Coordinates: 36°43′53″N 119°44′59″W / 36.73139°N 119.74980°W / 36.73139; -119.74980

The Big Fresno Fair

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The Big Fresno Fair at night
Livestock animal at The Big Fresno Fair

The Big Fresno Fair, founded in 1884, is the fifth-largest fair in the State of California[citation needed]. The Big Fresno Fair represents the 21st District Agricultural Association, an entity of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Division of Fairs & Expositions. It is the largest annual event in the San Joaquin Valley, attracting more than 600,000 people each October during its two-week run featuring exhibits, a livestock show, live horse racing, musical entertainment, educational programs and more.[1] The Fair provides a link between urban and rural California, serving as a tool to educate visitors on the region's rich agricultural industry. The mission of The Big Fresno Fair is to "Educate, Celebrate and Have Fun."

In addition to being the site of the annual Fair, the Fresno Fairgrounds serves as a year-round rental facility that spans 165 acres held under a 50-year lease with the County of Fresno. The Fresno Fairgrounds hosts more than 250 annual events such as conventions, trade shows and banquets located in Fresno, California. More than 1.5 million people visit the Fresno Fairgrounds annually.

The district is self-funded through business operations and generous community contributions; it does not receive any funding from the State for operations. The district's budget is managed by a CEO and their and staff, and is overseen by a nine-member Board appointed by the Governor's office. The district derives its annual income from three main sources: the annual Big Fresno Fair, weekly satellite wagering and interim events. According to an independent report from 2002, The Big Fresno Fair contributes more than $68.6 million in economic impact to Fresno County annually.

History

Origin

A group of local businessmen, growers and ranchers formed an organization called the "Fresno Fair Grounds Association" in February 1883. The original directors were Dr. Lewis Leach, M. I. Donahou, Frederick A. Woolsworth, A. B. Butler and T. M. Hughes.[2] The association sold stock to raise funds and with those funds, bought a tract of land from Thomas E. Hughes & Sons and began construction of a horse racetrack. Following official admission to the National Trotting Association, the first races occurred in May 1884 and the new track was assessed to be in "first-class order" by a writer from the Sacramento Bee.[3] The first Fresno Fair opened in October of 1884 and featured a five day race horse meet, a few produce displays and several head of livestock.[4]

The fairgrounds only consisted of a racetrack until 1888, when a grandstand and a pavillion were completed a few weeks before the fair opened.[4] The fair was well attended and the races draw many bettors, however by 1895, the fair succumbed to the depression of the 1890s and the fairgrounds property was put up for sale under foreclosure.[4]

County Ownership and Management

The fairgrounds property was bought by Fresno County in 1901 for $30,000 and a period of uncertainty and missed years of the fair followed.[4] Management the fair was taken over by the Fresno County Agricultural Association which added stability but the organization still struggled to convince county supervisors to fund needed improvements to the fairgrounds and it's facilities.[5] A collective of local banks, churches, merchants associations and the chamber of commerce signed a petition asking for fairgrounds improvements and broke through the county's reluctance to spend.[5] An agricultural exhibit building was completed in 1911, an industrial exhibit building was completed in 1912 and dynamic new secretary named Clyde Eberhart was hired. All this led to a decade of growth for the fair. A commerce building was completed in 1914 and the fair drew governor Hiram Johnson to attend as a guest of honor in 1916.

Historian Donald Marti credits the Big Fresno Fair for popularizing intentional train wrecks as a fair event spectacle across the US, an idea of Eberhart's. The first Fresno intentional train wreck was in 1919 and was attended by 35,000 people.[6][7][8]

World War 2 and Fresno Assembly Center

Temporary Detention Camp Japanese Americans at Fresno Assembly Centers during World War 2. Girls learning batons use
Fresno Assembly Center merit badge card for the Boy Scouts of America dated October 2, 1942. Recipient is actually named Roy Nakagawa, not Ray Nakagama

The Fresno Fairgrounds was the site of one of several temporary detention camps located throughout the West that represented the first phase of the mass incarceration of 97,785 Californians of Japanese ancestry during World War II. Pursuant to Executive Order 9066, thirteen makeshift detention facilities were constructed at various California racetracks, fairgrounds, and labor camps.[9] These facilities were intended to confine Japanese Americans until more permanent internment camps could be built in isolated areas of the country, such as Manzanar and Tule Lake in California. Beginning on March 30, 1942, all native-born Americans and long-time legal residents of Japanese ancestry living in California were ordered to surrender themselves for detention. 5,344 Japanese Americans from Fresno and the surrounding area passed through the Fresno Assembly Center before being transferred to the Jerome War Relocation Center in Arkansas and Gila River, Arizona.[10] California Historical Landmark #934 is a memorial dedicated to the more than 5,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry who were confined at the fairgrounds from May to October 1942. The marker is part of an expanded Fresno Assembly Center Memorial that lists in bronze the names of all who were incarcerated there with photos and personal commentaries by former Valley internees and their families. Banners highlighting photos from the era also educate visitors about the historical significance of the site.

