LV Life

Los Angeles County Fair gardens amaze guests

“We Are L.A.,” an art deco installation about Los Angeles at the Los Angeles County Fair at the Fairplex in Pomona exhibits the rise of the art deco style that coincided with the city's boom era in the 192s and 1930’s. Baseball, lowrider and train murals display along the walls of the gallery. / photo by Sarah Van Buskirk
“We Are L.A.,” an art deco installation about Los Angeles at the Los Angeles County Fair at the Fairplex in Pomona exhibits the rise of the art deco style that coincided with the city’s boom era in the 192s and 1930’s. Baseball, lowrider and train murals display along the walls of the gallery. / photo by Sarah Van Buskirk

Taylor Moore
Editor-in-Chief 

The Los Angeles County Fair is back in full swing, and with it are the beautiful garden exhibits. This year, guests are treated to two displays, each unique from each other. 

The first is the Imaginarium light up display located at the top of the Hill at the Fairplex in Pomona. Though normally a winter display, the Fairplex gave it a spring-themed makeover. The glow in the dark flowers, all ranging in sizes, light up the night and provide guests with the perfect photo opportunity.

The Imaginarium is the longest running light festival in America, with the Fairplex being one of the many venues. The center of the display is covered with thousands of roses filled with LED lights, with a variety of large light-up flowers such as hibiscus, lilies, and tulips, all surrounding the giant “Imaginarium” sign in the middle. 

Guests walked up the pathway to enjoy the rest of the display, adorned with the larger light up displays and spread out from one another so guests could enjoy every magnificent detail of the sculptures. 

Guests lined up to take pictures in front of the giant, glowing white stag lying in a field of glowing flowers and butterflies. Instead of having just two large horns at the top of his crown, he had multiple covering his head, neck and upper back, glowing a brilliant light blue. 

“This is absolutely phenomenal,” Jennifer Smith, Pomona resident, said. “This is better than the (Pasadena) Rose Parade to me. I love it. It’s gorgeous.” 

The Imaginarium light show at the Los Angeles County Fair at the Fairplex in Pomona gives fairgoers a magical photo opportunity with accessibility available for all to walk around the exhibit. The butterflies and deer scatter throughout the hill with a glowing ambiance. / photo by Sarah Van Buskirk
The Imaginarium light show at the Los Angeles County Fair at the Fairplex in Pomona gives fairgoers a magical photo opportunity with accessibility available for all to walk around the exhibit. The butterflies and deer scatter throughout the hill with a glowing ambiance. / photo by Sarah Van Buskirk

Cassandra and Josh Velasquez, both Pomona residents, went to the fair for a date night and to take advantage of the Resident Discount Days. The couple went on May 9, Pomona Day, where Pomona residents were given a special admission of $1 ticket. 

Josh Velasquez said he had never seen the display before, but thought it was amazing. 

“It caught our attention from far away,” Cassandra Valesquez said. “It’s so beautiful. I love it.” 

The second garden exhibit at the fair is the Flower and Garden Pavilion: We Are L.A. in Expo Hall H2. As guests walked through the doors, they were immediately greeted with luminescent, vibrant colors and relaxing music. 

The display was directed and curated by Lore Media & Arts, and meant to symbolize the electric streetlights that makeup the essence of downtown Los Angeles. The center of the display had a gazebo with an angel statue at the top, glowing in orange, purple and pink hues. 

According to a statement from Lore Media & Arts, “We Are L.A.” honors the historical origins, as well as the modern and current narratives of Los Angeles County, showcasing iconic places and embracing the people that have made the county a global metropolis with cultural diversity. 

Butterflies and flowers immerse fairgoers in a mystical walk along the Imaginarium light show at the Los Angeles County Fair at the Fairplex in Pomona. This light show glows longer than the Fair and changes themes throughout the year. / photo by Sarah Van Buskirk
Butterflies and flowers immerse fairgoers in a mystical walk along the Imaginarium light show at the Los Angeles County Fair at the Fairplex in Pomona. This light show glows longer than the Fair and changes themes throughout the year. / photo by Sarah Van Buskirk

Each mural told a story that represented an aspect of Angelino culture. 

One of the murals, titled “Lighting the Way,” was made up of street lamps glowing a faint orange light, illuminating the rows of pink roses and white lilies. 

Lore Media & Arts’ statement in the exhibit said there are more than 400 different types of lamps scattered over nearly 470 square miles that makeup the “City of Lights.” Now, electric street lights symbolize the deep history and endless possibilities that exist in the spirit of all Angelinos. 

Another mural, “Los Pobladores,” told the story of the 44 Mexican-Indigenous people who founded Los Angeles in 1781. 

“I love all the art, it really captures the essence of (the Los Angeles) culture,” Desiree Elise, Anaheim resident, said. “I wasn’t expecting all of this. It’s really pretty.” 

The eye catcher was the large waterfall with rows of flowers lined up along the sides of it. There was a small painting shining through the water of a group rowing on a kayak in the sea, with the glowing orange sunset illuminating their silhouettes. This was the most colorful piece of art, full warm toned colors to reflect Mexican culture. 

Crystal Cervantes, Moreno Valley resident, said she loved seeing all of the color throughout the display. 

“It’s very abstract,” Jovanny Hernandez, Covina resident, said. “It’s really mellow, too, with the music. It brings in Hispanic culture, which is a huge part of the L.A. culture.” 

The Fair runs every Thursday to Sunday, May 3 to May 27. Tickets can be purchased at the Fairplex website. 

Taylor Moore can be reached at taylor.moore@laverne.edu.

Imaginarium, the longest running light festival in America, continues at the Los Angeles County Fair at the Fairplex in Pomona. The flower field light show illuminates as the sun sets. Large deer statues sit along the hill as the exhibit draws fairgoers in for pictures. / photo by Sarah Van Buskirk
Imaginarium, the longest running light festival in America, continues at the Los Angeles County Fair at the Fairplex in Pomona. The flower field light show illuminates as the sun sets. Large deer statues sit along the hill as the exhibit draws fairgoers in for pictures. / photo by Sarah Van Buskirk
Taylor Moore, Social Media Editor
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Taylor Moore is a senior broadcast journalism major and Campus Times editor-in-chief for Spring 2024. In her sixth semester on Campus Times, she has served as the LV Life editor and social media editor twice, as well as a staff writer. She’s also worked on the University’s television news broadcast Foothill Community News as an anchor and reporter, and was a on-air personality for the University’s radio station 107.9 LeoFM.

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Sarah Van Buskirk is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print and online journalism. She is the Spring 2024 editorial director for the Campus Times and has recently served as editor-in-chief, sports editor and staff writer. She is also currently a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine, and a staff writer for La Verne Magazine.

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