UFOS ARE OUT THERE, AT THE L.A. COUNTY FAIR.

Byline: Tracy Valeri Daily News Staff Writer

Beginning today, the 75th annual Los Angeles County Fair will run for 18 days of horse racing, mule driving, corn-dog eating and some new attractions.

``The UFO attraction will be huge,'' said fair spokesman Sid Robinson. ``I just returned from touring it, and it's going to be really cool. People will probably come out of it thrilled, scared and maybe even laughing.''

The attraction called UFO Encounters is new this year to the fair in Pomona. Visitors also can watch a 24-foot Tyrannosaurus rex and some of his contemporaries seem to come alive in a Jurassic Adventure attraction.

As usual, amusement rides will be featured on the 12 acres of paved carnival grounds, including the Skyscraper, a 160-foot ride at 70 mph.

``The Skyscraper will get a lot of attention, just because of the size and sheer insanity of it,'' Robinson said.

The theme for 1997 is America's Fair.

Last year, 1,269,573 people attended the fair, and the horse racing handle of $103,298,938 set a new record.

The fair also will have the usual livestock competitions, and there also will be potbellied pig races.

The fair's forerunner was a commercial-industrial show in 1921 along the Southern Pacific railroad. It was was so successful that the local businessmen launched the inaugural Los Angeles County Fair the next year.

Fair admission 75 cents today

For today, the first day of the 75th anniversary of the Los Angeles County Fair, admission will be 75 cents. Highlights of opening day include:

The 1970s supergroup The Doobie Brothers will perform at 8 p.m. in Fairplex Park. Tickets range from $6 to $10.

To celebrate the fair's diamond jubilee, drinks normally sold at $1.50 will be priced at 75 cents, today only.

The small stock competition will begin in the Furry Friends and Fancy Feathers Building.

The California Saddle Horse Futurity Show will start its four-day run at the fair, featuring the elegant American Saddlebred.

The Skyscraper, a 160-foot-tall tower that rotates riders up to 70 mph, will make its debut at the fair.

After opening day, general admission will be $9 for adults, $7 for seniors over 60, and $5 for kids 6-12.

Parking is $5 for general, $7 for preferred and $10 for premium preferred and valet.

The Fairplex is located 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and 10 miles west of Ontario International Airport, at 1101 W. McKinly Ave., Pomona. For information, call [phone].

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BOX: Fair admission (see text)