POMONA, CA – For just the second time in its nearly 100-year history, the LA County Fair will go on a hiatus, with no spin of the Ferris Wheel, no farm filled with animals and no legendary bands in the Grandstand this September.
The 2020 LA County Fair, slated for Sept. 4-27, has been canceled due to the limitations placed on large public gatherings by state and county public health officials because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the safety and well-being of guests, Fair officials are following the guidelines of public health officials who are advising against large public gatherings for the remainder of the year.
The decision to cancel the Fair was made after discussion between Fair organizers and Los Angeles County officials. It was not an easy decision to make, Fairplex President and CEO Miguel A. Santana 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,” Santana said. “The LA 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.”
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Los Angeles County Fair Association Board of Directors’ Chair Heidi Hanson concurred.
“We really had no choice, as hard as it was. The one thing we can promise is that the LA County Fair will be back, better than ever – especially as we plan for our Centennial.”
The Fair will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2022. 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 First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, in whose district the Fair resides, said it will be disappointing, but necessary to miss the end-of-summer celebration.
“Like many of you, I grew up eagerly anticipating each year’s opening of the LA County Fair, and I cherish my family memories of this special yearly event,” said Solis. “Unfortunately, we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel the LA 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.”
