(September 19, 2012)–Grills and fryers spread out across the whole of Pomona’s Fairplex plaza filled every available space with the smell of barbeque, grilled corn and fried Kool-Aid for Los Angeles County fair-goers to enjoy.

Junior Liza Manukian got her share of fair food and fun on Aug. 31, before attending The Wanted’s concert. Joined by her friends, Manukian roamed the plaza in the hours preceding the much-anticipated concert, eating different food and going on several rides to rid herself of her first time fair experience.

After first eating a not-so-typical bacon hot dog, Manukian found herself taking bites out of other foods such as hot wings and fried Kool-Aid. “Everyone should try fair food,” said Manukian. “It’s not every day that you get the chance to deep-fry anything you want and still have it taste delicious.” Junior Lusine Shakhmuradyan took a liking to the fair’s fried food as well. Shakhmuradyan, who admittedly isn’t a big fan of fruits, found herself frequently snacking on deep-fried strawberries and avocados.

“They were amazing,” Shakhmuradyan said. However, the similarities between Manukian and Shakhmuradyan’s food experiences ended there. According to Shakhmuradyan, the money she spent on non dessert items such as hot wings was a waste. “I just found that type of food gross,” she said. Senior Anahit Kardzhyan toured the different sections of the fair and enjoyed the food that came along with it.

Foods like chocolate-covered bacon, a giant turkey leg, an oversized funnel cake, and the traditional fried Oreo found themselves on Kardzhyan’s and her family’s meal plan. “My mom wouldn’t let me try the fried Kool-Aid,” Kardzhyan said. “But after trying the chocolate-covered bacon, I didn’t feel the need to.” The two agree that the rides exceeded initial assumptions of its extremity. Having never gone on a roller coaster or large ride, Manukian admitted that some of the fair’s larger roller coasters did have her hesitate on whether or not she should get in. “That was my first time on an actual roller coaster,” said Manukian.

“I would have been a lot more scared if it weren’t for my friends who went on with me.” Both Shakhmuradyan and Kardzhyan wanted to enjoy a long ferris wheel ride, but the couples around them made them feel too awkward to sit on the seats alone. “It would just be me on the ride,” Kardzhyan said. “and it wouldn’t be romantic.” Rides that motioned side to side, up and down, or both were popular amongst visitors and became escapes from the constant loss in games at the booths. “The games are easy but hard at the same time,” said Kardzhyan.

“They’re not worth it unless you know you’re going to win one of the big prizes.” The winner of a small, stuffed banana spoke from experience as she spent a countless amount of tickets playing a water gun game with her family.