Exciting news, besties! We’re thrilled to announce that we have three more concerts locked in as part of the Table Mountain Concert Series presented by Modelo Especial and Toyota! Check out who else we’ve added to the 2024 line-up:
Friday, October 4 | Sheila E. with special guest Midnight Star
Tuesday, October 8 | Big Daddy Weave
Wednesday, October 9 | 311
Tickets for our BFF Club Members go on-sale ONLINE-ONLY on Wednesday, July 17 at 10 a.m. and goes until Tuesday, July 23 at 11:59 p.m. During this time, any BFF Club member who purchases a Fair concert ticket can also purchase a Fair admission ticket for 50% off; discounted admission and concert tickets must be purchased in the same transaction. Tickets to the general public will then go on sale online-only on Wednesday, July 24 at 10 a.m.
BFF Club Members will receive a special password via email the day before the pre-sale. Know someone who isn’t a part of the BFF Club, but would like to purchase their concert tickets AND receive 50% off Fair admission ahead of time? Tell them to sign up for free here!
Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for more concert announcements!
All we can say is…WOW! THANK YOU, BFFs, for an amazing 2022 Big Fresno Fair! We loved seeing all our family and friends once again to enjoy the tradition of our Fair with live music and entertainment, horse racing, exhibits, thrilling carnival rides, Fair food, new attractions plus so much more. Here are a few fun Fair facts from the 2022 Big Fresno Fair!
More than 2,500 hours of FREE entertainment was provided during this year’s Fair from roaming grounds entertainers to community performers and bands on stage.
2,580 animals were exhibited in the Livestock Pavilion and 1,043 4-H and FFA students exhibited at the Fair.
910 gallons of milk were collected from 5 cows at the Cow Palace Milking Demonstrations.
44 animals were adopted at the Central California SPCA booth at this year’s Fair.
32,000 lbs. of flour were used for Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls (between 3 stands)
XPogo Stunt Team did 960 flips during their 12 days of shows at The Big Fresno Fair
We can’t wait to create more fun Fair facts at the 2023 Big Fresno Fair, October 4 – 15!
To read to the full End of Fair release, click here.
The Big Fresno Fair (Fair) Board of Directors has unanimously promoted 22-year industry executive Lauri King to be the Fair’s next and first-ever woman CEO, effective July 1, 2022. The announcement follows a national search in collaboration with the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fairs and Expositions Branch to name a successor to John C. Alkire, who retired as CEO in September 2020.
King first joined The Big Fresno Fair in 2003 under then-CEO Scott Anderson, and served under Alkire from 2004 until his retirement in 2020. In September 2020, King and fellow industry professional Stacy Rianda began co-leading the Fair, seeing it through the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown and transition to a drive-through event, and then navigating the Fair to a fiscally sound position with a successful in-person Fair in 2021, which safely entertained nearly 600,000 area residents. Last month, the Ventura County Fair proudly announced Rianda as its new CEO.
“Lauri is a proven leader who is well-respected by our Board, her employees and Fair partners. Her work ethic, team-first focus, agricultural background and fair industry knowledge is extraordinary,” said Chuck Riojas, President of The Big Fresno Fair Board of Directors. “Most importantly, Lauri demonstrates an undeniable and contagious passion for the fair industry, our community and The Big Fresno Fair.”
The Big Fresno Fair has grown to become the fourth-largest fair in California during King’s 19-year tenure, encompassing 165 acres of Fairgrounds and a complex $11 million annual budget. Over the past 15 years, the management team, including King, has been responsible for the Fair earning five Merrill Awards – the highest honor in the fair industry, recognizing fair programs that demonstrate outstanding vision, leadership and excellence. The Fair’s fifth Merrill, received just this year, was for the its “Public Health and Safety Campaign” developed in partnership with the Fresno County Department of Public Health, which was fundamental to the Fair’s return to an in-person event in 2021.
