The Big Fresno Fair

The Big Fresno Fair

The Big Fresno Fair: More than just the Central Valley’s largest event!

The Big Fresno Fair (District), founded in 1884, is the fifth largest fair in the State of California. The District represents the 21st District Agricultural Association, an entity of the California Department of Food & Agriculture Division of Fairs & Expositions.

Attractions

The Big Fresno Fair has a long tradition of showcasing Central Valley Agriculture and Livestock. Visitors can Check out the Livestock Pavilion and see everything from farm animals to cow-milking demonstrations at the Challenge Dairy “Cow Palace” Milking Barn and more. This building features 12 days of livestock events including beef, dairy, goats, sheep and swine. By participating in these events, 4-H and FFA students not only have the opportunity to showcase and sell their animal projects, they also learn responsibility and gain agribusiness experience (unpaid labor).

Every year awards are given to those who compete in the Milk It For All It’s Worth dairy challenge where participants race against the clock to see who can fill a metal pail with the most cow’s milk in 90 seconds. Participants can register hourly in their respective age brackets 5-10, 11-15, 16-20, and 21 and older. The milk gathered from these lively competitions is later fried and sold for consumption by several of the Fair’s vendors (see Fair Cuisine). Winners receive coupons for discounted entry into other Fair exhibits, such as the Pinnacle Farms “Corn Castle” Planting Shed and the Barrett Brothers’ Plantation “Seed Depository” Insemination Shack.

Fairgoers can enjoy seeing baby animals like sheep, pigs and chicks, as well as all of the fun, educational and interactive exhibits in AgVentureland at the Big Fresno Fair! This unique experience affords visitors from all walks of life to experience the simple joys to be found in raising small livestock. Fairgoers can talk with farmers, ranchers, herders, and livestock specialists to learn all about the raising an animals from babies to big, strong, healthy adults, to the mass slaughtering to provide families all across the state (and even world!) with meat to eat, some of which can be savored on site!

Don’t forget to enjoy all of the fun also to be had at our Carnival! We have a giant slingshot, the Century Wheel, Super Shot Drop Tower, and many more!

Fair Cuisine

            The food you find at The Big Fresno Fair is unlike anything else. This unique food experience only comes around once a year! Don’t miss your opportunity to satisfy your Big Fair Food cravings! Don’t forget to pick up your Food Map at any Information Booth.

As you walk around the Fair, you will be greeted by an array of mouth-watering aromas at every turn. The Fair has seemingly endless options to choose from, ranging from deep-fried corndogs to deep-fried butter to deep-fried Pepsi.

• New Chicken Waffle Taco at Pepe’s Mariscos
• NEW spicy mango-flavored shaved ice treats Mangonada and Mexican chip-blend Tostilocos from J.L.Q. Concessions in the Wells Fargo Agriculture Building
• NEW Gooey Monster Funnel Cakes, Pan Puffs, Maple Syrup Funnel Cake and Deep Fried Candy Kabobs (bits of your favorite candy bars deep fried in funnel cake batter) at Funnel Cake Express Inc.
• NEW Deep Fried Candy Bars and Deep Fried Kool-Aid at MBM Concessions Fat Fanny’s in Sports Zone
• NEW Deep Fried Pork Rinds with Lime & Chile at Good Ol’ Burgers

Of course we make sure every year to include local fan favorites!:

• Deep Fried Oreo’s & Twinkies at MBM Concessions Fat Fanny’s Funnel Cakes in Sports Zone!
• Crab Fries, Seafood Gumbo, Gator Bites, Jambalaya and more at Southern Comfort Kitchen!
• Big Bubba’s Tri-Tip, BBQ Beef and Smoked Turkey Legs.
• Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls, Frozen Bananas, BBQ’d Corn, Churros, Sonoran Hot Dog, and more!
• Jumbo Corndogs, Polish Corndogs, Cajun Corndogs & Regular Corndogs
• Cotton Candy & Caramel Apples

Here are what some fair goers had to say about the food!:

John G. Abbot

“There are two things that I look forward to…beerrocks and soft tacos. That is the definition of traditional Fresno Fair food!”

Michael Brenner

“I come for the big pickles. Just the big pickles. Some people come for the corndogs and funnel cakes, but me, I come for the pickles. They’re just so big.”

Sara Moore

“Most definitely the shrimp ceviche from the Mariscos Stand! I look forward to it all year!”

Sam Krikorian

“As a medical doctor, I usually advise my patients to stay away from foods high in fat, cholesterol, and sugar. But at the fair, it’s anything goes. Have you tried the deep fried Snickers? Fat Fanny knows how to fry a candy bar just right.”

Jackyln King

“I would have to say that my favorite Fair food is the Baked Potato fully loaded and Corn in a Cup…and then for dessert, most definitely an ice cream sundae!”