By Charly SHELTON

The Los Angeles County Fair is here. From now through May 27 at the Fairplex in Pomona, guests can come and experience all the food, the animals, the dining, the shopping, the cuisine, the rides and the eats that this year’s fair has to offer. This year’s theme, “Stars, Stripes & Fun,” celebrates the diverse cultures and communities of Los Angeles County, and on any given weekend you’re likely to see almost all of LA come out to experience it. The Fair gets very crowded and very lively — it’s like a giant party with 100,000 of your closest friends and neighbors in 85° heat!

Tickets are available online for the best prices, with options for single-day and season passes. The fair will be open Thursdays through Sundays and on Memorial Day, and we recommend visiting in the early hours on a weekday to maximize all you can see before the crowds descend over the weekend. For more information, visit LACountyFair.com.