Los Angeles County is hoping to capture some Olympic gold by creating pop-up culture, arts and recreation events in county locations that complement the Summer Games set to land in the city of Los Angeles in 2028.
By a unanimous vote, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, May 3, agreed to partner with LA Metro to help fund events at transportation hubs, in county parks and blocked off streets to draw tourists as well as folks from underprivileged areas, such as Pomona and East Los Angles where residents generally could not afford tickets to the games.
The county will use its influence to secure federal and state grants to help LA Metro meet its $10 million budget for numerous kinds of sideshow Olympic events, patterned after those that took place before and during the 1984 LA Summer Olympic Games. The ’84 LA games were preceded by the Los Angeles Olympic Arts Festival, a 10-week event of visual arts, murals, theater, dance and music that drew 1.25 million visitors.
Besides the Olympic Games, the county will celebrate the Paralympic Games, first time in L.A., which take place in late August and early September 2028, and the 2026 Men’s World Cup (Soccer) and possibly the Women’s World Cup in 2027 if the U.S. gets to host games along with partnering nation, Mexico.
“This will be one of the most important activities not just in city of L.A. but also in Los Angeles County,” said First District Supervisor Hilda Solis, who also serves as chair of Metro’s Ad Hoc 2028 Olympics Committee.
Helen Hernandez, an arts commissioner from the First Supervisorial District, said the showcasing of art and entertainment at such events is more than just about bringing in tourist dollars. “These events are occasions for the world to come together, and where we can showcase our diverse population. We are the world here in Los Angeles County, ” Hernandez said.
L.A. County can apply for cultural, parks and theater grants which are outside the purview…
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