Greater California Poultry Show This Saturday | February 25

The Greater California Society of Poultry Fanciers is hosting their Greater California Poultry Show on Saturday, February 25 beginning at 8 a.m. This poultry show will feature APA/ABA sanctioned, open and Jr. Show, Jr. Showmanship and Avian Bowl and the largest American and Oriental Game Show in California.

 

For more information, visit their website here.   

Quinceanera Expo Happening Sunday, February 26

Don’t miss the biggest Quinceanera Show and Expo in the Central Valley happening Sunday, February 26 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Fresno Fairgrounds’ Industry Commerce Building. Talk to over 300 vendors and professionals to make your party one to remember. Admission is $12. Children 8 and under are free! Parking is $10 in the Chance Avenue parking lot.  

 

For more details and to purchase tickets, click here.

18th Annual Fresno Tattoo Convention This Weekend | February 25 – 26

Don’t miss the 18th Annual Fresno Tattoo Expo this Saturday, February 25 from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Sunday, February 26 from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., featuring over 200 of the world’s finest tattooers! Come on out and enjoy live music, sideshow performers, vendors, tasty food and more! Tickets are $20 each day or $30 for a weekend pass. Kids 12 years old and under are FREE!

 

For more details, click here.

Sun Maid Kennel Club of Fresno Do Show This Weekend! | February 17 – 19

golden retriever jumping on a dog agility course

The Sun Maid Kennel Club of Fresno Dog Show returns to the Fresno Fairgrounds on Friday, February 17 through Sunday, February 19 from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. each day! The Dog Show will feature over 1,500 entries, along with special programs for kids to participate in, silent auction, raffles, vet health clinics plus so much more! Plus, don’t miss the Mardi Gras Dog Parade happening Friday at 11:30 a.m.! This event is FREE to attend. Parking is $10.

 

For more information, visit their website here.

The Big Fresno Fair Announces 2023 Board Officer Positions

Meet our 2023 Board Officers (left to right): Terry Gonsalves, President; Gary S. Chahil, Vice President; and Frank Flores, Secretary/Treasurer

The Big Fresno Fair announces new 2023 Board officer positions for the 21st District Agricultural Association, which were voted on at the January 24, Board meeting: Terry Gonsalves, President; Gary Chahil, Vice President; and Frank Flores, Secretary/Treasurer. 

 

“Our Fair Board is committed to the betterment of the annual Big Fresno Fair and overall Fresno Fairgrounds to ensure current and future generations are able to enjoy this gathering place, this rich tradition, this longstanding annual event that is cemented in memories of so many in our Central Valley community,” said Lauri L. King, CEO, The Big Fresno Fair. “Our 2023 officers will continue to lead the Board forward and we look forward to continued conversations on how to improve our Fair for the future, grow our community and educational programs, and continue to serve our region.” 

 

Terry Gonsalves, of Laton, has been a partner at Superior Dealer Insurance Services, LLC since 2007. He started Duvall Ag farming almonds in 2004 and expanded farming operations with Letson Limited Ag, LLC in 2013. Gonsalves was Managing Operator at Bennie Gonsalves Dairy from 2000 to 2012. Gonsalves formerly served on the 21st District Agricultural Board from 2001-2003.

 

“It is an honor to serve on this Fair Board and now as Board President, continuing a family legacy started by my father, Bennie Gonsalves who served on the Fair Board for over a decade (1979 – 1991) and in 1983 served as Board President,” said Terry Gonsalves, Fair Board President. “For my family, like so many others in our community, The Big Fresno Fair plays an important role in their lives and in their memories – and I’m proud to be part of the effort to continue this tradition for generations to come.”

