History: 1921 to 1929

1921

A merchants' exposition held along the Southern Pacific Railway in downtown Pomona set the stage for things to come. Presented by Harry LaBreque, a promoter of community celebrations for Foley & Burke Shows, a railroad carnival, and Clinton B. “Jack” Afflerbaugh, a Pomona druggist and city councilman, the show consisted of exhibits in a tent and a carnival. The success of the show spurred Afflerbaugh and other local businessmen to look toward bigger things. At the time, Los Angeles County did not have a county fair, and the businessmen saw this as an opportunity to bring recognition to the City of Pomona. Lloyd Hamilton, a reporter for the Pomona Bulletin, overheard two Lions Club members discussing the idea and put it into print. One of those men, L.E. Sheets, a local music store owner who had been involved with fairs in Iowa, was then asked to present his plans to the Pomona Chamber of Commerce, which then took the idea of a fair to the city council.

1922

Although half a dozen attempts to bring a fair to L.A. County had failed, the board set out to start the first Los Angeles County Fair. A fair board was formed, and Sheets was named president. Afflerbaugh was first vice president and Charles P. Curran second vice president. Other officers included treasurer Fred Reynolds and directors Fred E. Whyte and W.A. Kennedy.

The City of Pomona agreed to purchase a 43-acre beet and barley field from the Ricardo Vejar estate for use as a fairground. Research revealed that the name "Los Angeles County Fair" was not registered. Afflerbaugh contacted Sacramento and the name was adopted at once. The fair was incorporated as the Los Angeles County Fair Association and Sheets served as its first president. According to its charter, it was organized "primarily for the promotion of the agricultural, horticultural and animal husbandry interests of the great Southwest."

Financing started with the sale of $28,000 in stock to local businessmen, but only $23,000 was realized because some of the pledges were not met. The sum was not sufficient for the necessary work, so an additional $15,000 was gathered from personal loans to committee members from local banks. Reluctantly, the County Board of Supervisors appropriated $10,000 to the Fair.

Ground was broken and access roads were built. A half-mile race track and a grandstand seating 4,000 were constructed. Two cattle barns, two livestock buildings, a livestock barn and an administration building were also built. Circus tents were purchased to house the agricultural and horticultural displays. A wooden fence surrounded most of the grounds.

The inaugural L.A. County Fair opened on Oct. 17, 1922, and ran for five days through Oct. 21. The hotels of Pomona were packed as 49,461 people visited the Fair, which cost promoters $63,000 to present. All obligations were paid and personal notes were redeemed. Harness racing, chariot races and an airplane wing walking exhibit were major highlights that year.

1923

Following the success and public acceptance of the first Fair, a $75,000 bond issue was approved for the construction of permanent buildings and a grandstand for horse racing. An additional 62 acres were purchased and deeded to the county.

1924

Afflerbaugh became the Fair's first paid manager, a post he held until 1960, when he died at the age of 72. Construction was completed on a building for women's activities (home arts). Attendance rose to 93,163.

1925

Fair attendance topped the 100,000 mark for the first time (102,991). It also marked the first time the Fair was held in September instead of October.

1926

The current administration building was designed by Pomona resident Peter Ficker and built at a cost of $10,000. The building served as the entrance to the Fair.

1928

The Fair gained international popularity and was mentioned in newspapers in Sweden, France, England, Mexico and in South America. The event was expanded to six days and drew 145,062 people.

1929

The Fair crowned its first queen. There was no formality in the selection of Edna Mae Paige, since the idea of a queen was designed for publicity purposes.