Corporate Backgrounder

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 California. The District represents the 21st District Agricultural Association, an entity of the California Department of Food & Agriculture Division of Fairs & Expositions.

The District is self-funded through business operations and generous community contributions. The District does not receive any mandatory funding from the State for operations; however, the Fair can apply for grants. The District’s budget is managed by CEO John Alkire, administrative management and staff, and is overseen by nine Board members appointed by the Governor’s office. The District ranks seventh out of 77 fairs in total operating reserve, placing it in the top 9% of all fairs for this category. According to an independent report from 2002, The Big Fresno Fair contributes more than $68.6 million in economic impact to Fresno County annually.

The District derives its annual income from three main sources: the annual Big Fresno Fair event, weekly Satellite Wagering and interim events. The largest interim events include the weekly Swap Meet, the annual Hmong International New Year Celebration and March Home & Garden Show.

The Big Fresno Fair is far more than just the Central Valley’s largest annual event, attracting nearly 550,000 patrons each year. It is a year-round rental facility spanning 165 acres held under a 50-year lease with the County of Fresno, and is host to over 175 events that annually attract more than 1 million additional visitors. 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 in Downtown Fresno. From the Fair event, satellite wagering and interim events, more than 1.5 million people visit the Fairgrounds annually – a number that increases each year as the Fairgrounds’ popularity continues to grow, in part due to the many capital improvements completed over the past decade.

In the past decade, the District has invested in excess of $13 million on capital improvements to provide Central Valley residents a facility they can enjoy and be proud of. Improvements include:

• Pirates in the Park, Catfish Falls, Dairyville USA, McCaffrey Miner’s Town, Fort Fresno, The Water Tree and now The Big Fresno Fair Farmer’s Market in the Table Mountain Rancheria Park provide fun and free attractions for families to enjoy year-round.
• Three separate entrances have been reconstructed to allow a more lushly landscaped, efficient and safe entrance to the Fairgrounds.
• Major electrical, sewer and water upgrades have been made throughout the entire facility.
• The Fresno County Sesquicentennial Park, dedicated in 2006, permanently signifies the unity and collaboration of Fresno County cities.
• Projects including the 14,000 panel solar project, and recycled rubber flooring installed in four critical areas that saved California landfills from over 21,000 tires, have catapulted the District into the spotlight as an emerging “environmentally friendly” leader.
• Horse racing track improvements have included planting more than 6,500 new trees with the addition of 2.5 miles of new pop-up sprinklers adding “green” aesthetics to this historic part of the Fairgrounds.
• The 1890 replica of The Big Fresno Fair’s grandstand entrance including a life-sized horse and jockey at the infield parking entrance at Kings Canyon Avenue adds a historic monument to this valued tradition. Along with a completely remodeled Kings Canyon Gate entry that includes rock waterfalls and a shaded covering.
• The RV Park, added in 2009, contains 72 spaces for Fair vendors and concessionaires or year round interim events customers.

These attractions and improvements are just a small sampling of how the District has continually improved over the years.

This type of dedication and betterment of the Fairgrounds has not gone unnoticed. In 2009, The Big Fresno Fair was named the first-ever Western Fairs Association California Feature Fair, which means representatives from throughout the Western United States, Canada and Mexico visited the grounds during the 2009 event to learn about the Fair’s capital improvements, exhibits and special programs.

The District’s dedicated and experienced team works tirelessly to launch The Big Fresno Fair event annually as a social and culturally diverse reflection of the community through exhibits, livestock, horse racing, quality entertainment and more. The Fair provides a link between urban and rural California, serving as a tool in educating Valley residents on our rich agricultural industry who might have otherwise not understood the importance or vastness of this commerce on our region. Its mission: To educate, celebrate and have fun.

With its long history of service, The Big Fresno Fair is not just the largest annual event in the Central Valley; it is an integral part of the community providing critical economic impact and a prized facility for the more than 150 interim events held each year. This year The Big Fresno Fair marks its 129th year of operation – a proud time for all who have served, enjoyed and benefited from its well-respected operation.

Members of the Board of Directors include: Tim Bakman, President; William White, Vice President; Debbie Jacobsen, Secretary Treasurer; Ardie Der Manouel, Ron Barsamian, Larry Serpa, Elizabeth Hudson,  Wangyee Vang and A.J. Yates. John C. Alkire heads daily operations in his role as Chief Executive Officer.

NOTE: Current as of January, 2012.