Supervising overall operations for the Fair, King knows every inch of the Fairgrounds. She has been instrumental in the growth and development of several key Fair programs including the expansion of interim events, enhancing the Fairgrounds’ position as a multi-purpose facility. She also established the Fair’s award-winning Health and Safety Program, which is now an industry-wide model used throughout the United States, and has played a vital role in expanding the Fair’s educational programs, which explore new ways to connect Fresno County students to the region’s rich agriculture industry.
“Lauri is a premiere example of what a leader is and should be. She’s known for her hands-on management style and passionate drive as a force of positive industry change, always striving for collaborative, innovative and mutually-beneficial solutions to programs and partnerships,” stated Sarah Cummings, President & CEO of the Western Fairs Association (WFA). “As a longstanding WFA Board member and now CEO of The Big Fresno Fair, Lauri has advanced – and will continue to advance – the fair industry, while ensuring it stays rooted in tradition.”
King’s involvement in the fair industry has been lifelong. Growing up in Templeton, California, on a ranch run by her family for five generations, she showed animals at the California Mid-State Fair. While attending California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, she worked at the Cal Poly Western Bonanza Livestock Show (five years) and the California Mid-State Fair (four years). She majored in Animal Science while minoring in Agriculture Communications and Agriculture Business with an emphasis in Fair Management. Upon graduating with her B.S. degree in 2003, King was recruited to join The Big Fresno Fair.
“At nine years old, showing animals at the California Mid-State Fair I fell in love with what fairs stood for – how they celebrated agriculture and the best of the community. That appreciation has multiplied in my two decades at The Big Fresno Fair, as we have evolved beyond just an annual tradition. Our Fair is an essential part of our community – a source of education, cultural celebration and positive economic impact,” said Lauri King, CEO, The Big Fresno Fair.
“A sincere thank you to the Fair Board for this opportunity and the leadership that has guided our success as an industry and community asset. I look forward to building upon our strong foundation and elevating The Big Fresno Fair for our team and the community.”
King graduated from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Institute of Fair Management in 2017 and received the IAFE Certified Fair Executive (CFE) designation in 2018. She has served on the Western Fairs Association (WFA) Board since 2015 and the California Authority of Racing Fairs Board since 2020. She is an active steward of the region with involvement in organizations such as the Fresno County Farm Bureau and FACT Farm Bureau Leadership Program, and is a graduate of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Class of 24. Previously, she served on the IAFE Young Professional Board and was WFA’s Professional Development Chair. Most recently, she was appointed to the Sierra Unified School Board in 2021.
King plans to continue the tradition of strong leadership as she takes over responsibility for overseeing the annual 12-day Big Fresno Fair and year-round operations of the Fairgrounds. The 2022 Big Fresno Fair will return October 5 – 16 with live horse racing, entertainment, exhibits, carnival rides and more.
The Big Fresno Fair is excited to announce the winners of the 7th Annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition (SJVOOC)! Congratulations to this year’s “Best of” winners:
Best of Show EVOO: Tres Osos Taggiasca (Carmel Valley)
Best of Show – Flavored: Coldani Olive Ranch’s Calivirgin Habanero (Lodi)
Best of the Valley: Coldani Olive Ranch’s Calivirgin Habanero (Lodi)
Along with these prestigious awards, we’d like to congratulate the Gold and Silver Medal Winners for their EVOO’s and Flavored Olive Oil’s!
