Category: Community Events

Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Vendors

Some go for the food. Others for the live music. Some for the horse racing. And many for the shopping! At fairs throughout the US the grounds and building are filled with local and traveling vendors selling their products from the latest slicer and dicer, to handmade candles and jewelry, to hats and so much … Continue reading “Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Vendors”

Some go for the food. Others for the live music. Some for the horse racing. And many for the shopping! At fairs throughout the US the grounds and building are filled with local and traveling vendors selling their products from the latest slicer and dicer, to handmade candles and jewelry, to hats and so much more!

 

At The Big Fresno Fair we fill two whole buildings, as well as part of our grounds with these amazing vendors, many of which are family-owned, small businesses.  They are a key part of the fair experience and we are grateful for them. And we know each of the 175 fairs throughout the nation are too!

 

Thank you to all our fair vendors. We know this year has been tough, but we will get through it together and we will hopefully see you all in October!

Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Agriculture

Fairs were built on the foundation of agriculture. The Big Fresno Fair started in 1882 as a 5-day event with horse racing, livestock and produce displays. Now, 138 years later, the Wells Fargo Agriculture Building is one of the largest in the Western US, drawing visitors from around the world each October. Showcasing the abundance … Continue reading “Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Agriculture”

Fairs were built on the foundation of agriculture. The Big Fresno Fair started in 1882 as a 5-day event with horse racing, livestock and produce displays. Now, 138 years later, the Wells Fargo Agriculture Building is one of the largest in the Western US, drawing visitors from around the world each October. Showcasing the abundance of agriculture in the #1 Ag producing county in the world, it is a source of pride for Fresno County communities whose volunteers work hard to put together their displays for judging and for the community to enjoy and learn.

 

Fairs also serve as a connection point between agriculture and our urban populations – showcasing the extensive varieties of fruits and vegetables grown by hardworking farmers; providing the chance to learn about characteristics of different varieties and seeing how things grow.

 

For this and so much more we are grateful for fairs throughout the state, nation and world. We hope you are too. Join us and show your appreciation for the incredible way fairs and fairgrounds serve their communities.

This Week’s Fair Food Feature – Fanny’s Fabulous Funnel Cakes!

Cure your sweet tooth at this week’s “Fair Food Feature” with Fanny’s Fabulous Funnel Cakes! Indulge in one (or all, we’re not judging) of their deliciously fluffy, funnel cakes beginning Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Fresno Fairgrounds! Check out their menu for this weekend:   … Continue reading “This Week’s Fair Food Feature – Fanny’s Fabulous Funnel Cakes!”

Cure your sweet tooth at this week’s “Fair Food Feature” with Fanny’s Fabulous Funnel Cakes! Indulge in one (or all, we’re not judging) of their deliciously fluffy, funnel cakes beginning Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Fresno Fairgrounds! Check out their menu for this weekend:

 

Sugar Toppings

$7…Powdered Sugar

$7…Cinnamon Sugar

$9…Sugar w/whip cream

$8…Sugar w/caramel

$8…Sugar w/chocolate

$9…Sugar w/PB & chocolate

 

Gourmet Toppings

$10…Apple

$10…Raspberry

$10…Strawberry

$10…Bavarian Crème

$6…Deep-Fried Oreos

 

Cash or card will be accepted! Our “Fair Food Feature” event series is a drive-thru, pick-up only. Just enter through the Carnival Lot (gate 6) off of Kings Canyon Rd. Questions? Call our Fair Office at (559) 650-3247 or visit our website here. 

Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Carnival!

The bright lights of the carnival go hand in hand with fairs. The iconic Ferris Wheel providing that perfect photo backdrop. The roller-coasters filling the air with the sounds of delightful screams from thrill seekers. Or the child walking around, beaming with pride as they carry the giant stuffed animal just won for them. Carnivals … Continue reading “Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Carnival!”

The bright lights of the carnival go hand in hand with fairs. The iconic Ferris Wheel providing that perfect photo backdrop. The roller-coasters filling the air with the sounds of delightful screams from thrill seekers. Or the child walking around, beaming with pride as they carry the giant stuffed animal just won for them. Carnivals are more than bright lights – they are an experience of joy that create memories for many years to come!

 

We are grateful to have family-owned Butler Amusements run our carnival at The Big Fresno Fair for more than 25 years. To know the devastating impact that this year has had on them, their company and their staff – and all the carnival providers throughout the nation – hurts our hearts. They are family. We are a fair family. And we are hopeful that we will rise out of this together. Here’s to hopefully seeing you in October with the lights of the carnival shining bright.

Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Diversity

Fairgrounds are a place where people from all cultures and backgrounds come together in celebration. At The Big Fresno Fair – and at fairs throughout the US – that diversity is not only celebrated, but showcased! Whether that is through music, dancing, art, food or more…diversity is one of the many things that make fairs … Continue reading “Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Diversity”

  • Folklorico Dancers performing on the Pavilion Stage
  • Polynesian Dancing performing on the Pavilion Stage

Fairgrounds are a place where people from all cultures and backgrounds come together in celebration. At The Big Fresno Fair – and at fairs throughout the US – that diversity is not only celebrated, but showcased! Whether that is through music, dancing, art, food or more…diversity is one of the many things that make fairs and fairgrounds special. So today, in honor of Fairgrounds Appreciation Month we salute the diversity that is celebrated at fairs throughout the US – and especially at our Big Fresno Fair!

