LA COUNTY FAIR, MORE THAN JUST A FAIR      

        We learned this week that the Los Angeles County Fair (FAIRPLEX) is more than just a Fair, or place where annually there are races, exhibitions, and fun activities.  It is into education.  Our guest speaker, Jim Henwood, the president and CEO of the Los Angeles Country Fair Association, which operates the Fair and grounds under a long term lease with the County of Los Angeles, explained that the mission of the Fair is more than entertainment and hosting a county fair.

        We were told that the foundation supports the educational programs of the Fairplex Child Development Center, the Millard Sheets Center for the Arts at Faiplex and all of the lifelong learning that takes place during the Fair and throughout the year.  These non-profit organizations raise money through special events, donations, grants, and planned gifts such as bequests, trusts gifts of stock and any other type of assets.  All gifts are tax deductible.

        Each of the Foundations has its own unique mission of improving and enhancing the educational opportunities at Fairplex and at the L. A. County Fair.  The Fairplex Child Development Foundations works to create youth educational opportunities as well as to expand education programs beyond the 23 days of the L.A. County Fair to a year round basis.  The Millard Sheets Center for the Arts presents post-Fair exhibits and operates on a year round basis to provide a major arts venue to the local community that present diverse, relevant and progressive exhibitions, offering  a personal connection to the past, present and future through art.

        The foundation recognizes that not all persons are candidates for a college education and strives to provide learning and training to more technical skilled jobs.

        As far as the Fair Grounds are concerned, the Fair has been operating at the present location since 1922.  It comprises 543 acres in both the City of Pomona and County of Los Angeles.  It is expected that the Gold Line will traverse a portion of the property and allow for construction of a multi-modal transportation center at the property.

        The Fair is still committed to Agriculture, but with the change from a rural to urban area, the opportunities in this area are not as great.  The Fair will continue to show animals and display agricultural products.