Latest news with #WalterMarquez
CBS News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Opening weekend at the L.A. County Fair brings fried food, spinning rides, and furry friends
The L.A. County Fair is officially underway, kicking off its first weekend with a vibrant mix of excitement, entertainment, food, and fun! From indulgent fair food and heart-racing rides to cuddly animals, there's something for everyone—though some attractions might be scarier than they appear. Below are some highlights. Mouthwatering Eats Guests can explore a mouthwatering variety from hundreds of food vendors, serving everything from pizza and nachos to deep-fried favorites, churros, barbecue, ice cream, and other indulgent treats. Among the fair's most legendary vendors is Chicken Charlie's, famously known for creating the deep-fried Oreo 25 years ago. Items on his menu include bacon-wrapped pickles, meatball mozzarella corn dogs, and roasted chili peppers with Flamin' Hot Cheetos atop queso blanco. Skate-R-Cade This year, organizers are placing a strong emphasis on affordability and fun, encouraging guests to step out of their comfort zones and try something new—even if it's been a while since their last spin around a skating rink. The skating rink comes with the price of admission. Popular Promotions and Rides Popular promotions are also making a comeback, including Food Drive Thursdays, where guests can receive free admission in exchange for a food donation. "On Thursdays, we have Food Drive Thursdays from 12 to 4. Come out, bring five cans of food, and get in free," said Walter Marquez, the Los Angeles County Fair CEO. Among other highlights are four brand-new rides, including a towering 160-foot attraction that flips and spins for an adrenaline-pumping experience. "Some like to spin you, some like to twirl you. Some flip you to the right, flip you to the left. Some do it all together all at once, it's an incredible time to come to the fair," Marquez said. Barnyard Races A fan favorite, the barnyard races, features piglets and lambs and continues to charm guests. Organizers encourage everyone to make time for this delightful and uniquely endearing event during their visit. The Big Red Barn In addition, the Big Red Barn features a petting zoo that is sure to delight, featuring goats, lambs, pigs, and other sweet animals who are waiting to be held and loved. For more information about the attractions, click here.
CBS News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Los Angeles County Fair kicks off Friday; here's a glimpse
The Los Angeles County Fair kicks off Friday, May 2, and it's come a long way since its origins in 1922 on 43 acres of a beet and barley field. The 2025 event at Fairplex in Pomona spans 500 acres and runs through May 26, with the theme "Art Unleashed." "Art is a reflection of the creative spirit, and at the Fair, it comes to life in countless forms, through crafts, culinary delights, and even the excitement of the carnival," Walter Marquez, president and CEO of Fairplex said. Food The Art of Flavor brings more than 150 food concessionaires throughout the entire fairgrounds. Some new menu items include the meatball corndog, the hot honey chicken ice cream bowl and the chocolate strawberry cup. Music The Art of Music takes center stage with 12 nights of rock, R&B, Reggae, Latin and Country music at the LA County Fair's Concert Series. Dubbed the World's Largest Indie Music Festival, NextFest brings LA's best indie artists to four stages throughout the fairgrounds. The Performing Arts Showcase, featuring hand-selected school bands, orchestras and choirs from around Los Angeles County, comes to Expo Hall 4 Stage on May 16 and 17. Rides Demonstrating the Art of Motion, Ray Cammack Shows carnival offers more than 40 rides, with four new ones added, including the Royal Wheel Ferris wheel and Heidi the Rollercoaster, and in Expo Hall 9, Skate-RCade returns with a bigger rink. Favorites Fair favorites like the Big Red Barn featuring the country's largest petting zoo, the Garden Railroad, the Shopping Marketplace, America's Great Outdoors, Silent Disco and more return for Art of Fun at the Fair. Art The Fair is partnering with several Los Angeles County art institutions to bring programming and activations to guests: the Music Center will bring Flamenco dancers to the Plaza Stage; The Getty Museum is bringing its Getty Pavilion which intersects well-being and art; the Center Theater Group is creating a new play starring Fair mascot Thummer, which will be performed every weekend; and Bob Baker Marionettes will perform every Sunday. For the third year, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art will curate an exhibit for the Millard Sheets Art Center Tickets Opening day is at 5 p.m. May 2, with a special admission price of $9.50. After that, adult admission varies daily from $18.50 to $27.50. Children, 6-12 and seniors 60 years and older get in for $15.50. At the gate, adult tickets are $32. Children and seniors get in for $17. Parking purchased online is $22.50. At the gate it's $26. Get discount tickets and season passes online at
