Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Exhibits of Local Success | Livin’ Local Marketplace

✨Today’s #FairgroundsAppreciationMonth Theme is – Exhibits of Local Success✨


Fairgrounds are meant to showcase the best of the best in a community, share its successes and be a source of community pride. At the Fresno Fairgrounds, we consider this role a top honor. Whether we are showcasing community history in our Fresno County Historical Museum or showcasing locally grown products and handcrafted items by local vendors in our Livin’ Local Marketplace to all the other ways we honor our incredible Fresno County community – it is something so important to us and an honor to continue to do.
We appreciate all those fairgrounds that continuously showcase and honor local successes in their community! Continue to lift one another up this Fairgrounds Appreciation Month!

Q29 Roastery – Specialty Cold Brew
Grandma’s Old Fashion Butter Bunches

Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Rodeos and Animal Shows

Photo Courtesy of Pop Laval Foundation
2021 Big Fresno Fair Livestock Show

Fairs were built on the foundation of agriculture and livestock. Now, 138 years later, the livestock exhibit is one of the biggest aspects of the annual Big Fresno Fair, , and at year-round community events such as Jack Pots, Red Wave Classic, among many more. Our Fair, and others throughout California and the nation, provide a platform for our 4-H and FFA youth to connect with one another, share their agricultural knowledge with the community, develop their marketing and public speaking skills and continue to grow as leaders in our communities.

Fairs also serve as a connection point between agriculture and our urban populations – telling the story of our food supply, providing education on the variety and characteristics of livestock, how to properly care for them and more. Many kids will see their first cow or pig at their local fair.

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!

Join Us for the Biggest Race of the Year for the Kentucky Derby This Weekend!

Join us this weekend for the biggest race of the year! Head on over to our satellite wagering facility, The Starting Gate, to watch and wager on the Kentucky Oak races beginning Friday, May 6 and on Saturday, May 7 for the Kentucky Derby! Gates open 7 a.m. both days – time subject to change. 

 

Here are a few things to know before you go: 

 

  • Admission is $6; VIP Room is an additional $5
  • To make reservations for VIP, please call Pardini’s at (559) 253-0155
  • Parking is FREE! Just enter through Gate 2 off Chance Ave. and park in front of Grandstand or in the Chance parking lot

 

Betting forms may be purchased the day before the Derby. Questions? Please call Ruben Gastelo at (559) 916-7964. For more details, click here.

First Round of the Table Mountain Concert Series Announced!

We’re excited to announce the first seven shows as part of the 2022 Big Fresno Fair’s Table Mountain Concert Series presented by Modelo and Toyota! 🎶 Here’s who to expect so far on this year’s line-up:

 

  • Wednesday, October 5 | Dwight Yoakam
  • Thursday, October 6 | Ice Cube
  • Tuesday, October 11 | KMJ 100th Anniversary Celebration feat. Tower of Power with special guest Paul Rodriguez
  • Wednesday, October 12 | Midland
  • Thursday, October 13| Dana Carvey
  • Friday, October 14 | Phil Wickham
  • Saturday, October 15 | Ladies Night Out feat. Ashanti and Baby Bash

For more details on this year’s entertainment, click here! 

 

A special online only pre-sale starts Tuesday, May 17 at 10 a.m. for Big Fair Fan Club Members only! The special BFF Club concert pre-sale will go from Tuesday, May 17 until Tuesday, May 31 at 11:59 p.m., during which members can purchase their concert tickets before anyone else, PLUS get 50% off their Fair Admission with each concert ticket purchase. Concert tickets and discounted admission MUST be purchased in the same transaction. Tickets will then go on sale to the general public (online only) beginning Wednesday, June 1 at 10 a.m.

 

Know someone who’s not a BFF Fan Club Member but wants to get their concert tickets early? Tell them to sign up here!

