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A well as deep and rich as the history of the Los Angeles County Fair Association attracts individuals strong in leadership, innovation and character, synonymous with the 2008 inductees into the Association’s Hall of Fame.
The LACFA proudly welcomes the newest Hall of Fame inductees, Sarah Ludwick, Wally Parks and Millard Sheets, diverse and unique in character, incalculably abundant in talent and contributions.
Linda Keagle, LACFA board member, heads up the Hall of Fame nominating committee. She said, “The Hall of Fame was established in 2001 and is a tangible way to pay tribute to the superior individuals who have brought so much to our organization. They inspire us with their service and it’s a privilege to honor them.”
Sarah Ludwick’s role in child development, education and philanthropy is boundless. She has been a proponent of youth and learning— an advocate, a voice and a leader by example and action.
Sarah received a master’s degree in child development from the University of La Verne. The advancement of children emotionally, physically and developmentally is a cause that is near and dear to her. She was instrumental in organizing the highly successful and popular annual auction for the Fairplex Child Development Center in 1991, which to date has raised more than $1.1 million to benefit the children of the world-renowned facility. Sarah continues in that role 17 years later. She and her husband, Art, were honored with the 2002 Distinguished Alumni Award from ULV, honored by the LACFA at its Premiere Party in 2004, resulting in the more than $135,000 that went to the center from contributions of the attendees, and most recently saluted, along with her husband, by LeRoy Haynes Center for the couple’s generosity unflaggingly given to that organization. The Ludwicks were honored by the Glendora Chamber of Commerce in 1987 as Citizens of the Year.
Giving is nothing new to Sarah Ludwick. She serves as president of the Ludwick Family Foundation making grants to public charities throughout the United States and operating a program focused on youth civic education, supporting many organizations and endeavors with their gift-giving and pledges. Sarah currently serves as president of The University Educational Trust at Cal Poly Pomona, is on the board of directors of Cal Poly Partners in Education Program, and as a director on the board of the Fairplex Child Development Center Foundation. She and Art reside in Glendora and are the parents of three grown children.
Wally Parks could have been named Wally Drives; he didn’t do neutral and he didn’t do park— he was a dynamic man of motion, speed and vision. He was the driving force behind the National Hot Rod Association, drag racing, street legal drags and the growth and recognition attained by Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. He founded the NHRA in 1951 and remained actively involved in NHRA business and functions until his death in 2007 at the age of 94. Wally Parks possessed an indomitable spirit and leadership qualities that were admired by many; he was the unassuming recipient of innumerable awards and accolades. He has been described as a friend, a gentleman, a leader and entrepreneur, an astute businessman, humble and creative, and possessing a great sense of humor. One everlasting tribute is the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum which opened on the Fairplex grounds in 1992. The automotive haven showcases 50 years of motorsports history and memorabilia attracting race fans from near and far. And, Wally Parks’ enormously popular vision of drag racing continues with the Winternationals each February and the World Finals each November at famous Pom
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