Veteran Fair Managers to Run Valley’s Event

It’s a new fair, with new management--and organizers say it will be the best ever.

The San Fernando Valley Fair board of directors has hired a management team from the 50th District Agricultural Assn., which runs the Antelope Valley Fair.

“If [people] come to this year’s fair, they are going to be blown away,” said board president Rob Wilcox, who announced the management change. “You are going to have . . . a reinvention of the fair.”

General Manager Dan Jacobs and Deputy Manager Randy Jaqua of the Antelope Valley Fair will take over planning for the San Fernando Valley Fair, which is operated by the 51st District Agricultural Assn.

Jacobs has managed the Antelope Valley Fair for six years. Jaqua has served as assistant manager for two years and director for six. Both are Lancaster residents.

Jacobs and Jaqua will replace Manager and Chief Executive Dale Coons, who resigned in August.

Wilcox said this year’s fair will offer entertainment, exhibits, rides and activities that will appeal to the San Fernando Valley’s diverse population.

Last year’s fair, which featured animal auctions, rodeos and a Dixieland band, was a disappointment to organizers. An estimated 12,000 people attended, but 50,000 were expected.

“We have high hopes for this year,” Wilcox said. “When you have a million-plus residents, you want to have more than 12,000 people coming to your fair. We are going to do a better job.”

Jacobs and Jaqua said they boosted revenue by 15% since 1996 for the Antelope Valley, which Jacobs attributed to cost-cutting and careful spending. Jacobs also said they put more money into entertainment, while also promoting education, agriculture and aeronautics.

Jacobs said they hope to do the same for the 55th annual San Fernando Valley Fair.

Final plans will be announced in May. The fair will be held June 7-10 at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Lake View Terrace.