Gold Medal Winners:
Spanish Blends: Fresno State Miller’s Blend (Fresno), Rancho Azul y Oro Olive Farm Estate Blend (San Miguel), Olivaia’s OLA Block X Blend (Lindsay), Cobram Estate Classic (Woodland)
Italian Blends: Winter Creek Ruscello D’Inverno (Valley Springs), Tres Osos Robust (Carmel Valley), San Miguel Olive Farm Tuscan Gold Paradiso (San Miguel), San Miguel Olive Farm Tuscan Gold Magnifico (San Miguel), San Miguel Olive Farm Tuscan Gold Fantastico (San Miguel), Toothacre Ranch Old World Style EVOO (Ramona), Colomba Bianca (Clements)
Italian Singles: Tres Osos Taggiasca (Carmel Valley), Winter Creek Frantoio (Valley Springs), Coldani Olive Ranch Lodi Olive OilFrantoio EVOO (Lodi), Cobram Estate Robust (Woodland)
Other Blends: Cobram Estate Select (Woodland), Olivaia’s OLA Block X Heirloom (Lindsay), Rio Bravo Ranch Miller’s Reserve Blend (Bakersfield), Mangini Ranch Calaveras Reserve (Wallace)
Spanish Singles: Organic Roots Olive Oil Organic Arbequina (Maxwell), California Olive Ranch Arbequina (Chico), ENZO Olive Oil Company Bold (Clovis), ENZO Olive Oil Company Medium (Clovis), Cobram Estate Mild (Woodland), Olive Crush Farms Arbequina (Valley Springs), Mangini Ranch Mission (Wallace)
Italian Blends: Partridge Family Olive Co. North Points (Paso Robles), San Miguel Olive Farm Tuscan Gold Eleganza Elite (San Miguel), San Miguel Olive Farm Tuscan Gold Tuscaneiki (San Miguel)
Italian Singles: Rio Bravo Ranch Coratina (Bakersfield)
Other Blends: OH Olive Oil (Bakersfield)
Other Singles: Rosenthal Olive Ranch Koroneiki (Madera), Organic Roots Koroneiki (Maxwell), ENZO Olive Oil Company Delicate (Clovis)
We’d like to give a BIG thank you to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors for allowing us to be part of their board meeting on Tuesday, March 8 to present the Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) with their very own Merrill Award for the Joint Health & Safety Public Outreach Program; along with certificates of recognition to all who have supported our Fair as we were able to return back to an in-person Fair, safely.
The Big Fresno Fair is thrilled to announce it received its FIFTH Merrill Award – the “Academy Award or the Oscar” of the fair industry – at the Western Fairs Association’s (WFA) 99th Convention & Trade Show in Reno, Nevada where roughly 125 fairs throughout the Western United States attended to celebrate the greatest accomplishments of 2021. Given for the Fair’s Joint Health & Safety Public Outreach Program in partnership with the Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH), the Merrill Award recognizes fair programs that demonstrate outstanding vision, leadership and excellence.
In addition to receiving this outstanding award, The Big Fresno Fair walked away with 18 WFA Achievement Awards, which recognize the best practices by fairs in a variety of categories from advertising to community involvement. To see the full list of awards and read the full press release, click here!
Thank you to our wonderful community for their continued support over the past 138 years! We can’t wait to continue the tradition at the 2022 Big Fresno Fair, October 5 – 16!
The Big Fresno Fair is pleased to announce the new Board officer positions for 2022, which are: Chuck Riojas, Board President; Terry Gonsalves, Vice President and Gary S. Chahil as Secretary/Treasurer.
“We are lucky to have leadership on the Board who are committed to continuing to support and advocate for the betterment of The Big Fresno Fair,” said Stacy Rianda, Deputy Manager II, The Big Fresno Fair. “We look forward to continuing our conversations about the future of our Fair, how to continue growing our programs and looking at new ways to continue to keep our Fair healthy and safe for the community to enjoy.”
The Big Fresno Fair proudly welcomes new Board Members, Gary Chahil, Frank Flores, Terry Gonsalves and Annalisa Perea to the 21st District Agricultural Association (DAA) Board of Directors. They were appointed in September 2020 by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Additionally, the Board voted on the 2021 officer positions which are: Jerry Pacheco, Board President; Charles Riojas, Vice President; and Terry Gonsalves, Secretary/Treasurer.
