LA County Fair canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
Los Angeles County Fair (Fairplex)
POMONA, Calif. - No spin of the Ferris Wheel, no farm filled with animals and no legendary bands in the Grandstand will be seen this year -- fair officials announced that the L.A. County Fair has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The fair was slated for Sept. 4-27 but had to be canceled "due to limitations placed on large public gatherings by state and county public health officials," officials said.
“My heart is heavy, for our guests who come out to make memories, our vendors who rely on the Fair circuit for their income and our employees who work so hard all year-long to create this special event,” Fairplex President and CEO Miguel A. Santana said. “The L.A. County Fair is an iconic event that celebrates the best of Southern California. It is beloved by many. But we had to take into consideration the health and safety of everyone.”
Los Angeles County Fair (Fairplex)
“We really had no choice, as hard as it was. The one thing we can promise is that the L.A. County Fair will be back, better than ever – especially as we plan for our Centennial,” said Los Angeles County Fair Association Board of Directors’ Chair Heidi Hanson.
“Like many of you, I grew up eagerly anticipating each year’s opening of the L.A. County Fair, and I cherish my family memories of this special yearly event,” said Los Angeles County First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “Unfortunately, we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel the L.A. County Fair due to our current public health crisis. We must make these short term sacrifices to preserve the health of the people we love. We do this to protect our communities. I am certain that once we get through this challenging time, we will come back stronger and even more appreciative of the things we love and hold dear.”
Los Angeles County Fair (Fairplex)
Refunds for the those who purchased fair season pass boxes will be available with three options: credit toward the 2021 Fair plus one extra season pass; turning their purchase into a donation to the Fairplex COVID-19 emergency fund for the community; or a full refund.
Information on refunds can be found at www.lacountyfair.com/refunds.
This is only the second time in the fair's nearly 100-year history that it is completely canceled. The Fair closed for World War II from 1942 to 1947. It closed for the day on Sept. 11, 2001, but reopened the following day.
Los Angeles County Fair (Fairplex)
The County of Los Angeles benefits from the attendance of over one million guests during the fair's 19-day run with an economic impact of $324 million annually. The fair's success also helps generate about $58 million for the city of Pomona and helps create approximately 500 full-time equivalent jobs.
Fairplex, home of the L.A. County Fair, is canceling the remainder of its events for the rest of 2020, including June’s Cheers Wine, Beer and Food Festival; Fourth of July spectacular KABOOM!; Oktoberfest; and the Day of the Dead celebration En Memoria.
For more information on Fairplex, visit www.fairplex.com.