PARTNER POST: Valley Children’s Holiday Book Drive | NOW – December 19!

Valley Children's Holiday Book Drive

Our BFFs at Valley Children have a message for you!

 

The Valley Children’s Holiday Book Drive is happening NOW – December 19. Purchase your favorite children’s book at the Fresno Barnes & Noble and it will be distributed to patients through George’s Book Club program! 📖

 

George’s Book Club promotes and encourages children in Central California to become lifelong readers. 🦒💙

 

For more details on their literacy program, visit their website here!

Throwback Thursday to Horse Racing from 1916 to Present Day!

For our first Throwback Thursday of the month, we’re taking you all the way back to 1916 to meet five equine champions! Back then, a $1,000 purse was up for grabs in both the trotting and pacing events, and these incredible horses made history on the track.

 

Left to Right: Belle, Robin, Buck Thomas, Weed Patch, and Queen—just a few of the legendary horses that raced at the fair’s early events.

 

Since then, Horse Racing at The Big Fresno Fair has grown with new technology, exciting modern races, and even bigger prizes. 🏆 🏇

 

Stay tuned this spring for more details about Horse Racing at the 2025 Big Fresno Fair!

 

Photo Credits: Windows of the Past: The Fresno Fair – As Seen Through the Lens of Claude C. “Pop” Laval by Elizabeth M. Laval

Watch and Wager With Us This Weekend! | December 5-8

Watch & Wager With Us at The Starting Gate

Join us at our satellite wagering facility, The Starting Gate, to watch and wager with us and win money on some BIG stakes races happening December 7! Here’s which races you can wager on:

 

  • December 7 | Cigar Mile Handicap | $500,000
  • December 7 | Demoiselle Stakes | $250,000
  • December 7 | Go for Wand | $200,000
  • December 7 | Remsen Stakes | $250,000
  • December 7 | Starlet | $200,000
  • December 7 | Valedictory Stakes | $135,000

 

The Starting Gate is back at its original location off Butler Ave. between Maple and Chance Avenues. Hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Fridays – Sunday. Admission into The Starting Gate is $6 and parking is FREE! For horse racing inquiries, please contact please contact Ronnie Mobley at (559) 994-3105. More details here. 

Today is National Cookie Day So We Have an Amazing Recipe for You!

It’s National Cookie Day and we’re celebrating with the ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe! Check out the graphics for a Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe to try this holiday season from the Food Network! 🍪🍫

 

For tips from the baker, visit their website here. 

 

Think you have an award-winning cookie recipe? Create and submit into our 2025 Competitive Exhibits Program! More details will be posted on our website next Spring. Until then, happy baking! 🥧🥐

American Cornhole – Fresno Major This Weekend | December 6-7

Fresno Major ACO Season XX Fresno Fairgrounds December 6 - 7, 2024 Fresno, CA

Catch all the action at the American Cornhole Tournament at the Fresno Fairgrounds, December 6 and 7 from 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. Whether you’re a fan or a player, don’t miss out on the competition. For tickets and registration, please email registration@americancornhole.com.🏆🎯

 

For more details and to fill out an application, click here.

Check Out These Holiday Events Happening Throughout Fresno County!  

Things To Do in Fresno County This Holiday Season

The holiday season is finally here and we have a list of must-do activities for you, your family and friends to enjoy throughout Fresno County to get you into the holiday spirit!

 

  1. November 30 | 3rd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Drone Show at Table Mountain Casino Resort (FREE) – Fresno 
  2. NOW – January 12 | Hanford Winter Wonderland
  3. NOW – February 1 | IllumiNature at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo
  4. December 2024 | Fresno X-Mas Lights Guide
  5. December 1 – 25 | Candy Cane Lane – Clovis (FREE) 
  6. December 7 | Clovis Children’s Electric Christmas Parade (FREE) 
  7. December 3 – 25 | Christmas Tree Lane (FREE) – Fresno
  8. December 4 | 41st Annual Tree Lighting (FREE) – Sanger
  9. December 6 | Christmas in the Park (FREE) – Reedley
  10. December 7 – December 12 | Christmas at Kearney Mansion – Fresno 
  11. December 8 | Here Comes Santa! At Clovis Veterans Memorial District (FREE) 
  12. December 10 – January 12 | Downtown Fresno Ice Rink
  13. December 14 | 95th Annual Downtown Fresno Christmas Parade (FREE) 
  14. December 14 | 13th Annual Jingle Bell Run – Fresno 
  15. December 14 | 4th Annual Winter Wonderland at Storyland
  16. December 14 | Kerman Christmas Parade (FREE) 
  17. December 15 | Fresno Art Museum’s Holiday Family Day (FREE) 
  18. December 21 | World Ballet Series: The Nutcracker at the William Saroyan Theater
  19. December 21 | Fresno County Historical Museum Tour (FREE) – Fresno Fairgrounds
  20. December 28 – 31 | Hmong New Year Celebration – Fresno Fairgrounds

 

Happy holidays from your BFFs at The Big Fresno Fair! 🎄✨

Happy Thanksgiving from our Big Fresno Fair Family to Yours!

Wishing Your a Happy Thanksgiving! From The Big Fresno Fair in white font

“Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” – William Aurthur Ward

 

We are grateful today and every day for our staff, vendors, exhibitors, entertainers, community and safety partners and, of course, OUR COMMUNITY! Happy Thanksgiving from our Big Fresno Fair family to yours!

 

 Let us know what you’re thankful for!

Watch and Wager With Us This Weekend! | Nov 28 – Dec 1

Watch & Wager With Us! Teal

Join us at our Satellite Wagering facility to watch and wager with us and win money on some BIG stakes races happening November 28 – December 1! Here’s which races you can wager on:

 

  • November 29 | Hollywood Turf Cup | $200,000
  • November 30 | Comely Stakes | $200,000
  • November 30 | Hollywood Derby | $300,000
  • November 30 | Jimmy Durante Stakes | $100,000
  • November 30 | Seabiscuit Handicap | $200,000

 

The Starting Gate is back at its original location off Butler Ave. between Maple and Chance Avenues. Hours are Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Friday – Sunday from 10 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Admission into The Starting Gate is $6 and parking is FREE! For horse racing inquiries, please contact please contact Ronnie Mobley at (559) 994-3105. More details here.