The Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona lasts 18 days, starting the early in September - this year it will run from September 5 to September 28, 2008 (closed Mondays & Tuesdays).

It is the largest county Fair in all of North America, drawing a million and a half visitors each year, and a good spot to see some of your favorite performers in concert.

You'll find a lot of oldie acts out at Fairplex. Featured musical performers in the past have included
Huey Lewis & the News ("The Heart of Rock & Roll"), Johnny Rivers ("Poor Side of Town"), The Association ("Windy"), Three Dog Night ("Joy to the World"), Jan & Dean ("Dead Man's Curve"), The Commodores ("Three Times a Lady"), Sister Hazel, Hall & Oates, the Pointer Sisters, Peter Frampton, Smashmouth, Cheap Trick, Bryan White, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Randy Travis, Vonda Shepard, dc Talk, The Temptations, The Neville Bros, Pat Benatar, The Doobie Brothers, REO Speedwagon, Steven Curtis Chapman, Kool & The Gang The Righteous Bros, The Beach Boys, Monica, Jennifer Paige/Blaque, Jars of Clay, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, The Four Tops, The Isley Brothers, The Moffatts, Clay Walker, Isaac Hayes, Kansas and Juice Newton.

Most of these concerts are free with admission to the Fair.

 Click here for this year's concert schedule.

In 2007, the performers at the Fair included Tower of Power, The B-52’s, Earth, Wind & Fire and Lifehouse.  (Click here to read the 2008 schedule.)

In 2006, the performers included: Heart, Pat Benatar, LeAnn Rimes, Donna Summer, Montgomery Gentry and The Doobie Brothers.

In 2005, the acts included Crosby, Stills & Nash, ZZ Top, Hall & Oates, Sugar Ray, Hoobastank, War, Tower of Power, Lifehouse, The Village People, KC and the Sunshine Band and José Feliciano.

2004 saw performers such as Jackson Browne, Willie Nelson, Lonestar, and The Doors of the 21st Century.

In 2003, concert acts included Willie Nelson, War, the B-52's, Earth, Wind & Fire, Styx, Brad Paisley, KC and The Sunshine Band, Tower of Power and REO Speedwagon. Most shows were scheduled for 8 p.m.

Pomona is so far northeast of central Los Angeles that many people tend to think of Pomona as part of Orange County or San Bernardino County. But in fact, Pomona is actually on the northeastern edge Los Angeles County.

Pomona boasts a permanent fairgrounds (called Fairplex) covering almost 500 acres. It features lushly landscaped grounds, over 200 permanent display buildings, a ski-lift ride, shady picnic areas, livestock barns & stables, a model farm, one of the world's largest miniature train displays, contests, judgings, two rodeos, fireworks, pot-bellied pig races, fine arts, a Mexican Village, numerous exhibitions, gardens, a huge midway full of carnival rides and games, tons of food, a full-size thoroughbred race track, and 13 stages featuring live entertainment. (Alas, the Arrowhead monorail, pictured above, was recently removed from the Fairgrounds.)

Most of the big name entertainers appear either at the Fair's race course or at the Fairplex Hill stage, but there are also lots of small bands and acts throughout the Fair: mimes, balloon artists, clowns, jugglers, magicians, steel-drum bands, Blue grass groups, Dixieland bands, local acts... plus fireworks.

(Be warned that the late summer heat in Pomona can be particularly oppressive in September. Try to pick a relatively cool day for your visit.)

Parking: Large paid parking lots:
                 General Parking: $ 10 / Preferred Parking: $ 15 /
                 Red Lot Parking: $20 /Hotel Valet Parking: $25.

Admission Prices:

Opening day admission is only $1.

Regular admission on other days:

Adults: $17 on weekends, $12 on weekdays.
Seniors (60+): $14 on weekends, $9 on weekdays (just $6.00 on 'Senior Wednesdays')
Children (6­12): $12 on weekends, $7 on weekdays.
Adult Season Pass (13+): $50.
Child Season Pass (6­12): $24.
(Children 5 and under are always free.)

Hours: The Fair begins in September and runs for approximately three weeks. In 2008, the Fair runs from September 5 through September 28, 2008. Gates are open: Wednesday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thursday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.; - Friday 11 a.m.-12 midnight; Saturday 10 a.m.-12 midnight; Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.  Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays.  (Buildings open one hour after the gates open.). Phone for exact dates and hours of this year's Fair.

Click here for a 2008 map of the Fairgrounds.

 Getting there: From Hollywood, take the Hollywood (2) Freeway south (about six miles) to downtown Los Angeles, where it becomes the San Bernardino (10) Freeway. Take the San Bernardino (10) Freeway east (about 26 more miles) to Pomona, and exit at one of three offramps: Fairplex Drive, White Avenue or Garey Avenue, then follow the signs north to the fairgrounds.