Fair Game

Ken Smith leaned over, measured the distance from his hand to the plate and, with a delicate touch, tossed a shiny quarter into the air and waited.

It sailed over his previous 17 quarters and bounced off its target--a clear glass dinner plate, which sat atop a mountain of prized stuffed animals. All eyes were on the quarter as it then flipped in the air before landing in the middle of the plate, producing a collective sigh of relief from Smith and his family.

“I’ve spent about $5 at this, and I finally won,” Smith said. “There’s no real strategy; just throw it and see what happens.”

His success at the popular coin toss earned a stuffed clown for the Burbank man’s 3 1/2-year-old son, Mathew--a memento of the 1998 Valley Fair and Rodeo.

The four-day event concluded Sunday at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, giving adults and children one last chance to win a prized stuffed animal, feed and pet the farm animals or take part in other festivities, including live entertainment, livestock shows and carnival rides.

Jana Collins, public relations director for the fair, said this year’s event has been a success. “We got great exposure, and the cool weather brought people out,” she said.

Julie Watson of Valley Village said she took her daughters--Heather Prater), 8, and Victoria Naos, 5--to the fair Friday but brought them back on Sunday so they could take in more rides. Watson said they arrived at 12:30 p.m. and bought ride wristbands, which gave the girls unlimited access until 2 p.m.

“We did as many rides as we could and now we are just looking around,” Watson said as her daughters eyed a replica of an Imperial Tie-Fighter. The “Star Wars” spacecraft was one of many science-fiction displays inside the celebrity house, a new exhibit this year.

Margaret Kazanteno of Burbank said she brought her daughter, Alexandria, to the fair so the 2 1/2-year-old could gain an appreciation for animals.

“I don’t care about the fair-type stuff,” Kazanteno said. “I want Alexandria to learn about animals and how to be nice to them.”

Alexandria and her friend, Nicholas Skovinski, 4, of Burbank strolled down the rows of livestock barns, peering into each stall. They pointed and giggled at the animals, and if the pigs or turkeys were within reach, they’d give them a pat on the head.

“We like our hands on things,” said Nicholas’ mother, Janna, as they headed to the petting zoo.

These types of up-close and personal experiences with animals are part of the Valley Fair’s mission to promote education with entertainment.

The fair, established in 1946 by the 51st District Agricultural Assn., is dedicated to preserving the agricultural heritage of the San Fernando Valley.

Kysstina Janacua of La Crescenta said getting to run her hand over a tiger’s back made her visit to the fair all the more special. The tiger was part of an exhibit by Tiger Rescue, a nonprofit sanctuary for retired animal actors.

“I’m just so surprised, “ the 9-year-old said gleefully. “I can’t believe that I just got to touch a tiger.”