LA County Fair Goes POP!
Opening this past weekend, the 2019 LA County Fair is in full swing through September 22nd, and there’s something here for everyone. The fair offers all the classic fun activities, such as tractor pulls, beautiful Clydesdales, and deep fried everything. This year’s theme is “LA County Fair Goes Pop!”…and it’s sprinkled with unique one-of-a-kind offerings.
Pop Art
The Hill is a beautiful outdoor area where you can interact with iconic Los Angeles landmarks reimagined as giant pop art. You’ll find everything from the famous Hollywood Sign to Randy’s Donuts, the Santa Monica Pier, the Cabazon Dinosaurs, and much more. This has to be one of the most fun, Instagrammable spots I’ve ever encountered at a fair.
Flowers, Movies & Wildlife!
The Hill is more than an outdoor pop art exhibit. There you’ll find the Flower and Garden Pavilion, which shows off beautiful blooms reflecting those that have traveled in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. The Atrium comes alive with floral designs from the Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland and more. The Summer Night Cinema shows classic pop culture movies under the stars. And lastly, the America’s Great Outdoors informs and educates guests about Southern California’s local wildlife and the habitats they call home. You can even pan for gold here as you immerse yourself in California history.
Games
The Fun Zone is filled with all the classic fair games. Nate snagged the grand prize at one of the booths by breaking all the glass bottles, throwing baseballs (that pitching arm comes in handy again!😉). If traditional fair games aren’t your cup of tea, Esports Gaming World features free daily tournaments with PC Gaming World and Console Gaming World. You can try out the newest tech by stepping into the world of virtual reality at this year’s fair. However, I went old-school at the Retro City Arcade, where you can play everything from pinball to the original Pac-Man at $0.25 a game so bring your quarters!
Expo
The downtown Fairplex is shopping central at the fair. The expo halls are packed with anything and everything you could ever want to purchase, from pots, pans and spices to fine jewelry and full body massage chairs. I really love visiting the Millard Sheets Art Center here, which is currently showcasing Shifting Aesthetics, a selection of works by local contemporary artists.
Food
Would any fair experience be complete without indulging in some classic fair food? I think not! 😉 Stop by the Scoops on Tap booth to order your favorite ice cream in a delicious flavored cone! The fair has a complete “$6.50 Pop Menu” and nearly every vendor carries a specialty item or two that is included in this sweet deal. My current favorites are deep fried pineapple at Chicken Charlie’s in the Fun Zone, and the rainbow pop grilled cheese sandwich at the Dog House located in Downtown Fairplex.
Spirits & Sweet Treats
The classic fair food is great, but don’t stop there. Visit the Wine, Beer and Spirits Marketplace for olive oil tastings, sake tastings, and to learn about our local central coast wines. Whether you partake in a pie eating contest or learn the art of making French macaroons, food is a fabulous part of the fair this year. You can even stroll through rows of classic candies and pick out all your favorites at the Candy Castle Maze.
Rides
One of the largest areas at the fair is the Fun Zone. You’ll find all the classics rides here including 3 different ferris wheels! Most of the rides (and games) in this area only take tickets, and as the day goes on, ticket lines can grow rather long. I recommend looking for one of the self service ticket kiosks, or better yet, download the Fun Pass app and you can purchase and redeem tickets straight from your smartphone.
Tickets
Whether you visit for the day or purchase a season pass, check out all the ticket options and the fairs Passport to Saving Booklet for special offers. Fair entry tickets are available on site, but I’d encourage purchasing ahead to save time and money. You can visit the official LA County Fair Website for special pricing options. Additionally, many local Ralph’s grocery stores carry discounted fair entry tickets…and when you purchase your tickets at Ralph’s, you receive a special offer for discounted carnival ride wristbands too.
Enjoy!
Spread out over 500 acres, the LA County Fair is definitely an all day activity (all evening too if you stay for the wonderful Summer Concert Series). Make sure to pick up a map at the entrance (or download one here) so you’ll know where everything is located, and then you can plan your visit accordingly…and have a blast as the fair goes pop!
