2026 Fair Fun Facts: Fine Arts, Photography & Chalk Art Winners

Fair Fun Facts: Fine Arts & Photography! This year, The Big Fresno Fair showcased 533 photography entries and 458 fine arts entries, celebrating the talent and creativity of our local community!

 

Plus, 150 students from 9 schools put their skills on display in the High School Chalk Art Competition, sponsored by Allard’s. Congratulations to this year’s top finishers!

 

1st Place: Sunnyside High School – “My Beginning”
2nd Place: Roosevelt High School – “Waterfall”
3rd Place: Mendota High School – “Fallen Knight”
Honorable Mention: Clovis East – “Pajama Party”
Honorable Mention: Sunnyside High School – “The Observer”

 

Thank you to all the artists, photographers and students who shared their work at the 2026 Big Fresno Fair!

Bridal Expo Happening Sunday, November 15 at the Fresno Fairgrounds!

Newly engaged or ready to start wedding planning? Find inspiration for your big day at the California Bridal & Wedding Expo on Sunday, November 15 from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Agricultural Building at the Fresno Fairgrounds!

 

Connect with wedding professionals to explore gowns, venues, photography, music, catering and honeymoon destinations, all in one place! Plus, enjoy bridal fashion shows, live DJ demonstrations and chances to win prizes.

 

Admission is FREE with online registration or $10 at the door. Parking is free, too!

 

For more details about the California Bridal & Wedding Expo, click here!

Your Seat for Stakes Racing Awaits! | November 5–8

Catch the action and place your bets at The Starting Gate! Join us November 5–8 to watch stakes races from across the country on the big screens while enjoying delicious food and drinks.

 

Check out the November stakes race lineup and plan your visit!

–  November 7 | Mother Goose Stakes | $300,000

–  November 7 | River City Handicap | $300,000

–  November 7 | Maple Leaf Stakes | $150,000

–  November 7 | HPIbet Autumn Stakes | $150,000

–  November 7 | Bessarabian Stakes | $150,000

 

The Starting Gate is located on the 2nd floor of the Grandstand at the Fresno Fairgrounds. Hours are Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Gate times are subject to change.

 

Admission is free on Thursdays and $10 from Friday to Sunday. Parking is also free – just park in front of the Grandstand. For more information, contact Ronnie Mobley at (559) 994-3105. More details here. 

Central Valley Growers Unite at the Fresno Ag Expo! | November 13

Join over 1,600 growers for the annual Fresno Ag Expo on Friday, November 13 from 7 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Fresno Fairgrounds in the Agricultural, Commerce and Industry Commerce Buildings.

 

Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and tri-tip lunch, earn PCA, CCA and INMP credits — and get the latest updates across the almond, fresh fruit, pistachio, raisin, walnut and wine grape industries. Seminars cover wildlife damage mitigation, pest and disease management, crop load management, irrigation and more!

 

Plus, the Fresno Chamber of Commerce returns with its annual Ag Awards, and the San Joaquin Valley Winegrowers Association will honor Fresno County grower Randy Kazarian with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

Registration is FREE! For more info and to register, click here!

BIG Fun by the Numbers: Free Entertainment at the 2026 Big Fresno Fair

 BIG fun, FREE entertainment! From bubbles and dance parties to handmade keepsakes, there was plenty of fun included with admission at the 2026 Big Fresno Fair!

 

Check out the fun by the numbers:

 

  • 54 gallons of bubble solution brought millions of bubbles to Kids’ Town Dance Parties and our strolling Megan the Bubbleologist!
  • 9,600 FREE treasures mined at Miners’ Town!
  • 3,600 FREE leather crafts made by Fairgoers!
  • 1,456 glow sticks and light-up toys handed out at Kids’ Town Dance Parties!
  • More than 2,000 FREE photo booth pictures captured in Kids’ Town!

 

Plus, 39,570 minutes of FREE entertainment across our community stages and strolling acts! That’s more than 659 hours of fun packed into 12 days!

 

BFFs, what was your favorite free activity at this year’s Fair?

Día de los Muertos: Honoring Loved Ones Through Flowers and Memories

Honoring loved ones and the memories we carry with us.

 

This Día de los Muertos ofrenda was entered by Jessica Gonzalez and displayed in the Floriculture Building at the 2026 Big Fresno Fair.

 

With roots in Indigenous traditions in Mexico, Día de los Muertos has evolved over centuries and remains an important part of Mexican culture today. Celebrated November 1 and 2, it’s a time to honor loved ones who have passed. Ofrendas welcome them with photos, favorite foods and treasured keepsakes, while marigolds are believed to help guide their spirit’s home.

 

It’s a time to share their stories, celebrate their lives and keep their memories alive.

🎃 Happy Halloween from The Big Fresno Fair! 👻

🎃 Happy Halloween, BFFs! Here’s to a night full of sweet treats, spooky costumes and a few good scares!

 

Still looking for Halloween plans? It’s the FINAL weekend of Midnight Manor Unleashed! 👻 Join us from 6 p.m. – midnight and see what’s lurking inside. Tickets start at $20! Get tickets and details at www.midnightmanor.fearticket.com

Home & Garden Show This Weekend | Nov 6-8

The 21st Annual Fresno Fall Home Improvement Show & Tiny House Expo is coming to the Fresno Fairgrounds 11/6 – 11/8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

No matter your home style, tiny or traditional, this show has everything you need to bring your vision to life! Meet licensed contractors, shop home and garden products and get inspired by the latest design trends. Plus, don’t miss the Tiny House Expo’s 9th year, featuring a variety of unique tiny homes and alternatives!

 

Here’s what to know before you go 👇

  • $13 Adults | $8 Seniors (65+) | Kids 12 & under FREE
  • Parking: $10 (Kings Canyon Lot & Butler Lot); $15 (Chance Ave)
  • Customer Appreciation: $8 (2 p.m. – 5 p.m.)
  • Get $8 admission when you bring a box of gallon zip bags for the St. Francis Project (not combinable with other discounts)

 

For more details, click here.

4.0 & Above Program Winners!

BIG achievements deserve a BIG celebration!

 

More than 7,000 Fresno County students, parents and educators filled the Brian I. Tatarian Grandstand on Opening Day, October 7, for the 15th Annual 4.0 & Above Program!

 

We celebrated our local scholars with $120,000 in scholarships, four $500 VISA gift cards, four Beats Solo headphones, four laptops, two Apple Watches and a NEW Toyota Corolla! Congratulations to grand prize winner Gurshaan Singh from Clovis South High School and all of this year’s winners!

 

View the complete list of winners at www.FresnoFair.com/4aboveprogram.

 

The 4.0 & Above Program is presented by Toyota and sponsored by Friends of the Big Fresno Fair, EECU, Valley Children’s Healthcare, iHeart Radio and Fresno County Superintendent of Schools.

Breeders Cup This Weekend! Watch & Wager with Us to Win BIG!

Your Breeders’ Cup plans start HERE! 🏇 Grab your friends and head to the Fresno Fairgrounds’ Starting Gate Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 to watch, wager and cheer on your favorites in the 2026 Breeders’ Cup! With over $34 million in purses and awards on the line, you won’t want to miss the action!

 

Make a day of it with plenty of screens, a full bar and food, all in a relaxed atmosphere! Admission is just $10, and parking is FREE in front of the Grandstand. Gates open at 8:45 a.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. on Saturday. Times subject to change.

 

The Starting Gate is currently located on the second floor of the Brian I. Tatarian Grandstand. For daily racing forms and all other horse racing inquiries, contact Ronnie Mobley at 559-994-3105. More details here