravity on bicycles, skateboards and inline skates.
Want more education with your entertainment? Well, there is plenty of that to be had as well.
Guests can experience a huge selection of shows and demonstrations, ranging from native Hawaiian dance to cow milking.
Be sure to stop by the incredibly detailed Garden Railroad, where volunteers who build and maintain this amazing layout will take you on a tour of the facility. The Railroad boasts over 8,000 feet of track, and has areas depicting California from the Old West up to the present day.
Once you have seen all the miniature trains, head over to the Historic Trains display, where you can climb aboard expertly-maintained examples of the largest steam and diesel powered locomotives ever built, and tour the city of Arcadia’s original rail depot, constructed in 1895 and moved to the Fairplex in 1969.
Music lovers will not want to miss “The Beat Goes On!” a massive temporary museum chronicling the history of popular music from the birth of the blues to modern rap and hip-hop, including various photography exhibits, vintage concert posters and clothing items worn by legendary recording artists.
History buffs will also want to check out the Petersen Automotive Museum’s “Cars of the Stars” exhibit, which includes cars owned and used by the likes of Rita Hayworth, Elton John and Steve McQueen.
Afterwards, trade star power with horsepower when you check out the cool hot rods and customs that members of Thunder Alley have brought out to the fair. And do not miss seeing Thunder Alley Coordinator Vic Cunnyngham’s amazing, historically correct 1950s era garage diorama, complete with a 1932 Ford roadster under construction.
Naturally, there is a wide variety of food and beverages to choose from at the fair. Most of the edible items, however, will probably cause carb-counting patrons to swoon with terror; after all, where else can one find deep-fried Twinkies, Oreos and Snickers bars in one location?
Lest one assume that the only stuff available for purchase is of the edible variety, there are hundreds upon hundreds of other vendors selling everything from Ferris wheel rides and hot tubs, to calendars and floor polish. Chances are, if you can think of it, someone is selling it at the fair.
“I really liked the Shopping Place,” said Darlene Parsons who, along with her husband, Murlen, made the half-hour trip from Monrovia to the Fairplex.
There are also some companies present who are not exactly selling their products and services, but are trying to sell fair patrons on the merits of their company and the products and services they provide.
Blockbuster has an air-conditioned tent in which fair-goers can sit down and play some of the hottest new video games on the market, free of charge.
The Pontiac and GMC divisions of General Motors have an enormous display of new cars, trucks and SUVs on hand, including the West Coast debut of the stylish Pontiac G6 sedan, the same model that Oprah gave to each member of her studio audience last week.
The folks at the Pontiac-GMC display are having a mass giveaway of their own, but the gifts are pocket fans and pocket FM radios, which are awarded to guests who correctly fill out brief trivia quizzes on the statistics of certain vehicles.
The 82nd Los Angeles County Fair has something for everyone. All are welcome to attend.
Undeclared University of La Verne sophomore Andy Hanson echoed that sentiment when summing up his time at the fair.
“It was great,” he said.
Tom Anderson can be reached at tanderson1@ulv.edu.
Tom Anderson
