Ralphs Food Drive Fridays became Ralphs Feel Good Fridays as generous Fairguests donated 57,605 cans of Ralphs brand canned goods to support the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank. Volunteers from Victory Outreach in Ontario staffed the entrance gates to collect canned goods and issue free Fair admission to donors.

The goal for the food drive was 40,000 cans; we met that goal in week three and, at the end of the food drive, exceeded it by more than 40%! A big Fair thank you to donors, Fair gate staff, volunteers and sponsors!

The L.A. County Fair’s favorite emissary, Thummer, brought a little light into the lives of children at Pomona Valley Hospital & Medical Center and Casa Colina Rehabilitation Center when he stopped by with some stuffed animals, courtesy of Ray Cammack Shows (RCS), the folks who bring the carnival to the Fair each year. Nice work, Thummer! Thanks, RCS! 

For the last five years, the Foundations at Fairplex and the Rotary Club of Pomona have joined forces during the Fair to raise funds for community programs and give one lucky Fairgoer the opportunity to drive home in a beautiful classic car!

For just $20, you too can purchase a chance to win a 1966 Corvette Convertible at the raffle booth on Palm in front of Building 6.  For the last two years, the winner of the car purchased just ONE ticket.  Stop by and check out this amazing ride for yourself – someone is going to win, and it could be you! 

The winning ticket will be drawn on closing night of the Fair, Oct. 4, at 7 pm, and all of the proceeds benefit local causes like the education programs  at the L.A. County Fair!

A big thank you goes out to all the donors at Monday’s L.A. County Fair/American Red Cross blood drive. We had an overwhelming response with more than 155 donors saving 297 lives through their donations!!! That is fantastic. Donors received a free ticket to the Fair - and the gratitude of many.

The number of cans donated Sept. 18 for Ralphs Food Drive Friday. Bring five cans of Ralphs brand canned goods Friday, Sept. 25 and/or Friday Oct. 2 and get one FREE Fair admission for that date. Donations go to Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

Each weekday of the Fair, thousands of school children rush through the gates of the Fair for an experience they won’t forget. Our FairKids Discovery Club field trip program is a hands-on one-of-a-kind adventure. And it complies with the state Department of Education curriculum standards.

Today is a big day - more than 13,000 students are visiting the Fair, including FairView Farms, Going Green, Jurassic Planet and the Flower & Garden Pavilion. I saw many kids out there this morning taking notes in Going Green, obviously preparing for in-class discussions they will have when they return to school.

Last year more than 100,000 students and their chaperones visited the Fair. We hope it is more this year.

The heat has not deterred L.A. Dodger fans from coming out to the Fair today - Dodger Day. People are already lined up to meet Steve Garvey. And, believe me, are they excited!! Take a look:

Dodger greats will be here all day. You still have time to come out. If you are wearing Dodger gear, you’ll get half-off admisssion (with a coupon).

It is also USC Day. Their blood mobile is on Redwood Street - come out and give a pint!

College Thursday this week is USC Day! So on Sept. 17, all USC students, faculty and staff will receive free admission (with a coupon and valid ID). And we want everyone to bring out the Trojan in themselves and give blood at the USC Mobile Blood unit which will be on Redwood Street between Fairplex 4 and the Millard Sheets Center for the Arts.

Besides being a good Trojan and giving blood, you can also see a band presentation and a USC challenge.

This is just the beginning of the Fair’s College Thursdays. We don’t play favorites - UCLA day is Oct. 1.

That’s the initial count on the number of canned goods Fairguests donated to the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank on the first of four Ralphs Food Drive Fridays at the Fair. Bring your cans to any Fair entrance next Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and we’ll give you a ticket for complimentary Fair admission. and NO waiting in line!! Let’s double the number of donated cans next Ralphs Food Drive Friday on Sept. 18. And thanks!

They were lining up before the Fair opened with five cans of canned goods ready to donate to Los Angeles Regiona Foodbank in return for free Fair admission (with NO waiting in line). It was a win for everyone. As of 3 p.m. we had filled up eight huge wheeled bins with food for needy Los Angelenos.

You can join the movement. Bring 5 cans of Ralphs Private Selection canned goods on Friday Sept. 18, 25 and Oct. 2, noon to 6 p.m. and Fair admission is FREE!