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.

One of the traditions of the Fair is the Culinary contests and competitions - we still give out blue ribbons for Grandma’s apple pie. What’s fun is watching contestants compete against each other at the on-site competitions - especially when the contestants happen to be married to each other.

That was the scenario today at the Tamale! Tamale! Tamale! competition. Camille and Erik Waage of San Dimas arrived with their entries at the same time (well, they did drive together from home). they placed their competing tamales at the judges’ tables. You could see the competitive fires burning inside husband and wife. Ok, fine, they sat together, relaxing and chatting. Sheesh, work with me here, people!

After tasting Camille’s red chile pork tamales and Erik’s Tilamook pepper jack cheese tamales, the judges compared notes. It took only a few minutes of discussion before a winner was revealed: the blue ribbon goes to (drumrollllll) Camille! It was tough, but the judges liked the flavorful pork a little more than the cheese, although they did say the cheese recipe was a good, tasty simple recipe.

The Waages revealed there is no fiery discord in their kitchen. Camille is the true family cook; for Erik, cooking is more of a hobby. Their love of culinary adventures comes from both of their mothers, who, the couple said, are excellent cooks. And both Erik and Camille are previous winners at the Fair. The couple are passing down their cooking abilities and competitive edge to their 5-year-old daughter, who took home a blue ribbon in the Fair’s America’s Kids chocolate chip cookie contest.

The family that cooks together, wins a lot of ribbons!

Ever see a bunch of short-legged dogs run in thick dirt? Very funny. The Wiener Dog races had several heats at the L.A. County Fair - all very funny indeed. One racer, Blazer from Newport Beach, well, it was a miracle he made it to the end. At 35 lbs, he was the biggest contestant (he eats cat chow! Who knew cat chow was so high caloric?). Take a look:

Sally from Orange won this heat. Take a look at Blazer:

We have a ton of great classes at the Wine & Spirits Marketplace, so be sure to check out the class schedule before you head to the Fair (or check the Fun Guide if you are here). Today we have vodka tasting all day! Now that will make the carnival rides spin a little faster for you!

Today at 5 p.m. it’s Wine, Cheese and Chocolate; tomorrow don’t miss Wines of Spain at 7 p.m.; and Wednesday it’s Picnic & Pink with Stacie Hunt - lots of fun! Check out the entire schedule here.

Let the trumpet blare! The race you’ve been waiting for is here! We’re not talking ponies at Fairplex Park. It’s the Wiener Dog races! Yes, tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 19, those cute little dachshunds will be racing to the finish line, in their cute little puppy dog silks. Races begin at 1:10 p.m. at the horse track, and will run every hour after that until 5 p.m. Go cheer for your favorite dog!

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!

Tomorrow, Sept. 17, is Dodger Day and USC Day! It’s a big day. See Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Bill Russell (and more) and the Trojan Marching Band, as well as a USC carnival competition. The day is packed with fun and excitment, so stop by!

USC students, faculty and staff get in free with valid ID and coupon. Fans wearing Dodger gear get in half-price, with a coupon from lacountyfair.com.

USC is hosting a blood drive on Redwood Street.

Dodger greats sign autographs:
Steve Garvey: 3-4pm
Bill Russell: 4-5pm
Maury Wills: 5-6pm
Ron Cey: 6-7pm
Tommy Davis: 7-8pm

Have you been to the hillside behind the Flower & Garden Pavilion? That is where you will take a Safari Adventure. The area is nicely decorated with Zimbabwe ruins and there are quite a few wild animals to see. The hillside is home to camels, zebras, ostriches and a few Basenjis. We even have parrot shows up there.

There are a lot of trees, so lots of shade up there. Nice place to walk or sit and have lunch. A musician plays some great music, too.

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.