L.A. County Fair

Runs from September 7th -30th. There are many different competitions going on for children to participate in. The exhibit below looks great!!

http://www.lacountyfair.com/2008/AttractionsCompetitions/AmericasKidsCompetitions.asp

America’s Kids & Education Expo
“Wild Things” Backyard Fun

This attraction features the wild side of your very own backyard. When you enter the America’s Kids exhibit, prepare to enter a world of imagination, discovery, and adventure. Children and adults will use their imagination and sense of wonder to uncover the wonderful world of science in our new Big Backyard exhibit. This new exhibit will take you through the scientific wonders of natural history, biology, entomology, and more. In this oversized backyard, be amazed as you discover what creatures you may find lurking in your very own environment. Observe America’s Kids first giant ant farm, incredible 8’ flowers, and unique robotic animals including a praying mantis, a scorpion, and a dragonfly. Who knows, you just might meet up with giant robotic carpenter ants along the way. You can even view objects through insect eyes, and examine how insects chew plants and sip nectar. See arachnids, butterflies, moths, beetles, and much more as you journey through the hidden world of insects.
Have fun experimenting with the different tools of science as you count the rings on a tree stump, match up the different parts of an insect, and feel the differences between tree bark and flower petals.
Children can enter their creative writing and favorite book jacket art in these new competitions: “My Favorite Backyard Adventure,” a writing competition for 1st through 8th grade students in public, private, or home schools; and a book jacket competition entitled “Backyard Fun” for ages 5 through 18. You can also view the oversized ant and butterfly displays that have been created by children throughout our community.
Children and science come together in the Science Discovery Lab where science and imagination merge into one fun exhibit. Have you ever wondered what the study of trees or the study of grasses is called? You can learn this and more in the “Guess the -ology” activity station. You can enter your Science Fair project into competition before the Fair starts and then come to the Fair in September and see it on display. Participate in hands-on experiments and workshops in this fun and educational science lab.
In the new “Backyard Buddies” exhibit and show you will learn all about the animals you might discover in your very own backyard such as squirrels, opossums, butterflies, ladybugs, raccoons, owls, worms, walking sticks, and more. Learn to find the prints left behind and figure out which “wild thing” left them.
Every Saturday afternoon, the entire family can get creative in our Family Fun Days competitions. Your family can decorate a pumpkin or scarecrow, share your family talent, or paint a family portrait. You’re never too old to have an imagination!
America’s Kids will be the host to Discovery Town, where one of the first stops will be the Museum of Art & Photography. In these galleries, you can view the art and photography competitions entered by children from all over California. Stop at the Imagination Station-Create and try out some arts and crafts of your own. Turn virtually anything into something else; a rock will become a lady bug, a piece of paper will become a boat, a simple squiggle will become a monster, and a napkin will become a flower.
The adventure continues as you visit the Fire Station exhibit staffed with some of L.A. County’s finest in their field. View the creative competition entries throughout the building including: monsters made out of socks, hand sewn adventure vests, decorated butterflies, and more. Then move on to Imagination Station-Pretend where you will be able to color and read, build giant insect puzzles, play dress up, build Lego creations, explore the mini-kitchen, and simply let your imagination soar. America’s Kids isn’t just fun and interactive; it provides a valuable educational experience full of “wild” backyard fun.

Read to Ride

The Read to Ride Program is a special reward program for kids who read books over their summer vacations. Kids will receive free carnival ride vouchers good at the 2008 L.A. County Fair Carnival.
http://www.lacountyfair.com/2008/AttractionsCompetitions/documents/27-ReadToRide08_3_.pdf

Thanks to Bethany for the information!