Renovations to the 93-year-old Fairplex Grandstand, home to the LA County Fair’s Concert Series and other events, will begin this year.
Located in the center of the 500-acre campus, the 8,000-seat concrete and steel Grandstand was constructed in 1932. The 12,000-square-feet exhibit below the Grandstand, home to the Fair’s Home Arts department, will be a part of the maintenance. During the renovation, the Grandstand will be completely closed for just the third time in its existence, with full campus closures during World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At the age of 93, it isn’t surprising that the Grandstand needs some attention,” said Walter Marquez, Fairplex President and CEO. “It is obviously well built, a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship used to create all of the architecturally beautiful structures on our campus. But infrastructure needs to be maintained, and that is what we are doing.”
A major overhaul to the Grandstand, and the four-story Clubhouse which was added in 1964, was conducted in 1986.
Marquez said the scope of work is being prepared, which will determine the timeline for the project.
The renovations will not hinder the operations of the 2025 LA County Fair, nor any other events at Fairplex. The Fair is scheduled for May 2 – 26, including 12 nights of entertainment as part of the Fair’s Concert Series. Concert will be relocated to the north field of the Grandstand’s infield. The stage and seating are already being prepared. The concert series lineup will be announced soon; tickets will continue to be sold through Ticketmaster.
“It will be a relatively seamless move from the center of the Grandstand to the north field,” Marquez said. “Concerts will feature ground-floor seats and bleacher seating. The field has successfully hosted several concerts, most recently the No Values Festival last June. It’s a great space offering comfortable seating and great sound. Our concertgoers will be pleased.”
The Fair’s Home Arts – where all arts, crafts, quilts, children’s competitions and culinary contests are held – will move to the Fair’s Expo Hall 5. Entries for Home Arts, Preserved Foods, Bakes Goods and Confections are currently open.
For more information on the LA County Fair, visit www.lacountyfair.com, or see a list of events at Fairplex at www.fairplex.com.
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