Fairgrounds Appreciation Month – Rodeos and Animal Shows

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!

National Garlic Day!

Grab your “mince” because today is National Garlic Day! 🥁🧄 Did you know that garlic wards off blood suckers? And we’re not talking about vampires either! 🧛‍♂️ Garlic can actually be used as a mosquito repellent!

 

Did you also know that the National Garlic Festival is happening at the Fresno Fairgrounds?! Be sure to mark your calendars for the National Garlic Festival, May 13 – 15! More details here.

Winners of the 7th Annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition (SJVOOC)

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)
  • Spanish Singles: Olivaia’s OLA Estate Sevillano (Lindsay), Mountain Springs Olive Ranch Arbequina (Paso Robles), The Olive Press Picual (Sonoma), Organic Roots Arbosana (Maxwell), Rio Bravo Ranch Picual (Bakersfield), Coppetti Olive Oil Manzanilla (Oakdale)
  • 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 Oil Frantoio 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)

 

Silver Medal Winners:

  • Spanish Blends: California Olive Ranch Miller’s Blend (Chico), Corto Olive Co. Truly (Stockton)
  • 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)

 

Flavored Olive Oils:

Gold Medal Winners

  • Citrus: Coldani Olive Ranch Calivirgin Lavish Lime (Lodi), ENZO Olive Oil Company Organic Clementine Crush (Clovis)
  • Herbal: Coldani Olive Ranch Calivirgin Bountiful Basil (Lodi), Coldani Olive Ranch Calivirgin Rustic Rosemary (Lodi), Sciabica’s California Olive Oil Basil (Modesto)
  • Pepper: Coldani Olive Ranch Calivirgin Habanero (Lodi), Coldani Olive Ranch Calivirgin Hot Virgin Jalapeno (Lodi), The Olive Press Jalapeno (Sonoma), Sciabica’s California Olive Oil Jalapeno (Modesto)

Silver Medal Winners

  • Citrus: Coldani Olive Ranch’s Calivirgin Lusty Lemon (Lodi), Sciabica’s California Olive Oil Lemon (Modesto), ENZO Olive Oil Company Organic Lemon Crush (Clovis)
  • Herbal: Enzo Olive Oil Company Organic Basil Crush (Clovis)
  • Pepper: ENZO Olive Oil Company Organic Fresno Chili Crush (Clovis), Coldani Olive Ranch Calivirgin Jalapeno Garlic (Lodi)
  • Other: Coldani Olive Ranch Guilty Garlic (Lodi), Rancho Azul y Oro Olive Farm Smoked (San Miguel)

 

Congratulations again for all our entrants to help make the 7th Annual SJVOOC a success! For more details on this year’s competition, click here!