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The L.A. County Fair is going to take guests on an expedition to one of our planet’s last frontiers – the world under the sea. Explore a kelp forest, get nose-to-nose with a fish, step inside a shark cage, crawl through a whale’s artery and more – all without holding your breath or getting wet. America’s Kids Under the Sea, presented by King Taco, is the place to be. While the exhibit is geared toward kids, sea lovers of all ages will enjoy exploring the depths of America’s Kids:
• Kelp Forest: Giant Kelp Forests can be found in oceans around the world and are considered the “Rainforests of the Sea.” Much like rainforests on land, kelp forests are a vital part of the ocean’s ecosystem and are home to many different creatures. From the sunny canopy layer to the darker ocean floor where the plants “hold fast,” many creatures seek food and shelter in the constantly swaying dense forests. As guests navigate their way through America’s Kids’ Kelp Forest, they’ll discover which creatures lurk on the bottom and who hides among the leaf-like blades. With the tabletop Sea Star puzzle, get a life-sized look at colorful and unusual sea stars that might resemble a snowflake or a star-shaped cookie. Speaking of food… What do grapes, cucumbers, lemons and strawberries have in common? They’re all creatures in the kelp forest.
• Shark Shack: Did you know that of the nearly 500 known species of sharks, more than 80% are actually smaller than humans? Visitors will find out everything they’ve always wanted to know about these fascinating animals. Compare the teeth and jaws of prehistoric and modern sharks, feel the texture of shark skin and match up the bite marks to the shark that made them. Measure up to the jaws of a Great White or check out the weird contents of a Tiger Shark’s stomach (they aren’t called “Garbage Can Sharks” for nothing!). Learn how scientists study sharks and why shark conservation is important. Do shark repellants really work? Visit the Shark Shack and find out. Be sure to step inside our authentic Shark Cage for a photo with a Great White. Check out the Australia Great White Shark Expedition” Stage Show. Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the L.A. County Fair. Come face-to-face with a 15-foot-long Great White shark at the America’s Kids Coral Reef Stage. Experienced ocean explorers Wayne & Karen Brown will take you on a fun and fast-paced multi-media adventure about the fear and fascination surrounding sharks. Join them on their voyage to find and dive with great white sharks in Australia’s Dangerous Reef. Show Times: Saturday – Monday, Sept. 5-7: 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.; then Saturdays and Sundays: 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. (FairKids Discovery Club field trips only) and 12:30, 2:30, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.
• Ocean Observation Center: Glimpse the realms of some amazing creatures from the sandy shores to the darkest depths. Uncover some fossils in the sand or observe live hermit crabs. Try on a hermit home and see what fits. Stop by the giant sand castle for some hands-on fun with shells and sand. Did you know that the Blue Whale is the largest and loudest animal on earth? Their hearts are as big as a Volkswagen bug and their arteries are large enough to crawl through. Compare the actual sizes of whales, dolphins, sharks and other creatures. There are wonderful sea creatures around every corner. Penguins, walruses, narwhals and seals take center stage in the Polar Palace where you’ll learn some fun and “chilly” facts. Guests can try their hand at our Moray Eel Puppet Cave and slither in and out of the rocky crevices with the other eels. See how inhabitants of the deepest sea create their own light where the sun never shines. Learn some new facts about sea turtles, crustaceans and rays. Don’t get caught in the tentacles of the Octopus den.
• And more: Don’t miss the Great Coral Reef, Seacoast Village, Atlantis Museum of Art and the Artists’ Grotto.
It’s easy to get lost in the ocean that is America’s Kids. The L.A. County Fair opens Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5 – 7 and then Wednesday – Sunday, Sept. 9 – Oct. 4, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Live thoroughbred racing Sept. 10 – 28, dark Mondays Sept. 14 and 21 and Tuesdays. For information about ways to save at the Fair, visit lacountyfair.com.
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