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In an exchange of cultural and educational enrichment, the L.A. County Fair is establishing a Sister Fair relationship with Feria Nacional de San Marcos, the National Fair of San Marcos, located in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
A number of dignitaries from Aguascalientes and the National Fair will visit the L.A. County Fair the weekend of Sept. 19-21 to officially sign the Sister Fair agreement.
“This Sister Fair relationship will provide enrichment in fine arts, traditional arts and crafts, along with internationally recognized entertainment,” said Jim Henwood, president and CEO of the Los Angeles County Fair Association. “We believe these value added benefits will quickly produce and generate increased revenue, attendance, visibility and prestige to the L.A. County Fair.”
San Marcos officials are equally certain of the economic benefits of this relationship. The governor of Aguascalientes, Felipe Gonzalez Gonzalez, along with Edmundo Valdez, the director of general tourism for the state of Aguascalientes; Roberto Diaz, president of the board, Feria Nacional de San Marcos; Ing. Roberto Garcia, board member and concessionaire of the fair fun zone; Ruben Camarillo, minister of economic development for Aguascalientes; and major industrialist Norberto Macias will be part of the Mexico delegation.
The delegation is scheduled to tour the L.A. County Fair Saturday, Sept. 20. Formalization of the sister fair relationship will be marked with the signing of the agreement at the L.A. County Fair board room.
Both fairs have long-standing histories in their respective locations. Aguascalientes islocated in the heart of Mexico. The National Fair of San Marcos is the largest and oldest fair in
Mexico and Latin America. It draws more than five million visitors during 22 days. The fair celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2003. The fair is described as “mas que una feria” – more than a fair. Visitors typically find arts exhibits, theater, arts and crafts, instruction, fashion and design exhibits, entertainment, dancing, fun zone, livestock and events unique to Mexico such as bull fights, horse racing, charro competitions and casino gaming.
The L.A. County Fair began in 1922 on just 43 acres as a merchants’ exposition in what was a beet and barley field in Pomona. The Fair has grown to a 487-acre destination spot with a hotel – Sheraton Suites Fairplex – and several other additions, including Barretts Equine Sales Complex, the Child Development Center (a full-time child care facility), Fairplex Park, home of live thoroughbred racing during the Fair, the Fairplex KOA/RV Park, the Millard Sheets art gallery, Pomona Raceway and the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. More than one million guests visit the Fair each year.
For more information on the L.A. County Fair, visit the Web site at lacountyfair.com or call (909) 623-3111.
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