Rash the clown, a member of the World of Wonders Sideshow, makes his way to the stage before a performance at the L.A. County Fair. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Demetrio Rodriguez, holds up a broken umbrella to shade his wife, Esmeralda Contreras, and their 2-month-old son at the fair. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Ashlyn Ballou, 18, of Rancho Cucamonga tries to keep her balance while riding a mechanical bull. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Chinese lanterns come to life at night during the Luminasia exhibit. Each lantern was created by a team of highly skilled artisans. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Five-year-old Andrew Andrade enjoys a vanilla ice cream cone during a visit to the Los Angeles County Fair. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Harmony Davis, walking with her mother, catches the attention of a goat inside the fair’s Big Red Barn. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Chinese lanterns are illuminated at the fair’s Luminasia exhibit. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Miss Spooky, an artist in the World of Wonders Sideshow, is still very much alive after appearing to have her head cut off by a guillotine during a performance at the Los Angeles County Fair. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Pete Martinez of Glendale displays traditional cowboy hats for sale inside his Black Stallion Western Wear booth. Martinez said he has attended the Los Angeles County Fair since 1975. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Insectavora Spitfire, an artist in the World of Wonders Sideshow, swallows fire during a performance. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
