Guide To The 2016 LA County Fair
The LA County Fair is back again this year and promises to be bigger and better than years before! When it comes to thinking of LA, one might not think of fried foods, farm animals, fair rides and competitions, but the beauty of Los Angeles is its diverse cultural events. Dare to discover rides, the Jurassic planet exhibit, the Farm at the Fairplex, and dare to indulge in award-winning wines, spirits, craft beers, tasty eats.
1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768
(909) 623-3111
www.fairplex.com
Dates:Friday, September 2, 2016 - Sunday, September 25, 2016
Wednesdays: 12pm - 10pm
Thursdays: 12pm - 11pm
Fridays: 12pm - 12am
Saturdays: 10am - 12am
Sundays: 10am - 10pm
With the exception of Labor Day weekend, the Fair is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Children 6-12: admission starts at $8 on the weekdays and is $12 on the weekends
Seniors 60+: $10 on both weekdays and weekends
Children aged 5 and under: free
Guests may also purchase a season pass for $29.99, and there are group picnic packages for $50. All picnic packages are fully customizable and can include: fair admission, buffet and beverage station, carnival rides, parking and games, while tickets to the Jurassic Planet, Our Body and The Igloo Ice Skating & Sledding Experience are $5 a piece.
Getting There & Where to Stay
Getting to the L.A. County Fair from Los Angeles is easy with Gate 17 off of the Fairplex Drive exit on 10 Freeway providing the most convenient access. Late night train service to and from Union Station on the San Bernardino line is being offered on weekends for the fair, with special admission packages being offered to those who choose to take public transportation.
If driving yourself to the Fair, remember that parking fees start at $15 for general parking and go up to $30 for valet. Guests may also purchase a season parking pass for $60.
To make your visit a weekend experience with less hassle, consider staying at the adjacent Sheraton Fairplex Hotel, currently offering special rates to fair-goers. Many packages include concert tickets, discounted fair admission, and the easiest access to fair complex. The Fairplex KOA also boasts extremely convenient access for those with tents, campers, trailers, or RVs.
As in past years, there's a lot of delicious and decadent eats at the L.A. County Fair. From deep-fried calorie-laden splurges to classic BBQ and carnival favorites, there is something tasty for everyone. This year's L.A. County Fair will offer a full menu of new foods, including the world premiere of Deep-Fried Hot Sauce, a 2016 LA County Fair exclusive served in a bag or as a spicy kabob, and the return of last year's wildly popular Deep-Fried Guacamole. Deep-Fried Kool- Aid, Dino Ribs (sold at Juicys), gourmet milkshakes, bacon-wrapped pork belly corndogs and deep-fried butter balls will also be on offer. Those 21 and older can enjoy wine and olive oil classes for just $20 per wine class and $10 per olive oil class. There's also a wine, spirits & beer marketplace located in the home & garden neighborhood. The LA County Fair will also feature hundreds of other offerings ranging from healthy options to overly decadent creations.
Bacon A-Fair
New this year at the LA County Fair, and looking to top the 350,000 pieces of bacon they served during the OC Fair, is Bacon A-Fair, the company that believes that unique crazy food items should actually taste good with bacon of course. Their signature items include a Porkabello Kabob, which is mushrooms stuffed with fresh Gouda cheese on a stick wrapped with bacon, their Cheesy Bacon Bombs with Pepper jack cheese stuffed in biscuit dough wrapped in bacon, and a delicious bacon wrapped backed potato, or a large Russet potato wrapped in about 1/2 pound of bacon that is slow cooked in their smoker.
Plant Food for People
Plant Food for People is a food trailer based out of Los Angeles and offers a menu of all plant-based Mexican inspired cuisine. Their most popular item, "the jackfruit taco" has become a mainstay for vegans and non-vegans alike. This year at the LA County Fair, they will be offering their jackfruit tacos, nachos with housemade cheeze and tortas.
Pappas Artisanal
Pappas Artisanal is a wood fired influenced Elementary American eatery that focuses on using local ingredients to create a unique but familiar cuisine. Since opening in 2013, education and hand crafted cuisine have been its primary focus. While at the LA County Fair, Pappas Artisanal will be offering a selection of wood fired artisan pizzas, handmade biscuit sandwiches, vegetarian harvest grain bowls and other seasonal delights. Don't forget to check out Pappas' wood fired baked apple fritter!
Reno's Fish & Chips
For over 50 years, Reno's Fish & Chips has served fish at the Fair using cod for their fish & chips and fish tacos cooked in peanut oil. They will be offering their tangy cajun catfish, Mojarra (tilapia) dinners, 3 amigos tacos (fish, shrimp and shark) as well as their Double Deep Fried Fish Taco among other selections. Their tacos feature a secret white yogurt sauce and they are the first at any Fair to offer Deep Fried Zucchini, too.
Cardinali Family Concessions
Cardinali Family Concessions is known for their award-winning fried food and ice cream. At the L.A. County Fair this year, they will be serving deep fried everything! From deep fried watermelon and deep fried pineapple on a stick to spaghetti ice cream among other flavors, you'll want to make sure not to miss this eatery. Make sure to check out their most popular flavor, the world's hottest ice cream which is made with ghost peppers.
Jurassic Planet
Go back 65 million years to the time of the dinosaurs this year at the L.A. County Fair. One of their top attractions, Jurassic Planet, will feature 35 life-sized dinosaurs, including a 44-foot-long T-Rex. This three-acre animatronic adventure includes a hands-on dinosaur museum, live shows, fossil prep lab and dig hosted by real paleontologists. Make sure to visit after the sun goes down when unique lighting and music create an even more memorable experience.
Let the Games Begin
This year's exhibit will explore the beginnings and science of America's "Big Six" Sports: basketball, baseball, football, golf, soccer and hockey. Guests will be amazed by elaborately themed displays, rare and unique memorabilia and hands-on activities.
The Igloo
Cool off at The L.A. County Fair's Arctic Village and their Polar Ice Rink and Penguin Sled Run, made with real ice and snow. Kids and adults will love this attraction, and you can even shop for great products. Make sure to visit after 6pm for an all ages dance party which will featured DJ Cool and snow storms too!
The Farm
Get a taste of farm life and agriculture in the Big Red Barn. See hundreds of animals, including miniature horses, milking goats and lovable piglets!
The Carnival
Back again this year will be their famed carnival, which is run by Cammack Shows, and features more than 70 rides and 40 games. Jump on the Ferris Wheel, and experience the incredibly fun rides!
Our Body: The Universe Within
Experience the human anatomy with the "Our Body: The Universe Within" exhibit! This interesting, fascinating, and educational exhibit of 200 preserved human specimens, offers a 3D view of our bodies usually seen by just doctors.
Watercolors: The Art of Flowers
2016's Flower & Garden Pavilion makeover will explore the cross-section of flowers and watercolors through real-life re-creations of famous paintings, walk-through landscapes and instructional classes taught by our floral professionals.
Live music is an integral part of the L.A. County Fair experience. Free concerts and events run throughout the fair including tribute bands, and plenty of high school marching bands competing to be the best. The End of Summer Concert Series, presented by Toyota, appears for 16 nights of the Fair, and will feature a wide variety of musical performances from Bad Company to Iggy Azalea to Chicago. Limited free seating is available and is on a first come first serve basis. Track-side and box seating are also available. Prices start at $300.
Visitors love the rides offered at the L.A. County Fair each year. And, this year is no different. From a giant Ferris Wheel to slides, and more, partake in the fun!