When the Assembly Center closed, the fairgrounds became the Fresno Army Air Forces Training Center home of the Army Air Forces Basic Training Center No. 8. This was the United States Army Air Forces Fourth Air Force's non-flying training facility. At is peak it covered 300 acres for orientation and initial training of new forces. The Training Center closed on February 13, 1946.[11]

State Management

In 1948, the fair was reborn under the leadership of Tom Dodge and the 21st District Agricultural Association,[4] but the Army's use of the fairgrounds had left them in disrepair. By 1953, both the agricultural and industrial exhibit buildings were razed due to the estimated cost to renovate them.[5] New buildings were erected in their place.

A grandstand addition, as well as an expansion of the Paul Paul Theater, was completed in time for 1979 fair opening.

In 2004, the fair petting zoo area was investigated as the potential origin of a Fresno-area E. Coli outbreak.[12]

Champion racehorse California Chrome, born and raised in the central valley, was celebrated at the fair on October 11, 2014 in a special presentation between the horse races.[13]

A lawsuit between a Fresno artist and the fair was filed after the 2015 fair barred his painting, depicting a confederate flag, from being displayed. The fair allowed the painting to be displayed at the 2016 fair and the state settled the lawsuit in the artist's favor.[14]

Cell phone video of a brawl at the 2015 fair went viral on social media and led to increased police presence at future fairs.[15] Fair patrollers include security guards, the Fresno Police and Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

A virtual fair occurred in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled all live events & rides. There were cancellations in 1917–18 & 1942–44.

Facilities

Wedding being performed in the Pavilion at the Fresno Fairgrounds

There are nine major exhibit buildings and the Table Mountain Rancheria Park and Pavilion amphitheater.

The visitors gate entrance on Chance Avenue was remodeled in 2004 due to $250,000 gift, the largest single contribution in the fair's history.[16]

A statue dedicated to Fresno police chief and Mayor Jerry Dyer was unveiled in September 2019.[17] The statue sits at Iron Mountain near the pavilion.[17]

List of rental facilities at the Fresno Fairgrounds:

  • Agriculture Building: 19,000 sq. ft. – 2,700 capacity
  • Commerce Building: 25,000 sq. ft. – 3,871 capacity
  • Fine Arts & Photography Building (Industrial Education): 11,000 sq. ft. – 1,571 capacity
  • Gem & Mineral Building: 4,760 sq. ft. – 680 capacity
  • Industry Commerce Building: 25,000 sq. ft. – 3,571 capacity
  • Junior Exhibit Building: 20,000 sq. ft. – 2,858 capacity
  • Livestock Pavilion
  • Paul Paul Theater, formerly the Headliner Stage:[18] 5,000 capacity
  • Table Mountain Rancheria Park
  • The Greenhouse: 21,063 sq. ft.
  • Turf Club – Brian I. Tatarian Grandstand: 200 capacity

The Big Fresno Fair Museum and Fresno County Historical Museum

The Big Fresno Fair Museum

In 2013, The Big Fresno Fair opened the Big Fresno Fair Museum. Located in O'Neill Hall, the Museum features the history of The Big Fresno Fair, Fresno agriculture and the City of Fresno. It has more than 2,600 items, including an exhibit by American photographer Pop Laval. In 2014, a documentary-style video, Heritage Talks, was added to the museum that features an oral history from Building Superintendents, Boards of Directors, staff members, concessionaires, and horse racing enthusiasts In 2015, the museum expanded to include a new 14,000 square foot building which houses the Fresno County Historical Museum. In 2018, the History of Boxing exhibit was added.

Horse racing

Horse racing at the fair

Horse racing has been held since the inaugural fair in 1883, which featured five days of racing between horses of farm owners from throughout the Valley.

The Big Fresno Fair's horse track is considered one of the fastest on the California racing circuit and draws more than 500 horses to compete during its nine days of racing. In the past decade, more than $4 million has been invested in the horse racing facility including a complete remodel of the paddock and addition of a luxury deck to the Brian I. Tatarian Grandstand and planting of 6,100 trees.[19]

Unique to all California fairs, the district operates two year-round satellite wagering facilities – The Starting Gate at the fairgrounds and The Polo Lounge at Club One Casino – where horse racing can be watched and wagered on year-round four days a week[citation needed].

Fairgrounds events

The Fresno Fairgrounds hosts more than 250 events per year including the Sun-Maid Kennel Club Dog Show, NoTown Roller Derby, the Fresno Home & Garden Shows and concerts. Some key large annual events are:

  • Flea Market And Swap Meet - The Big Fresno Fairgrounds' Flea Market & Swap Meet takes place every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
  • Home Shows - The three Fresno Home Shows feature a variety of home-based industries. The Fresno Home and Garden Show is held each spring, The Fresno Home Remodeling and Decorating Show in the summer and The Fresno Fall Home Improvement Show is in the fall.
  • Hmong International New Year - The annual Hmong International New Year celebration at the Fresno Fairgrounds brings more than 100,000 people from all over the world. Festivity activities include Hmong arts and crafts and entertainment including pov pob, a traditional Hmong activity for unmarried couples.[20]

In July 2000, the fairgrounds hosted a rave event called "Cyberfest," attended by 25,000 people.[21] The event had been relocated from the Santa Clara Fairgrounds due to crime concerns.[21] The event in Fresno resulted in 54 drug-related arrests.

