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5 things to know about the 2023 LA County Fair

May 2, 2023

Good times will be blooming when the LA County Fair returns with its 101st iteration, dubbed “Spring into Fair: where fun grows.”

“We are celebrating everything spring this year,” Pomona Fairplex spokesperson Renee Hernandez said. “Flowers, baby animals and the great weather. So we are really trying to embrace our new spring season.”

A worker pressure washes a fountain Monday, May 1, 2023, as crews prepare for the 101st LA County Fair in Pomona. It will open Friday, May 5, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Crews work Monday, May 1, 2023, inside a new exhibit at the Flower and Garden Pavilion at the LA County Fair in Pomona. The fair will open Friday, May 5, 2023, and feature a Cinco de Mayo celebration. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Crews get ready Monday, May 1, 2023, for the 101st LA County Fair in Pomona ahead of its opening on Friday, May 5, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Workers clean the Sky Ride on Monday, May 1, 2023, as crews make preparations for the 101st LA County Fair in Pomona. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Artist Lucretia Torva works Monday, May 1, 2023, on her painting of a Pomona queen as part of an exhibit at the Flower and Garden Pavilion at the LA County Fair in Pomona. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Crews work Monday, May 1, 2023, on booths at the LA County Fair in Pomona ahead of its opening on Friday, May 5, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A worker cleans the Sky Ride as crews make preparations Monday, May 1, 2023, for the 101st LA County Fair in Pomona. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Crews set up concession stands Monday, May 1, 2023, before the 101st LA County Fair in Pomona begins Friday, May 5, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A worker stacks logs Monday, May 1, 2023, as a crew sets up a barbecue concession stand at the LA County Fair in Pomona. The fair, which will kick off with a Cinco de Mayo celebration, opens Friday, May 5, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A worker installs lights outside the Flower and Garden Pavilion on Monday, May 1, 2023, as preparations are underway for the 101st LA County Fair in Pomona. The fair will open Friday, May 5, 2023, and feature a Cinco de Mayo celebration. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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The fair will be staged for the second year in a row in spring instead of fall. It opens Friday, May 5, at 5 p.m. and will run Thursday through Sunday during May before ending Memorial Day weekend.

Here are the five things to know before hitting the fairgrounds this year.

1. Ticketing has changed

The fair will begin calendar pricing for online ticketing. Tickets will be based on the calendar date a guest plans to attend and will increase in price each weekend.

“If you come earlier in the fair, the better discount you get,” Hernandez said. “So on Friday, May 5, it is $5 for Cinco de Mayo, but opening weekend it is $15 and the last weekend is $25 for adult tickets.”

Hernandez recommends buying tickets online and early to take advantage of discounts. Tickets at the gate will be $30 for adults.

She said the move aims to spread crowds out through the month.

The fair has two types of season passes: a seven-day pass for $29 that will work May 5 through Sunday, May 14, and an any day pass for $75, which will allow admission for all 16 days of the fair.

2. Heritage Weekends set

The fair will open with a Cinco de Mayo celebration on Friday and move into LatinX weekend.

“It will be the biggest Cinco de Mayo party around,” Hernandez said.

Weekend festivities will include mariachis, banda bands, traditional dancers and a celebration in the Plaza de las Americas, Hernandez said.

Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21, will mark Asian American and Pacific Islander Weekend and feature cultural dance and musical performances. The new Community Stage will have shows from noon to 7 p.m. that weekend.

“And then on that same weekend we have Black Excellence Heritage Weekend,” Hernandez said.

The weekend of May 20 will be Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement takeover weekend. The theme “A Taste of CEEM” will feature foods from Black-owned businesses and gospel performances on the Union stage on May 21.

3. New exhibits planned

For the first time in fair history, organizers have joined with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to bring a photography exhibit, called “You Are Here: California Photography Now.”

The display in the Millard Sheets Art Center, will feature work from local photographers and introduce a range of views on how to look at California.

On Saturday, May 6, in Expo Hall 7, Sean Kenney’s Animal Super Powers Made with Lego will premiere. The showcase will explore the evolution of animals and their “super powers” through larger-than-life Lego structures. Kids can also create their own sculptures at the tables outside the hall.

4. The Big Red Barn is back

Cal Poly Pomona returns to the Big Red Barn with large livestock and more than 100 animals in the petting zoo. Guests will see a mother pig with her piglets, cows, goats and other animals.

“The Big Red Barn is such a fun place, you get to see faces filled with joy from all ages,” Hernandez said.

Cal Poly Pomona will also be offer educational programs throughout the barns. Guests can catch a cow milking demonstration.

5. Midway and roller coasters galore

Carnival operator Ray Cammack Shows will return for a 37th year and bring more than 60 rides and 30 games to the midway.

A new ride this year, the Slingshot, will put guests in a bucket and launch them into air, Hernandez said.

Thrill seekers can add carnival midway tickets to their admission ticket online in advance. They can buy a wristband on weekdays or weekends for $50. Wristbands will get guests on rides from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and on Memorial Day.

About the LA County Fair

Where: Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona

When: Friday, May 5, through Monday, May 29

Hours: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. opening day. After that, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, plus Memorial Day, May 29.

Tickets: $15 to $25 for adults; $5 to $12 for children 6 to 12 years and seniors 60 and older. Parking is $17 to $22.

Payment: Parking, admission and concert box office payments are cashless. Advance online purchases are cheaper than gate prices.

Information: lacountyfair.com

Orange County Register

News Details

5 things to know about the 2023 LA County Fair

1. Ticketing has changed

2. Heritage Weekends set

3. New exhibits planned

4. The Big Red Barn is back

5. Midway and roller coasters galore

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