LA County Fair's Don't-Miss Attractions

The LA County Fair is in full swing, and this year brings with it a lot of the exciting eats and events of years past along with new and exciting offerings. See what's new and exciting this year along with those attractions, exhibits, and culinary experiences you won't want to miss before it ends on September 28, 2014.

LA County Fair
1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768
909.623.3111
www.LACountyFair.com

The LA County Fair runs from August 29th through September 28th, 2014 and offers an exciting array of activities to keep you entertained.

Hours
Wednesdays – Noon-10 p.m.
Thursdays – Noon-11 p.m.
Fridays – Noon-Midnight
Saturdays – 10 a.m.-Midnight
Sundays – 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Food

A visit to the fair is not complete without diving into one of the many eclectic culinary experiences offered onsite. Here are the standout fair foods you won't want to miss this year.

Chicken Charlie, a favorite among fairgoers, has crafted a variety of new food items this year including Krispy Kreme Hamburgers and Cheesy Bacon Bombs. Known for their deep-fried concoctions, this is where you'll find Krispy Kreme Sloppy Joes, Totally Fried Bacon-Wrapped Pickles, Waffle Dogs, and deep-fried Oreos, avocados, and frog legs.

Fair food is often characterized by outrageous combinations and larger-than-life dishes. This year, Fresh Fries will offer Brisket Sundaes comprised of mashed potatoes and BBQ beef brisket topped with a cherry tomato. Ten-Pound Buns offers seven varieties of cheese, onions and garlic all on top of their world-famous sourdough bread. Lastly, Monster Dogs will serve larger than life corndogs.

One of the best things about the fair is the sheer number of food options. Foodies and those who are more health conscious can enjoy a gourmet espresso from Cornucopia Cafe, a Skinnygirl cocktail, and gluten-free Tasti Chips made from real, California-grown potatoes.

Attractions And Exhibits

Once you've stepped inside the fair, an array of sights and sounds greet you. With so much to see and do, you'll only wish you had more time. Here are this year's must-see attractions, all included with your fair ticket!

Star Trek: The Exhibition

 
New this year, guests can go where no man has gone before as they embark on an interactive mission to experience the world's largest collection of authentic Star Trek artifacts. As part of this exhibit, guests can board the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, track the history of Star Trek at the timeline wall, view costumes, sets and props from TV series and films, and take home a photo to remember the experience.

Beneath The Sea: An Underwater Adventure

 
This year's aquatic animal exhibit features a 30-minute sea lion show complete with dancing and acrobatics, live shark and stingray encounters and a conservation lesson at the Sanctuary Reef. Guests can also explore the history of sea monsters and see Melissa the Mermaid swimming and diving to spread awareness about protecting the world's oceans.

Pencils 2 Pixels - The Art Of Animation

 
Some of the world's top animation studios converge at the LA County Fair to give guests an inside look at the art of animation. See the world's largest, fastest 3D Zoetrope, explore Walt Disney's legacy through replicas from the Walt Disney Family Museum, and learn how to draw your favorite animated characters from a professional artists. On display, guests will see clay sculptures and items from their favorite animated films along with drawings, videos, moquettes and toys that detail the history of anime (Japanese Animation).

Mysteries Of The Amazon

 
Guests will journey to the Amazon Rainforests of Brazil as they discover the exotic plants and animals of South America. The Flower & Garden Pavilion will feature exotic plants, tropical birds, a sloth, emerald boas, toucans, macaws, river turtles, and other wildlife native to this ecosystem.

The Millard Sheets Gallery Presents "Art Treasures From the Attic"

 
When the temperatures soar mid-day, cool down inside this immersive exhibit which features creative, unusual pieces of art hidden in the attics and basements of the artists who created them. This gallery features the work of more than 60 different artists, collected over a six-year period, and includes puppets from around the world, whimsical sculptures made from metal objects, Italian porcelain horse-drawn carriages and figurines, and more.

For The Kids

While the LA County Fair has expanded and diversified its rides and entertainment, there is still much fun to be had by even the youngest of tots. The Kiddie Carnival is a great option for kids who don't meet the carnival height requirement. This year, the fair has added four new rides including John Deere tractors and VW bugs. With more than 70 thrilling rides and 40 entertaining games, you might consider purchasing a wristband which will give you unlimited rides all day.

And here's a tip -- kids can earn free carnival rides at the fair through the Read to Ride Program. Information can be found at LACountyFair.com.

For fun, engaging experiences be sure to check out America's Kids which features hands-on activities with a focus on books and The Land of Frogs, Princesses and Knights where kids learn about true royalty.

Music, Comedy, and Theatre

Every year, the LA County Fair brings together some of the top performers from all over the world. This year's End of Summer Concert Series will feature Zendaya from the Disney Channel's "Shake It Up" along with Demolition Derby, Monster Truck Madness, and Moto X Champions. Fair admission is not included in the price of concert tickets.

The fair also offers a number of free performances including tribute bands, the Harvest of Praise Gospel Festival, the Taiko Project (an ensemble of taiko drummers) and Battle of the Bands, all presented on the Coca-Cola Stage.

Caryn Bailey is a Southern California-based writer and LA native who can be found writing daily on her lifestyle blog Rockin' Mama or on Twitter @RockinMama.