Italian Heritage Celebrated at Ribbon Cutting Event

More than 150 people attended a ribbon cutting celebration on April 30, commemorating the completion of Phase I of the Italian Heritage Museum Exhibit in the Fresno County Historical Museum at the Fresno Fairgrounds. Made possible through grants from the Isnardi Foundation and E&J Gallo Winery, along with community donations – the Italian Heritage Museum Exhibit is already revered as one of the most comprehensive exhibits in the Western United States dedicated to the Italian culture and according to Nat DiBuduo, Chairman of the committee behind this exhibit, plans are already underway for continued expansion. Speakers included Isnardi Foundation Director, Peter Tocchini; Italian Consul General in San Francisco, Sergio Strozzi; Fresno State Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, Honora Chapman; along with other local dignitaries, committee members and historical contributors – all addressing the importance of preserving the rich history and personal stories of the Italian Americans in Fresno County and beyond.

“We are extremely thankful for the support of all those involved in making this exhibit come to life. What started as a vision in Spring of 2019, has evolved into a historic and beautiful exhibit. Despite some setbacks due to the pandemic, our committee and contributors pushed forward to make this exhibit a reality so we could tell the important, in-depth stories of our Italian immigrant families – how they settled in Fresno County, their successes, their struggles. It’s an honor to tell these stories of our heritage and part of our community’s history to younger generations and document it for our generations who lived it.”

Nat DiBuduo, Chairman, Italian Heritage Museum Exhibit committee

To read the complete press release about Phase I of the Italian Heritage Museum Exhibit go here.

Its National Raisin Day!

Happy National Raisin Day! Here’s a “grape” fact: Selma produces 93% of the world’s raisin crop and was given the name “Raisin Capital of the World” in 1963.

 

Be sure to take a look around the Agriculture Building to check out the amazing grape and raisin displays, along with other produce grown right in our backyard at the 2022 Big Fresno Fair!

Join Us for the Biggest Race of the Year for the Kentucky Derby!

The biggest race of the year is almost here! Join us at our satellite wagering facility, The Starting Gate, to watch and wager on the Kentucky Oak races beginning Friday, May 6 and on Saturday, May 7 for the Kentucky Derby! Gates open 7 a.m. both days – time subject to change. 

 

Here are a few things to know before you go: 

 

  • Admission is $6; VIP Room is an additional $5
  • To make reservations for VIP, please call Pardini’s at (559) 253-0155
  • Parking is FREE! Just enter through Gate 2 off Chance Ave. and park in front of Grandstand or in the Chance parking lot

 

Betting forms may be purchased the day before the Derby. Questions? Please call Ruben Gastelo at (559) 916-7964. For more details, click here.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Save BIG During our BFF Club Pre-sale! Ends April 19

Don’t forget! The last day to take advantage of the BFF Club Pre-sale is quickly approaching! All BFF Club Members (free email newsletter) will have the exclusive opportunity to:

 

  • Save $2 off Admission tickets – All Ages (regular price is $12 for Adults and $8 for Children, Seniors and Military)
  • Purchase a Season Pass for just $40 (regular price $48)
  • Purchase your Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristbands for only $33 (regular price is $35 M-Th and $40 Fri – Sun)

 

These savings are only available until Friday, April 29 at 11:59 p.m. so be sure to take advantage of them! A special password will be emailed to ONLY our BFF Fan Club Members which will give you access to the pre-sale! Not a Fair Fan Club Member? Sign up today here to get your 2022 Big Fresno Fair tickets early!

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Save BIG During our BFF Club Pre-sale! Ends April 19

Don’t forget! The last day to take advantage of the BFF Club Pre-sale is quickly approaching! All BFF Club Members (free email newsletter) will have the exclusive opportunity to:

 

  • Save $2 off Admission tickets – All Ages (regular price is $12 for Adults and $8 for Children, Seniors and Military)
  • Purchase a Season Pass for just $40 (regular price $48)
  • Purchase your Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristbands for only $33 (regular price is $35 M-Th and $40 Fri – Sun)

 

These savings are only available until Friday, April 29 at 11:59 p.m. so be sure to take advantage of them! A special password will be emailed to ONLY our BFF Fan Club Members which will give you access to the pre-sale! Not a Fair Fan Club Member? Sign up today here to get your 2022 Big Fresno Fair tickets early!