History: 1981 to 1989

1981

An extra day was added to the Fair as it opened on a Thursday and hosted 18 days. Admission was free on opening day, and a weekday record of 104,890 attended the Fair. A landmark 115-foot-tall Ferris wheel was dismantled to make way for renovations in the carnival area. All permanent carnival structures, including the arching landmark Fun Zone sign, were replaced by a new carnival.

1983

Ralph Hinds was appointed president and chief executive officer.

1984

Building Four was reopened after a major renovation to bring additional year-round business to the grounds. The $4 million development project brought increased trade and consumer show use to 105,500 square feet of indoor exhibit space. The name of the fairgrounds was changed to Fairplex to encourage year-round use as a show and exposition complex, and the building was renamed Fairplex 4. The subsequent success of this facility as a home for various events prompted the Fair Association to promote greater utilization of this and other facilities and to begin a renovation program designed to meet the needs of trade and consumer shows on a year-round basis. Pomona Raceway hosted the NHRA Winston Select Finals for the first time.

1985

The Fair racetrack was expanded from one-half mile to five-eighths of a mile. A single-day record attendance of 177,612 people visits the Fair on Sept. 21.

1986

The racetrack grandstand and clubhouse facilities were renovated and the track was renamed Fairplex Park. Lighting was added at the track as night harness racing made its seasonal debut in Pomona. The Fair's landmark food circle of restaurants was renovated and converted into a modern Food Fair, now known as the Super Diner. In addition, a 184-space recreational vehicle park and convenience store opened on the grounds across White Avenue.

1987

After two years, harness racing was discontinued.

1988

The Los Angeles County Fair Association and the County of Los Angeles signed a 56-year (plus two five-year options) agreement for the Fair Association's continued use of the grounds.

1989

A $27 million bond issue marked a year of major development at Fairplex. Four exhibition buildings, covering 134,400 square feet of indoor exhibit space, were renovated in buildings 5, 6, 7 and 8. The entire exhibition complex was re-landscaped with plazas, fountains, trees and flowers, and the tunnel under White Avenue was re-designed. The hill behind the flower and garden building was renovated with new roads and exhibit space...Nine new horse barns were completed and construction began on a horse auction pavilion. To make room for the barns, the historical trains were moved from the barn area to their present location adjacent to the Golden Empire Mine.