Diamond Bar community spirit hits the streets, walkways and stages of the L.A. County Fair Thursday, Sept. 17, during the annual Diamond Bar Day festivities. From saluting the city’s community heroes to cheering on the local schools and organizations in a parade to watching the ponies run in Diamond Bar’s honor, the day is fun for all.
Since it is your city’s day, don’t pay full price to join the fun at the Fair. Diamond Bar residents, employees and friends can receive a buy one, get one free admission coupon from various locations in the city. Then, the fun starts at 2:40 p.m. at Fairplex Park where the Race of the Day is named in honor of Diamond Bar. Don’t forget to stop by the Community Expo, where Diamond Bar businesses, civic and community organizations will fill Pepper Street with booths offering information and goodies.
At 5 p.m., line the Fair parade route and cheer on local civic organizations, schools and community groups as they march down Broadway. Taking a prominent place in the parade are the town’s Community Heroes. The young adult hero is Anantha Singarahah, a Diamond Bar High School student who has been named Leo of the World and Leo of the State by Lions International. The Lions sponsor Leo clubs on school campuses to promote community service. Anantha has served as president of the Leo club in her middle and high schools, as for the district. She volunteers with the Diamond Bar Breakfast Lions Club at its annual Easter egg hunt, White Cane days, Drumming for Kids and decorating the Lions float for the Rose Parade. Under her leadership, the Leo club at DBHS has grown to 300 students. Anantha organized a group of Leos to clean up the school gym after last November’s fires, when the evacuees left the gym to return to their homes. Her list of volunteer activities is extensive!
Mike and Marny Shay are the adult heroes. For the past 14 years, the couple has volunteered their time to offer free college preparation seminars at Diamond Bar High School and surrounding cities. They are lifetime members of the Diamond Bar Friends of the Library, supporting the group’s many functions. The Shays have also worked with various youth groups in the city such as the Leo club and DB4 Youth in Action. Mike is a member of the city’s Traffic and Transportation Commission and a board director for the Regional Chamber of Commerce – San Gabriel Valley.
Elizabeth Fan is also being honored as an adult hero. She is a board member with the Walnut Unified School District Educational Foundation. She works with them throughout the year and is especially involved with the annual Teddy Bear Tea, which raises money for the local school district. She has been active in Relay for Life in both Walnut and Diamond Bar, organizing registration and overseeing volunteers. Elizabeth also volunteers for St. Denis Church, serving on various groups and organizing food basket giveaways during holidays. As part of the area’s Catholic Charities’ Winter Shelter Coalition, Elizabeth fed more than 600 people last winter. For the past two years, she organized a drive to send care packages to service people in the military.
The three heroes will be feted at the Community Heroes Celebration at 5:30 p.m. at the Pepper Street Stage.
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 horse racing Sept. 10 – 28, dark Mondays Sept. 14 and 21 and Tuesdays. For information about ways to save at the Fair, visit lacountyfair.com.
The L.A. County Fair continues Wednesday – Sunday through Oct. 4, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Live thoroughbred horse racing Sept. 10 – 28, dark Mondays Sept. 14 and 21 and Tuesdays. For information on ways to save at the Fair, visit lacountyfair.com.
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