3-Day Valley Heritage Fair Opens

Under the backdrop of a gray, cloudy sky, Mayor Richard Riordan, several other political leaders and singer Pat Boone opened the annual Valley Heritage Fair Saturday to a sparse crowd of mostly elderly fair-goers.

Riordan--clad in khakis and plaid shirt--said the fair’s theme coincided perfectly with Los Angeles’ diversity.

“The word heritage connotes unity, and unity is what makes the most diverse city in the world, Los Angeles, thrive and be the best city in the world,” he said at the fair, which continues through Monday at Los Angeles Valley College’s football stadium.

“L.A. is a wonderful mosaic of 150 races, creeds, sexual orientations, ethnic groups, and each is an important jewel in the mosaic,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Panorama City) and Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) joined Riordan in touting the benefits of the city and the fact the San Fernando Valley is an integral part of L.A.’s strength.

Pat Boone sang “Can’t We Get Along,” a song he wrote based on Rodney King’s famous plea after the 1992 riots.

Riordan’s appearance at the fair marked his approximately 40th visit to the Valley in 1996.

He has been seen far more frequently in the Valley since talk of a possible secession resurfaced this year.

Riordan confirmed the secession proposal is the reason for his increased visibility in the Valley.

He denounced the secession as being “very, very bad for the city and the San Fernando Valley.”