Valley Heritage Fair To Fill 3-Day Weekend

No matter what those basin-dwellers may think, Richard Hardman knows that the San Fernando Valley has a cultural heritage.

And this weekend Hardman and about 30,000 others will celebrate it at the second annual Valley Heritage Fair at Valley College.

The fair is different in that it celebrates the Valley’s multicultural heritage, said Hardman, founder and president of the All American Heritage Foundation Inc., which hosts the fair. “There are lots of fairs that focus on one single culture, but what we’re trying to do is bring groups together and say we’re all American.”

To that end, the fair has three themed days that focus on different aspects of Valley and American pride.

Saturday is Senior Heritage Day and includes a health fair, 11 a.m. opening ceremonies with Mayor Richard Riordan and the lighting of the “unity flame.” Admission is free to people 65 and older.

Sunday is Heritage Pride Day, Hardman said, a celebration of youth and different cultures. Events include a car show with classic cars, hot rods and lowriders, cultural dance and musical performances, carnival rides, arts and crafts, comedians and jugglers.

Memorial Day Monday is also American Pride Day and will include patriotic and big-band music, carnival rides, a 3 p.m. memorial service for soldiers who died in battle, a finale musical performance with entertainer Steve Allen and a fireworks display. The Valley Heritage Fair runs from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. all weekend at Valley College’s football stadium at the Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Burbank Boulevard intersection.

Admission is free for children 12 and younger. General admission is $2 plus the donation of a nonperishable food item for the Meet Each Need with Dignity pantry.

For information, call (818) 349-5676.