By Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

In two weeks, the Pomona Fairplex will host a downsized version of the Los Angeles County Fair appropriately called the Bite-Sized Fair. This year’s event is a preview of the iconic fair, which itself will move from its usual autumn timeframe to the spring beginning next year and celebrating its centennial anniversary.

But that won’t mean its 99th year will be a dud. The new and upcoming Bite-Sized Fair will feature a special emphasis on food and shopping with fairgoers able to snag their fair share of food favorites and knick-knacks from dozens of unique vendors.
Returning this year are some of the fair’s most iconic food vendors, including Backyard BBQ Chicken, Bacon A Fair, Texas Donuts, Chicken Charlie’s, Chuckwagon BBQ, Pink’s Hot Dog, Mom’s Bakeshoppe, Hot Dog on a Stick, Pepe’s Mariscos, Roast Beef, Funnel Cake, Tasti Burgers and Olde Tyme Ice Cream, to name a few.

Though the fair might not be as grand, it will feature over 20 rides and games capable of socially distancing crowds, including tea cups, jungle gym, the skyflyer, the clown house [of mirrors] and more.

Parking ($10) and admission tickets ($2) for this year’s fair must be purchased in advance online, as neither will be available at the gates. When buying tickets this year, fairgoers essentially reserve the day they want to attend. If you accidentally purchase a ticket for the wrong day, the website states “[ticket] dates can be changed based on availability for dates that are not sold out.” Ticket information is available at https://tinyurl.com/Bite-Sized-Fair-Tix or by calling the ticket office at (909) 865-4070. There will not be a season pass for the Bite-Sized Fair.

The Bite-Sized Fair is scheduled to run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between September 10 and 26 at the Pomona Fairplex, located at 1101 West McKinley Avenue in Pomona.

Given the ongoing pandemic and the Delta variant, the Bite-Sized Fair will follow all Los Angeles County Public health department guidelines when it comes to outdoor gatherings and masking requirements. Due to its small-scale, disabled parking will be available; however, scooters, wheelchairs and strollers will not be available to rent.

For more information, call their general information line at (909) 623-3111, email them at info@lacountyfair.com or go to https://www.lacountyfair.com/visit/bite-sized-fair.