L.A. County Fair opens for food and games on weekends
This year’s bite-sized version is taking place near the Auto Club Raceway
After 719 days, the smell of turkey legs and deep-fried Oreos returned to the Fairplex as a scaled-down version of the L.A. County Fair kicked off Friday.
After the fair’s cancellation in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced a smaller event for 2021, with fewer rides and no live music unlike in the past. It is taking place weekends near the Auto Club Raceway on the 487acre property.
This year’s version — dubbed the Bite-Sized Fair — will spotlight food favorites such as Chicken Charlie’s, the Midway Gourmet, Tasti Chips and more than 25 other stands. Carnival rides, games and over 100 commercial shopping vendors will be part of the scene.
The event is a return to doing what the Fairplex does best — bringing people together for fun, said Walter M. Marquez, interim CEO of
Fairplex. Over the past year, the venue has hosted efforts to fight the pandemic, including vaccination and testing clinics.
“This is who we are, but we’ve always been flexible in meeting the needs of the community, this past year showed just that,” Marquez said by phone Friday. “But we’re also just as excited to welcome people back for entertainment.”
While the fair won’t be as large as in previous years, Nancy Bateman, 63, and Debby Miller, 68, said the size would never stop them from coming. The year-plus delay was enough to make them show up for opening day, an event they have been attending since the early 1950s, Bateman said.
“Its been too long for us,” Bateman said. “We practically grew up on these fairgrounds. Today is special.”
James Mendoza said his 8-year-old grandson Emmet Tedder, had been waiting to come back to the fair since last year’s cancellation. Riding a roller coaster was at the top of Emmet’s to-do list Friday, Mendoza said.
“He’s just 8, but we’ve been coming here for 40 years,” Mendoza said. “You can’t break tradition like this.”
The event’s return was a welcome sight for food vendors such as Pink’s Hot Dogs, which has had a stand at every L.A. County Fair since 1983.
“Being back here in Pomona, it just feels right.” Manager Pamela Hill said.
La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn was one of many local officials in attendance to kick off the fair. The event is much needed for the community after the long absence, he said.
“This is a restarting of the engine, in a way,” Hepburn said.
The fair will shift from September to May beginning in 2022 because of the high temperatures seen in late summer. Next year’s event will coincide with the fair’s 100th anniversary. The centennial three-week run is set for May 5 through May 30.
While the coming change was welcomed by many Friday, Paula Morgan and Pamela Burke said they would miss one aspect of the traditional fall affair — the heat.
“We’re going to miss coming in September and mostly the hot weather,” Morgan said. “Can’t have the fair without it.”
Hours for the BiteSized Fair are 3-9 p.m., Fridays through Sundays, through Sept. 26. Attendance is limited and tickets could sell out.
Fair officials suggest buying tickets online in advance at lacountyfair. com.