Faiplex Blog - Official Blog of Fairplex - Home of the L.A. County Fair

Hanging with the BIG Boys at NHRA Drags

Insider — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:00:24 +0000

WOW, I just went on a mini tour of the Auto Club NHRA Finals and I can safely say that I will never look at the Drag racing the same again! First, I walked through an area known as THE PITS there I saw and heard the loudest most amazing looking drag cars and motorbikes I have ever seen in my life. Even better, I saw how some of the beast machines were built and fixed up to beat the competition.

Then I made my way to the Sky Boxes, where only the VIPs sit and enjoy an exclusive crystal clear view of the drag races and the entire event! It’s a great place to catch a photo like the one posted at the bottom.

After my trip to the Sky Boxes, I found myself at the Staging Area. There I saw what looked like a pack of drag cars waiting impatiently to be driven at Full Throttle™ . It’s a great opportunity to check out the drag cars up close and see the hard work that is being put into these astonishing machines.

Continuing my journey, I made my way on over to the Top Eliminators Club, where food from the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel was served and eaten by me (in my mind).

After this awesome mini tour, drag racing at the Auto Club NHRA Finals will never be the same for me. It’s one thing to sit on the bleachers and watch the drag races. It’s a whole other experience to see them when you’re high–like up on the skyboxes, rolling with the big guys.

Do the Drags Right

Insider — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:00:07 +0000

Looking for a different experience this weekend? Check out the Auto Club NHRA Finals right here at Fairplex. Now for a step-by-step guide to looking like a die-hard fan this weekend.

Arrive early! The best time to get autographs and enjoy the pits (not to mention finding some prime parking) is before the racing starts.
While wandering the pits, feel free to chit-chat with people like you know what you’re doing. “Hey, did you see John Force’s qualifying run last week?” Simple statements like that make you seem much more knowledgeable than you are.
Before walking up to a driver to get his autograph, make sure you know his (o her) name. Their faces are huge on the sides of their trailers and their names are always there too. You have no excuses for not knowing who Brandon Bernstein is when his face is plastered about 12 feet high.
Now this is one decision you get to make: Do you buy a t-shirt or just ask the drivers to sign the cards they provide? If you buy the t-shirt, be sure to put it on so they can sign your back (this is the ultimate in pit groupie cool).
Find a good spot to sit. Now, depending on which tickets you purchased, you may have a reserved seat or you may not. If you do, come and go as you please, but if you don’t, you are going to need to camp out in your spot for quite some time.
Earlier, I mentioned Brandon Bernstein. If you do see him, wish him luck in his new ventures. Budweiser is pulling out of NHRA at the end of these races, and he has found a great new team.
Drink water and wear sun-block! You are sitting outside all day. I don’t care if it is overcast, the UV rays still come through and you can still get dehydrated (sunstroke is definitely not pit groupie cool).
And, the most important one…HAVE FUN! The Drags only come twice a year and they can be a great experience.

If you follow all my steps you are sure to have a great weekend! The Auto Club NHRA Finals run now through Sunday at Fairplex.

It’s a “Petstravaganza” at West Coast Pet Expo

Sparky — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:31:01 +0000

Rescue and adopt a new four-legged friend, audition for The Dog Whisperer TV show, meet Pabst, the World’s Ugliest Dog and Brewster, the World’s Tallest Puppy, meet the Wildlife Waystation’s exotic residents, including a bobcat and a Golden Eagle, meet Disney’s Air Bud, USC’s white horse mascot, Traveler, marvel at the agility cats and the handicapped Valley View Vaulters. It’s all at the West Coast Pet Expo this weekend at Fairplex.

Saturday, Nov. 14 – Sunday, Nov. 15
Fairplex 4
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission: (cash only) ATMs are available
$10 for Adults
$6 for Seniors (65+)
$6 for Children ages 4-12
Free for kids under 3

Beauty and the Beasts at Fairplex

Scoopster — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:57:27 +0000

Beauty: Today is the last day to get a steal of a deal on your favorite nail, hair, skin and spa products, gifts & accessories at the Salon & Spa Buyers Bazaar. Beasts: Saturday, Nov. 14, is the Junior Livestock Auction, which supports college students, 4-H and FFA members who are the future of CA agribusiness. Even if you’re not ready to buy a whole cow, you can bid and donate the proceeds to charity to support these hard-working kids.

