Offbeat L.A.: There’s a New State Fair in Town- FREE tickets

Cliff Hanger- State Fair at Santa Anita. Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

What a crazy 16 months it has been with the rollercoaster ride of coronavirus and a long void of anything fun in 2020. The blackhole of social distance may have ebbed & flowed, but we need playtime and human stimulation to keep us from going nuts. Thank goodness for vaccines! This year the 100-year old L.A. County Fair in Pomona is once again taking a time out, its second summer hiatus. There’s always a drive down to the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa, which runs through August 15th this year with some big name concert acts, but if you’re looking for a closer drive and a little more elbow room to breathe, you’re in luck this year- the debut of the State Fair  is just down the road in Arcadia at Santa Anita Race Track. 

Win a Stuffed Toy! State Fair at Santa Anita. Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

The brand new fair, which opened on July 29th and runs through August 22nd, is full of the typical theme rides, carny games, deep fried Twinkies and corn dogs the length of a grown man’s forearm, but since it is largely unknown it is far less crowded. The musical acts may not be as well known- think Van Halen or Beatles cover bands and mariachi- but they are great fun none the less. A beer tent is set up with live music and a multitude of cool selfie backdrops: wild west saloon, a garden set with swings, a chandelier to “swing” from and the back of an old country pickup truck.

Old West Saloon Selfie Backdrop (the author poses). Photo by Linda Kite

Linda Kite swings from a chandelier. Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

The expected Fair food is out with a vengeance- mountains of fries, funnel cakes and very big pieces of meat. There are about 50 rides and attractions, including three large ferris wheels and a few carnival funhouses. An Extreme Dog Stunt Show features trained dogs performing tricks and a Motocross Stunt Show is quite astounding with motorbikes somersaulting overhead and flying through the air Evil Knievel style.

Motocross in action. Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Land of Dinosaurs. Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Fair Food!! Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

The Santa Anita State Fair runs Thursdays through Sundays, 12 noon to 10pm until August 22. Admission is typically $12, but a promotion has been doling out FREE TICKETS, so do not hesitate to get yours. Parking is $10 and is worth paying, since neighborhood parking in Arcadia is a long hike. Ride packages can be purchased in advance at the fair’s website. We found it difficult to purchase single ride tickets from the automated kiosks on premises and there were no live ride ticket agents to assist, so take that into consideration as well. During this time of pandemic it is wise to wear masks, whether vaccinated or not, but be aware that at an outdoor event like this, there will be many people maskless. Please stay home if you feel the slightest bit sick and please, please, please get vaccinated if you are not.

The Santa Anita State Fair: Thurs- Sun July 29- August 22, 2021. 12 noon to 10pm. Santa Anita Park, 285 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA, 91007. Hotline  626.254.1330

The coolest couple. Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Olympic Bobsled. Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

The magic of the Fair. Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Selfie Station. Photo by Linda Kite

Danger! Star Dancer. Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Adorable Mexican Folk dancers. Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Haunted Mansion Funhouse. Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Mo’ Motocross. Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Everyone loves a sleigh ride. Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Hero City should be a ride featuring essential workers. Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Can there be too many selfie stations? That answer is debatable. Photo by a kind bystander

 

Nikki Kreuzer

About Nikki Kreuzer

Nikki Kreuzer has been a Los Angeles resident for over 30 years. When not working her day job in the film & TV industry, she spends her time over many obsessions, mainly music, art and exploring & photographing the oddities of the city she adores. So far she has written 110 Offbeat L.A. articles, published at the Los Angeles Beat. As a journalist she contributes regularly to LA Weekly, Blurred Culture and has also been published by Oddee.com, Twist Magazine, Strobe and Not For Hire. Nikki is also a mosaic artist, radio DJ and published photographer. Her photography has been featured in exhibit at the Museum of Neon Art, in print at the LA Weekly and in exhibit at the Neutra Museum in Los Angeles. She has recorded with the band Nikki & Candy as bassist, vocalist and songwriter, directing and appearing in the 'Sunshine Sunshine Santa Claus' music video for the band. She co-hosted the monthly radio show Bubblegum & Other Delights on Dublab.com for over two years. Her acting credits include a recent role in the ABC-TV show 'For The People', 'Incident at Guilt Ridge', 'Two and a Half Men', the film 'Minority Report' and 'Offbeat L.A.', a web series, written and hosted by Nikki Kreuzer. Her writing, radio and video portfolio can be found at OffbeatLA.com, her photography work @Lunabeat on Instagram and her music history posts @NikkiKreuzer on Twitter. Find Nikki & Candy music on iTunes or Amazon.
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5 Responses to Offbeat L.A.: There’s a New State Fair in Town- FREE tickets

  1. ALLEN BARKER says:

    It Looks Like Lots of Fun!!

  2. That’s right… protect all of your pictures. That way nobody on Facebook can share… and give you free publicity.

  3. B says:

    If the fair run animus 29 through August why are they selling tickets for earlier dates I got tickets for July 23rd

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