The LA County Fair opens Friday, September 7, 2006. Tickets are only $1 on opening day from 11 am to 5 pm. After that, weekday tickets are $10 and weekend tickets are $15. But if you buy your tickets online, you can get the weekday price good for any day, including weekends. Another special advance offer available only online is a $25 wristband good for unlimited rides. The wristbands are valid on all rides until 11 pm weekdays and 7 pm on weekends. Any day wristbands can only be purchased online by 5 pm Thursday, Sept 6. Same-day wristbands can be purchased for $25 at the Fair on Wednesdays only.

Advertisements for the Los Angeles County Fair emphasize how detached Angelenos are from the world of barnyard animals. And, while the outlying areas of LA County still have ranches, farms and 4-H Clubs who bring their prize pigs, goats and giant tomatoes to compete, it’s surprising how many city dwellers have never been to the Fair. They’re missing out on horse racing, pig racing, the Budweiser Clydesdales and a mule driving competition. But the LA County Fair is not only about the livestock. It’s also about the latest in gadgets, gizmos and new technology, with hundreds of exhibitors showing the latest and greatest. There area also food, beer and wine-making competitions including the Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition.

The LA County Fair always has a nice line up of concerts included in the price of admission. This year’s event also includes KaraokeFest 2007. An indoor Winter Wonderland provides a snow and ice show and an opportunity to go ice skating. There are lots of new living history exhibits and re-enactments in California’s Heritage Square. Tribute bands, street entertainers, interactive theatre, parades, acrobats fill the stages and the streets – more than you can see in one visit – so there’s also a Season Fun Pass that you can buy online or at participating branches of PFF Bank and Trust to come back as often as you want.

Take a more in-depth look at what goes on at the Los Angeles County Fair.

Photo © 2006 Kayte Deioma, courtesy of www.KayteDeioma.com