Enjoy a pancake breakfast (small charge for this), bidding instruction if you’re new to livestock auctions and a look at country life and cowboy humor from the FairView Farms ambassador, Sky Shivers. The JLA is a program of the Fairplex Education Foundation.

Salon & Spa Buyers Bazaar FINAL DAY
FREE admission with coupon
Fairplex 6
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Junior Livestock Auction
FairView Farms
Saturday, Nov. 14
11 a.m.

All Aboard for Southwest Garden Railroad Show

Insider — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:00:06 +0000

The small world of garden railroads is a hobby the whole family can enjoy. Everything you need is at this show, including tools, parts, clinics and authentic railroad items, along with dioramas and displays. You’ll meet some nice garden railroad enthusiasts who will be happy to help you get started. The Fairplex Garden Railroad operates during the show. Saturday, Oct. 31-Sunday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission $10; age 16 and under are free.

Dog Lovers! It’s the All-Breed Dog Show at Fairplex

Sparky — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:40:55 +0000

Hi folks. Sparky the dog here. It’s time for the So Cal version of “Best In Show”–you know, that movie about show dogs and their uh . . . interesting owners? We’re all back in town, trained and fluffed and eager to compete for treats and trophies in the All-Breed Dog Show, Friday, Oct. 30-Sunday, Nov. 1, Grandstand pavilion and grounds. It’s free, too!

Flat Track Motorcycle Races Sat. at Fairplex

Insider — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:37:42 +0000

AMA/Gene Romero Grand National Flat Track Championship is ON for Saturday, Oct. 24 in the Grandstand infield. This is the deciding race for AMA Champion and it’s the first time in 10 years that AMA’s Pro Grand National Twin Flat Track Series has come to So Cal. Buy tickets online, at local Harley dealerships or the Fairplex box office on the 24th. Gates open and practice starts at 3:30 p.m.; first race at 6:30 p.m. Admission $10-$40; ages 5 and under free.

Harley Davidson lovers and the charities they support hope that California Bike Week and Love Ride 26, brought down by the economy, will return next year to carry on their 25-year tradition.

Rockin’ Roller Derby at Fairplex

Insider — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:26:16 +0000

The newly released movie, Whip It, has put a well-deserved spotlight on the fast-action sport of roller derby. Saturday, Oct. 24, the Los Angeles FireBirds will take on Mizz Georgia Hase’s Brooklyn RedDevils in banked track roller derby up-close and live in Fairplex 10 at 8 p.m.

This is some crazy kind of fun. “What makes ‘Whip It’ a blast is the action in the rink,” said Betsy Sharkey in the Los Angeles Times. Even mild-mannered Alex Cohen, host of KPCC’s “All Things Considered” becomes “Axles of Evil” roller-derby girl by night. She is a champion of the sport, which began in Depression-era America, and was tapped to teach “Whip It” stars the basics.

Fairplex 10
Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 p.m.
Ticket hotline: (800) 838-3006 or
Order tickets online [Tip: buy tickets in advance. General admission is half price; VIP is $5 off]

What a Nightmare!

Scoopster — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:33:54 +0000

Nightmare at Scareview Farms, a “scarifying” new Fairplex Halloween event. A sneak preview this week made the Scoopster very glad it was daylight. Oct. 16-18, 23-25 and 30-31, 6 – 11 p.m. $19.99 per person; use the coupon below for $5 off. Come if you dare.

After the Fair . . . mayhem reigns!

Scoopster — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:23:56 +0000

After the Fair . . .

The wild animals go back to their homes in Africa, Barbie goes home to Ken, the kiddie carnival rides come down, the beer and food stands close and Fairview Farms becomes . . . Nightmare at Scareview Farms, a haunted Halloween house of terror. Zombies stalk you. Pirates of the Dead Seas wait to drag you into their hellish eternity in Davey Jones’ locker. The “cold ones” wait for you in The Vampire Vault. If you get lost, just follow the screams of terror! Be afraid, people. Be very afraid.

Nightmare at Scareview Farms
Open three weekends:
Oct. 16-18; 23-25 & 30-31
Admission: $19.99 per person