WFA’s Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Serving in Times of Emergency

It’s true. Fairgrounds serve as cooling and heating centers for communities in times of need, staging grounds during natural disasters like fires and now serving during the COVID-19 health crisis. In times of uncertainty like now, one thing is certain – fairgrounds stand ready to serve their communities. Fairgrounds are known for bringing communities together … Continue reading “WFA’s Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Serving in Times of Emergency”

It’s true. Fairgrounds serve as cooling and heating centers for communities in times of need, staging grounds during natural disasters like fires and now serving during the COVID-19 health crisis. In times of uncertainty like now, one thing is certain – fairgrounds stand ready to serve their communities.


Fairgrounds are known for bringing communities together in times of celebration. But did you know that they are key locations in times of emergency and crisis?


Let make sure they are around in years to come!

Support your local fair and fairgrounds!

Now Serving Beer & Margaritas at This Weekend’s Fair Food Feature!

Make it a one stop shop and grab an ice cold beer or chilled margarita to-go with your purchase of a food item! Joining Pepe’s Mariscos for Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 is Pardini’s and they’ll be serving beers and margaritas at this weekend’s “Fair Food Feature.”  Pepe’s Mariscos will still be at … Continue reading “Now Serving Beer & Margaritas at This Weekend’s Fair Food Feature!”

Make it a one stop shop and grab an ice cold beer or chilled margarita to-go with your purchase of a food item! Joining Pepe’s Mariscos for Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 is Pardini’s and they’ll be serving beers and margaritas at this weekend’s “Fair Food Feature.”  Pepe’s Mariscos will still be at the Fairgrounds from Friday – Sunday. Check out this weekend’s menu update:

 

$12…Shrimp Cocktail

$11…Shrimp Ceviche & Chips

$10…Taco Trio Asada or Chicken

$10…Asada or Chicken Burrito (w/ rice & beans)

$11…Nacho Supreme (meat, tomato, onion, cilantro & sour cream)

$2…Beer (Coors Light, Modelo or White Claw)

$6…Margaritas

 

Must be 21 and older to purchase alcohol. If you are purchasing alcohol it must be bought with a food item from Pepe’s Mariscos. All drinks will be sealed and ready to- go. Cash or card will be accepted, but cash helps the lines go faster! Our “Fair Food Feature” event series is drive-thru, pick-up only. Just enter through the Carnival Lot (gate 6) off of Kings Canyon Rd. Questions? Call our Fair Office at (559) 650-3247 or visit our website here.

WFA’s Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Entertainers

We love our entertainers that roam the Fairgrounds during the annual Big Fresno Fair. They are the ones who bring smiles to the faces of Fairgoers with their jokes, magic tricks, balloon animals and so much more. Beyond the characters they play while roaming our grounds are real people, some with families who have had … Continue reading “WFA’s Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Entertainers”

We love our entertainers that roam the Fairgrounds during the annual Big Fresno Fair. They are the ones who bring smiles to the faces of Fairgoers with their jokes, magic tricks, balloon animals and so much more. Beyond the characters they play while roaming our grounds are real people, some with families who have had their sources of income completely cut off with the cancellation of fairs and events throughout the US.

 

As a family of fairs, our hearts go out to our beloved entertainers. And we hold onto the hope that this October, they will return to our Fairgrounds spreading smiles, laughter and joy to our Fairgoers – just as they have always done!

Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Food Drives

Giving back to our community is a core focus of The Big Fresno Fair, but we aren’t alone. Hundreds of fairs throughout California and the nation find ways to give back and one of them is through hosting food drives to help feed their communities.   At The Big Fresno Fair, we have hosted food … Continue reading “Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Food Drives”

Giving back to our community is a core focus of The Big Fresno Fair, but we aren’t alone. Hundreds of fairs throughout California and the nation find ways to give back and one of them is through hosting food drives to help feed their communities.

 

At The Big Fresno Fair, we have hosted food drives for the last 11 years! During that time, we together with our community have collected nearly 2 million pounds of food! That food has produced more than 1.5 million meals to help feed those in need.🥫🌆🎡

 

Imagine that multiplied by all the fairs in their own community. That is a lot of need impacted by fairs and fairgrounds. For that, and more, we are grateful for all our fairs throughout the state and nation!

Fair Food Feature – Pepe’s Mariscos

One weekend down, another to go! Don’t miss this week’s “Fair Food Feature” at the Fresno Fairgrounds on Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Carnival Lot (Gate 6) off of Kings Canyon Rd. This weekend on the menu from Pepe’s Mariscos is:   $12…Shrimp Cocktail $11…Shrimp … Continue reading “Fair Food Feature – Pepe’s Mariscos”

One weekend down, another to go! Don’t miss this week’s “Fair Food Feature” at the Fresno Fairgrounds on Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Carnival Lot (Gate 6) off of Kings Canyon Rd. This weekend on the menu from Pepe’s Mariscos is:

 

$12…Shrimp Cocktail

$11…Shrimp Ceviche & Chips

$10…Taco Trio Asada or Chicken

$10…Asada or Chicken Burrito (w/ rice & beans)

$11…Nacho Supreme (meat, tomato, onion, cilantro & sour cream)

 

Cash or card will be accepted, but cash helps the lines go faster! Our “Fair Food Feature” event series is drive-thru, pick-up only. Just enter through the Carnival Lot (gate 6) off of Kings Canyon Rd. Questions? Call our Fair Office at (559) 650-3247 or visit our website here.