Meet the Food Vendors Behind the LA County Fair
+ Events in and around La Verne May 7-18.
Welcome new subscribers and loyal readers, happy Thursday!
It's always fun to do a media preview day, and the LA County Fair event on May 6 did not disappoint. I was there alongside several larger news outlets, influencers and content creators. I tried a lot of unique fair food and drinks, and I made a rookie mistake by not wearing elastic-band pants. I walked away full, but also inspired by the vendors I interviewed. Several women have been working the fair circuit for more than 40 years!
I had fun. And honestly, I needed something lighter to work on this week. But don't worry, I've got more serious stories in the works. Stay tuned readers!
Staci
Fried, Filled and Fair-Ready
The LA County Fair opens May 7, and ahead of opening day, members of the media got to taste some of the fair faire during Media Preview Day.
Yes, there were deep-fried things. Lots of them. There were giant desserts, TikTok-inspired drinks and enough sugary goodness to send anyone into a food fair frenzy.
But my favorite part was talking with the vendors behind the creations.
According to Sarah Vargas, Fairplex social media and communications specialist, this year’s fair features more than 1,000 food items across 144 food locations. In other words: come hungry and maybe wear stretchy pants.
While there’s no possible way to eat everything at the fair (challenge accepted?), there are a few vendors that stood out, not just for the food, but for the stories behind the food.
If you’ve ever wondered who creates the wild, over-the-top eats at the fair, the answer might surprise you. Most aren’t traditional restaurants. They’re longtime fair vendors who spend the year traveling the circuit, testing recipes, chasing trends and cooking up crowd favorites.
Read more
Staci Baird
Sunrise Runners Creates a Space for Women to Train, Connect and Thrive
A growing women-led run club is helping local runners build confidence, community and safer miles together.
By Arturo Gomez Molina
In the early hours of the day, before the sun breaks over the horizon, a group of runners is lacing up for a dash around the neighborhood.
Sunrise Runners is a women-based run club that offers women a space to exercise, connect with new and old friends and achieve their goals. Designed with safety and community in mind, the club aims to create a secure, supportive environment for women, particularly in response to the challenges many face when running alone.