 

“Two years ago, when I was reappointed to the Fair Board and selected as Secretary/Treasurer, the pandemic hit and shut down nearly all Fair operations impacting the Fair financially and leading to staff reductions. However, the Fair team led by now CEO Lauri King navigated back to a successful in-person Fair in 2021 and 2022. Our then Board Presidents, Jerry Pacheco (2021) and Chuck Riojas (2022) provided great leadership along with Lauri to navigate the pandemic. There were many who played a part in this – so I want to thank everyone who contributed to the successful return of The Big Fresno Fair – our Fair Board and nonprofit Foundation, Friends of the Big Fresno Fair. Our management team, staff and vendors, our marketing and sponsorship teams, carnival provider and public safety partners, plus many others who are imperative to making the 5th largest Fair in California run smoothly and safely,” Gonsalves continued. “It was hard work, and much of it was done with a reduced number of staff but this collective team of professionals are committed to the ongoing success of the Fair. I look forward to continuing to work with them alongside my fellow Board leadership team – Gary Chahil and Frank Flores – as we focus on keeping the annual Fair an affordable entertainment option for our community who supports this Valley tradition each year!” 

 

Gurjinder “Gary” S. Chahil, of Clovis, is a member of the American Sikh Community and is the President of California EB5 Investments where he has been serving in this capacity since 2017.

 

Frank Flores, of Clovis, was a union representative at the Sheet Metal workers Local 104 from 2003 to 2012. Flores was a Business Representative for Fresno, Madera, Kings and Tulare counties for Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 from 2003 to 2012. He was a Union Organizer at Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 from 1996 to 2003. Flores was an Industrial Foreman and Journeyman at Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 from 1975 to 1996. He is president of the Sheet Metal Workers 104 Retiree Club and a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 and the Fresno County Civil Service Board.

The Big Fresno Fair Takes Home 17 Awards at This Year’s WFA Convention!

The Big Fresno Fair took home 17 awards at the Western Fairs Association’s (WFA) 100th Annual Convention & Trade Show held in Reno, Nevada January 15 – 18, where more than 1,200 fair CEOs, directors, staff and fair-related professionals from roughly 125 fairs throughout the Western United States attended to celebrate the greatest accomplishments of 2022. The Big Fresno Fair walked away with 17 WFA Achievement Awards, which included 6 first place, 8 second place and 3 third place award.

 

First Place Awards:

  • Give It Your Best Shot – Entertainment & Grounds Acts, Photo of Paul Rodriguez in Crowd
  • Give It Your Best Shot – Food & Beverage, Photo of Kid with Ice Cream Cone
  • Single Social Media Ad – Early Savings
  • Fair Logo – 2022 Big Fresno Fair Logo
  • New Cultural Program – Community Cultural Center, Fresno County Historical Museum
  • Overall Fair Marketing – The Big Fresno Fair’s Food, Family & Fun!

 

We’d like to thank our wonderful community for their continued support over the past 139 years. We can’t wait to continue the tradition at the 2023 Big Fresno Fair, October 4 – 15! To see the full list of awards and for full release, click here.

Enjoy a Date Night at the 2023 Big Fresno Fair!

The 2023 Big Fresno Fair may only be 239 days away but it’s never too early to plan a date night for you and your sweetie! Save money on admission when you purchase from one of our Date Night Packages!

The Big Fresno Fair’s Date Night Package Sale exclusively for Big Fresno Fair Fan Club Members only is happening NOW and goes until Tuesday, February 14 at 11:59 p.m. During this time members can purchase from two packages:

  • $30 Love Birds Package ❤ – Includes: 2 Adult Admission Tickets and 1 Chance Ave. Parking Pass (originally $39; a $9 savings!)
  • $96 Thrill-Lovers Package ❤ – Includes: 2 Adult Admission Tickets, 2 Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristbands and 1 Chance Ave. Parking Pass (originally $119; a $23 savings!)

A special password will be sent to your email. Know someone who isn’t a BFF Club Member? Tell them to sign up here.

REMINDER: These Date Night Packages are good any day or night of the 2023 Big Fresno Fair, which runs October 4 – 15!