Fairplex

Updated June 11, 2025

Photos: Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona – Los Angeles Times

## Fairplex (Pomona, California): what it is, what happens there, and how to plan a smart visit

Fairplex is a large event campus in Pomona, California, best known as the long-time home of the Los Angeles County Fair. It’s operated as a nonprofit organization and runs in partnership with the County of Los Angeles. On top of the county fair, the campus hosts 500+ events per year, which means it can feel completely different depending on what’s on the calendar: a major fair, a niche expo, a museum day, or a ticketed sports event.

Address: 1101 W. McKinley Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768
General contact: (909) 623-3111

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## Why Fairplex is worth your time (even if you’re not “a fair person”)

Most big fairgrounds sit mostly idle outside their signature event. Fairplex is the opposite: it positions itself as an active, year-round venue with a large rotating schedule.

That creates two practical advantages for travelers:

– You can “time-box” the experience. Some events are a quick two-hour drop-in; others are full-day commitments. Checking the official “Upcoming events” list before you go prevents wasted time and mismatched expectations.
– You can pick your vibe. If you don’t want crowds and amplified music, you can choose a museum day or a smaller specialty show instead of the biggest weekends.

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## The anchor event: the Los Angeles County Fair

The Los Angeles County Fair is the headline reason many people associate Pomona with Fairplex. Fairplex is explicitly described as the home of the L.A. County Fair.

A useful historical point (because it shows how established the venue is): reputable local coverage notes the L.A. County Fair first opened in Pomona on October 17, 1922. SoCal

If you’re planning around the fair specifically, use the fair’s official site for the current year’s dates and logistics (tickets, parking, entry rules), since they can change season to season. LA County Fair

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## Beyond the fair: year-round things you can do on the grounds

Fairplex isn’t only a set of show buildings—it also hosts several visitor-facing experiences that can be the main reason to come, not just a side quest while a big event is running.

### RailGiants Train Museum (on-site)
Fairplex lists RailGiants Train Museum as an event/attraction on its platform.
The museum’s own site describes it as located at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona and focused on railroad history.

Planning tip: museum days typically have their own hours and entry rules that are separate from large ticketed events—verify on the museum schedule before you go.

### Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum (on-site)
The NHRA museum’s official site states it’s located on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Fairplex, inside a historic Art Deco exposition building, with collections centered on hot rodding and drag racing history. Museum

If you’re traveling with someone who’s even mildly into American car culture, this is one of those “unexpectedly great” stops because it’s not just cars lined up—it’s built around a story of the sport and the broader culture around it. Museum

### Major motorsports events at the Pomona dragstrip
The NHRA’s own information page calls the venue the home of the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals and the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, and it gives directions that explicitly reference “Pomona Fairplex.”

Even if you don’t attend race weekend, it’s useful context: Fairplex isn’t only fairs and expos—it’s also tied into large-scale sports event operations.

### Millard Sheets Art Center at Fairplex
Fairplex promotes the Millard Sheets Art Center as part of its programming, with exhibitions and community-oriented art programs.
If you like pairing an event venue with something quieter and more reflective, this is the kind of on-site counterbalance that makes Fairplex easier to enjoy.

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## How to plan your visit like a pro

Fairplex is not a single “attraction” with one set of hours, one ticket booth, and one predictable experience. It’s an event campus. Treat it that way.

### 1) Start with the event calendar, not Google Maps
Look up your exact date on the official Fairplex events calendar first. It’s the fastest way to answer:
– Is the campus hosting something huge (expect traffic and crowds)?
– Is it a smaller show (easier entry, shorter visit)?
– Is there a museum/open-program day you can build your visit around?

### 2) Expect event-specific entry rules
Tickets, entry gates, and allowed items can vary by event. Fairplex itself notes that artists/programs/prices are subject to change—another reason to rely on the official listing for your date.

### 3) Build a “two-stop” day so the drive pays off
Because Fairplex sits in the broader Pomona/SGV/LA region, the smartest itinerary move is pairing it with a second stop (a neighborhood meal, another nearby attraction, or a specific downtown walk). This keeps your day rewarding even if your Fairplex visit is shorter than expected.

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## Accessibility, inclusivity, and what to verify before you go

Because Fairplex hosts many different event organizers, accessibility services and accommodations are typically event-dependent. The safest planning approach:
– Check the specific event page you’re attending.
– If you need an accommodation (mobility access, seating, sensory considerations), use the event’s listed contact info or Fairplex’s general contact line.

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## Outdated-data watch (what to double-check)
A few commonly repeated facts about Fairplex vary across sources, so don’t treat them as fixed:

– Campus size: Fairplex describes itself as a 500-acre campus.
Other references sometimes cite different acreage figures, which may reflect different measurement methods or updates over time. If acreage matters for your planning, use Fairplex’s own current wording.
– Event dates and schedules: These change frequently; always confirm your specific date via the official event listing or the L.A. County Fair site.

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