Awards

Awards won by The Big Fresno Fair include the Merrill Award in 2007, 2012 and 2015, presented annually by the Western Fairs Association for innovation, vision, and excellence. The Fair is the recipient of the WFA Gold Star and Achievement Award numerous times. CEO John Alkire was inducted into the WFA Hall of Fame in 2010.

Leadership

Appointed by the Governor of California, Board members serve a four-year term and can be reappointed after the conclusion of that term.

2022 Board of Directors:

President – Chuck Riojas

Vice President – Terry Gonsalves

Secretary/Treasurer – Gary Chahil

Board member – Linda Mae Balakian Hunsucker

Board member – Frank Flores

Board member – Jerry Pacheco

Board member – Annalisa Perea

Board member – Larry Salinas

The board hires a CEO to lead the management team. In 2022, Lauri King was selected as CEO. The fair also has a non-profit arm called Friends of the Big Fresno Fair, run by John Alkire as of 2022.[22]

References

  1. ^ Lloyd, Paula (October 21, 2009). "Fresno Fair sees rise in attendance". The Fresno Bee. p. A7. Retrieved July 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Incorporated". The Sacramento Bee. February 13, 1883. p. 3. Retrieved July 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Articles of incorporation have been filed with the secretary of state of the Fresno Fair Grounds Association. Directors—Lewis Leach, M. I. Donahou, Frederick A. Woodworth, A. B. Butler, T. M. Hughes
  3. ^ "Turf Topics". The Sacramento Bee. May 28, 1884. p. 1. Retrieved July 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c d e Laval, Elizabeth M. (October 20, 2004). The Fresno Fair: As Seen Through the Lens of Claude C. Pop Laval. Word Dancer Press. ISBN 9781884995484.
  5. ^ a b c "Ex Aide Recalls Fair Buildings Being Razed Cost $8,000 Each". The Fresno Bee. February 20, 1953. p. 6. Retrieved July 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Marti, Donald (June 24, 1986). Historical Directory of American Agricultural Fairs. Greenwood. ISBN 9780313241888. show featured a 'thrill day,' including a locomotive crash that was probably copied from the Big Fresno, California, Fair
  7. ^ Marling, Karal Ann (1990). A Social and Pictorial History of the Minnesota State Fair. Minnesota Historical Society Press. ISBN 9780873512527. invention of the prearranged locomotive wreck to Clyde G. Eberhart, manager of the Big Fresno Fair in California, who lured thirty-five thousand people and the nation's newsreel cameras to his grandstand show in 1919
  8. ^ Kidder, Karl M. (January 25, 1973). "Big Fresno Fair Problem: Growing Pains". The Fresno Bee. p. 55. Retrieved July 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Wozniacka, Gosia (October 2, 2011), "Memorial site to mark Japanese American detention", Seattle Post-Intelligencer
  10. ^ Fresno" Densho Encyclopedia (accessed 17 Jun 2014)
  11. ^ militarymuseum.org Fresno Army Air Forces Training Center
  12. ^ Simmons, Ann M. (December 4, 2004). "E. Coli Source Still Sought". LA Times. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  13. ^ Marcum, Diana (June 6, 2014). "California Chrome's run at history has hometown breathless". LA Times. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  14. ^ Thompson, Don (May 2, 2017). "State: California Confederate flag ban excludes individuals". AP. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  15. ^ "Brawl at the Big Fresno Fair goes viral". ABC30. Fresno. October 11, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  16. ^ "Bank gift gives Big Fresno Fair gate a face-lift". The Fresno Bee. July 21, 2004. p. B2. Retrieved July 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ a b "Big Fresno Fair unveils giant statue in honor of Police Chief Jerry Dyer". ABC30. Fresno. September 28, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  18. ^ "Theater Retains Name". Merced Sun-Star. October 11, 1995. p. 3. Retrieved July 18, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. The Big Fresno Fair board agreed Monday to give the theater it's old name back. The board voted unanimously after Brian Tatarian urged members to rethink their decision to rename the theater in his honor
  19. ^ Benjamin, Marc (May 22, 2003). "Update to fair in the works". The Fresno Bee. p. B1. Retrieved July 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "What is the meaning of "Pov Pob" during the Hmong New Year Celebration?". Suab Hmong News. Wausau, Wisconsin. February 28, 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  21. ^ a b Navalta, Chris (July 30, 2000). "Big Business Discovers Generation's Secret". SF Gate. Retrieved July 20, 2022. The most recent rave, called 'Cyberfest,' was held at The Big Fresno Fair and, according to club promoters, provided "hundreds of acres of dance freedom.
  22. ^ Tehee, Joshua (August 29, 2020). "Big Fresno Fair CEO to take over nonprofit foundation". Fresno Bee. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.

36°43′53″N 119°44′59″W / 36.73139°N 119.74980°W / 36.73139; -119.74980

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