Your Ambassador’s Guide to the Los Angeles County Fair 2015

Labor Day Weekend might signal the end of summer, but for Angelenos it also means the beginning of the Los Angeles County Fair.

la county fair at night - flikr by nat2b

la county fair at night – flikr by nat2b

The South Bay Foodies are happy to be working with the LA County Fair (LACF) as your official neighborhood ambassador.  We’ve scoured the Fair’s website to bring you essential information to make your visit as enjoyable as possible.

So pull on your stretchy pants, strap on your walking shoes, and let’s head to the fair!

Dates and Times: 9/4-27

The 2015 Los Angeles County Fair opens on Friday, September 4 and ends on Sunday, September 27.   The Fair is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.  That’s three full weeks (minus a  couple days) to eat as much fried stuff and smoked turkey legs as you can hold.

  • Labor Day Weekend Hours
    • Friday – Noon – Midnight
    • Saturday – 10 AM – Midnight
    • Sunday – 10 AM – Midnight
    • Monday – 10 AM – 10 PM
  • Regular Hours
    • Monday – Tuesday – Closed
    • Wednesdays – Noon – 10 PM
    • Thursdays – Noon – 11 PM
    • Fridays – Noon – Midnight
    • Saturdays – 10 AM – Midnight
    • Sundays – 10 AM – 10 PM

Admission and Parking

Admission varies by day of the week.  Go on a week day to get more bang for your buck and to avoid the weekend crowds!  Or spring for the Season Pass ($29.99) and go whenever you want.  Follow this link for complete information on tickets.

Admission Prices

Age Weekday Price     Weekend Price
Adults, 13+ $12.00 $20.00
Child, ages 6-12 $8.00 $12.00
Child, ages 5 and under Free Free
Seniors 60+ $10.00  $15.00
Season Pass $29.99

 

Parking Prices

General Parking $15.00
Valet/Gate 3 $30.00
Season Pass $60.00

Ride Tickets

Carnival food and drink goes hand in hand nothing other than carnival rides!  Just don’t lose your lunch on the roller coaster!  Serious and budget conscious thrillseekers will see the unlimited ride wristband as a wise investment in fun.

Ticket Count Price
200 tickets $100
100 tickets $50
40 tickets $20
Unlimited Ride Wristband $50

Concerts

After a day full of carnival rides and food, spend the evening hours with live entertainment on the Grandstand.  The lineup includes top acts from all genres of music.  Concerts begin at 7:30 PM but times are subject to change.  Oh yeah, concert ticket purchases include LA County Fair admission.  Bonus!  I don’t know who I want to go see more: Bell Biv Devoe or ZZ Top!

  • Friday, September 4, Patti LaBelle & Chaka Khan
  • Satuday, September 5, Charlie Wilson
  • Sunday, September 6, Alejandra Guzmán
  • Monday, September 7, Skillet & for King & Country
  • Friday, September 11, Kool & The Gang, The Ohio Players, Rose Royce
  • Satuday, September 12, ZZ Top & special guest Blackberry Smoke
  • Sunday, September 13, Justin Moore
  • Thursday, September 17, Bell Biv Devoe
  • Friday, September 18, Lynyrd Skynyrd & special guest The Outlaws
  • Satuday, September 19, Train
  • Sunday, September 20, Paquita la del Barrio with Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles
  • Thursday, September 24, The Beach Boys 4.6 out of 5 stars (1296)
  • Friday, September 25, War with Tierra & Malo
  • Satuday, September 26, Jake Owen & Parmalee
  • Sunday, September 27, Chicago & Boz Scaggs

Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tasting

If your carnival tastes are refined beyond fried kool-aid and hotdogs, consider a class or tasting in the beer, wine, or spirits tasting in International Wine & Spirits Marketplace.

Taught by industry experts, these classes will help open your palette to award winning beverages and the foods that go well with them.

Classes range in price from $15 to $20 and include tastings and instruction.  Follow the links below for more details. Salud!

For my friends keen on rums, whiskeys, and vodkas, here’s a peek at the spirits tasting line up!

  • Spirits Classes, Fridays at 5 PM, Saturdays ay 8 PM, $15/Class with Four Tastes
    • http://www.fairplex.com/wos/spirits_competition/AwardsCelebration/SpiritsEducationClasses.asp
    • Friday, Sept.4 – Tequila – Lisa Copenhaver
    • Saturday, Sept. 5 – Vodka/Vodka-Flavored – Lindsey Carlson
    • Friday, Sept. 11 – American Whiskey & Bourbon – Ryan Steely
    • Saturday, Sept. 12 – Rum
    • Friday, Sept. 18 – Mixers/Mixologist – Lisa Copenhaver
    • Saturday, Sept. 19 – Tequila – Lindsey Carlson
    • Friday, Sept. 25 – Vodka/Flavored Vodka – Lisa Copenhaver
    • Saturday, Sept. 26 – Shochu – Toshio Ueno

Hotel for Extended Stays

After a long day at the Fair, driving home might be the least of your interests.  If you’re looking for a place to crash for the night you can stay right next door at the Sheraton Fariplex.  They even have LACF specials that include admission, parking, and breakfast the next day.  Prices start at $205/night.  Follow the link below for complete defails.

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About the Author

Michael loves grilling, rum, and has a weakness for key lime pie.

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