All’s Fair

Like the region it represents, the Los Angeles County Fair is somewhat unwieldy. There’s just too much. Events range from a high-tech multimedia exhibit to a butter churning contest. One day there’s a rock concert, the next, a cattle drive. Also like L.A. County, the fair is huge. The Fairplex sprawls over 487 acres.

The fair, which begins today, lasts 18 days. Here’s a plan to get you through the first four. (And for more about the animals at the fair, see Page 42.)

Thursday

The bad news about opening day: Not all of the carnival rides will be set up and running. The good news? A coupon from McDonald’s gets you in for less than the price of a Big Mac.

That $1.99 also may be the cheapest concert ticket you ever bought. Singer-songwriter Vonda Shepard performs at 8 p.m. (on the Los Angeles Times-sponsored Calendar Stage). Shepard, a fixture on the L.A. music scene for several years, got her breakthrough last year playing the bar musician on “Ally McBeal.”

Friday

Hit the big attractions before the weekend crowd arrives. At the Fairplex 4 building, Space Expo 2000 is a 5,500-square-foot exhibit about the history and future of space exploration. For those who like a little fiction with their science, Star Trek: Earth Tour, a TV and movie memorabilia show, will be in the same building.

Take your own trip into space on a sort of reverse bungee-jump ride called the Rocket Launcher. The two- to three-minute ride costs $29--$10 cheaper than on weekends.

Stick with traditional fair food for dinner: barbecue, corn, lemonade. Polish it off with a dish of tradition from MacPherson’s Custom Ice Cream. The stand is operated by Margaret MacPherson, but it was opened by her grandmother-in-law at the first fair in 1922.

Before checking out Grammy Award-winning Christian pop singer Steven Curtis Chapman on the Calendar Stage at 8 p.m. (admission costs $5-$12 extra), drop by the Fiesta Village at 7 p.m. for the the Llama Open Costume Class. Llamas? In costume? Is this L.A.?

Saturday

Get some culture on Saturday. The Asian-Pacific Cultural Village--open this weekend only--has food, crafts, martial arts and dance from India to Japan.

At the Millard Sheets Gallery, the exhibition “California Landscapes and Earthshapes” explores how artists have captured the Golden State. A companion exhibition, “New Photography,” will feature work by Ansel Adams.

For a bit of popular culture, check out the Hot Rod magazine car show at the Fairplex Park glade area. Then, at 8 p.m., complement that with REO Speedwagon on the Calendar Stage.

Sunday

Start with brunch at one of the cute restaurants in Claremont Village, just four freeway exits east of the Fairplex. One suggestion: Walter’s, 308 N. Yale St., which serves a mix of Afghani and California cuisine. They also offer a $15.95 champagne brunch buffet.

Fill your early afternoon with an assortment of bizarre contests. The wood carvers go at it at noon in the Court of the Redwoods. Or, check out the goats in costume at noon in Livestock Ring 1. The Spam recipe contest happens at 1 p.m. in Fairplex 4. Also at 1 is the Lego contest in Fairplex 22. And at 3 p.m., there is--swear to God--a “Spittin’ Contest” at the Good Music Stage.

Finally, mark Fiestas Patrias--Mexican Independence with a visit to the Latino Market on Pepper Street. At 8 p.m. on the Calendar Stage, enjoy the sounds of Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles--America’s first all-female mariachi band.

Admission is $9; seniors, $7. Up to three kids 12 and under admitted free on weekdays with a paid adult. Kids 6-12, $5 on weekends. Hours are Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fridays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sundays, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. The Fairplex is off the San Bernardino (10) Freeway in Pomona.