“We are excited to have our new Fair Board members involved in the conversations about the future for our Fair, our operations and new ways to look at how we approach things amid the challenges of COVID-19,” said Stacy Rianda, Deputy Manager II of The Big Fresno Fair. “Each new Board member brings a new network with new opportunities and a fresh perspective to the Fair. With these Board additions and our new officers, we look forward to the future and the continued operations of our Fairgrounds and Fair in a safe and healthy way for our community to enjoy.”
Attributed to Stacy Rianda & Lauri King, Deputy Managers, The Big Fresno Fair The Big Fresno Fair was thrilled with the results from Drive-Thru Eats and the incredible support from the community. During the 10-day food and entertainment event nearly 26,000 cars passed through the Fairgrounds to enjoy this adapted version of The Big … Continue reading “The Big Fresno Fair Operational Update”
Attributed to Stacy Rianda & Lauri King, Deputy Managers, The Big Fresno Fair
The Big Fresno Fair was thrilled with the results from Drive-Thru Eats and the incredible support from the community. During the 10-day food and entertainment event nearly 26,000 cars passed through the Fairgrounds to enjoy this adapted version of The Big Fresno Fair, a 137-year Valley tradition.
This outpouring demonstrates that the community values the use of the 165-acre Fairgrounds, even in an adapted format. The public can expect future events like the Fresno Home & Garden Show (October 23 – 25) and Holiday Fantasy of Lights Show (November 27 – January 3) at the Fairgrounds – all operating within CDC and State health and safety guidelines.
Since March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown most Fresno Fairgrounds business operations, there has been minimal revenue to sustain ongoing operations. Therefore, the Fair adjusted to financially survive a long-term pandemic with an uncertain end by reducing expenses including staffing.
As a self-funded entity of the State, Fair Management and the Board formally entered into a process with the California Department of Food and Ag, Department of Personnel and CalHR to prepare layoff notices to all 26 full-time employees as of August as a precautionary measure since allowed public events were unknown at that time. These 120-day notices are effective as of December 16, 2020.
Based upon the allowed operations to-date, Fair Management will continue with a reduced staff of 8 full-time employees effective December 17 and into 2021. These positions encompass Management, Accounting, Administration and Maintenance.
Without knowing the future of public events and what is permissible by the CDC and State amid the ongoing COVID-19 health pandemic, the focus of the Fair is to continue raise funds through the Friends of the Big Fresno Fair and hold adapted public events within health guidelines.
There are a number of programs and organizations championing support of fairs throughout the State and Nation including Western Fairs Associations (WFA), International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE) and several independent fairgrounds’ efforts. All are working to lobby support of the fair industry as a whole, an industry that contributes $4.67 billion for the U.S. economy and supports thousands of jobs. Locally, The Big Fresno Fair annually contributes more than $77.1 million in economic impact to Fresno County.
The Big Fresno Fair (Fair) Board of Directors announced the transition of visionary Fair CEO John Alkire to the Friends of the Big Fresno Fair (Foundation) as its first CEO. Additionally, the Fair Board voted that Deputy Managers, Stacy Rianda and Lauri King will remain at the helm overseeing all ongoing operations to lead the Fair into the future. Both announcements are effective September 1, 2020.
The management restructuring is part of the Fair’s strategic plan to elevate fundraising efforts to achieve long-term success for the 137-year-old Fresno County tradition; an essential function with added emphasis amid the pandemic, which has significantly minimized normal Fair business operations since March.
“On behalf of the Fair Board, we thank John Alkire for his incredible leadership for the past 16 years during which time our Fairgrounds has been visually transformed with permanent features for the entire community to enjoy including two new museums and connections to the community expanded,” said Larry Serpa, President of The Big Fresno Fair Board of Directors. “As our Fair moves forward, there is not a more qualified team to lead than Stacy Rianda and Lauri King whose vast industry experience, personal investment in our community and unwavering leadership are quintessential for our future.”
