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!

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!

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.

Be Part of the Livin’ Local Marketplace at the 2022 Big Fresno Fair!

Are you a local vendor who would like to showcase your locally grown products and handcrafted items to over 600,000 Fairgoers at the 2022 Big Fresno Fair? Then you need to be part of our Livin’ Local Marketplace – all dedicated to our incredible local vendors! We’re looking for everything from food to clothing, jewelry, art and more!

 

Interested in becoming a vendor to showcase your products? Head to our website to fill out an application today! A limited number of vendors will be accepted. Applications are due by Tuesday, May 31 OR until space is sold out.

 

For more details and to fill out an application, click here.

NEW Attractions! Pop! Culture Experience Featuring The Showdown

The Big Fresno Fair is partnering with Blue Shell Gaming once again to bring a one-of-a-kind experience to the Fair! The NEW Pop! Culture Experience Featuring The Showdown will be a Comin-Con style building with vendors, a gaming museum, Virtual Reality stations, retro and new gen video gaming, including Mario Kart LIVE and eSports competitions! Also, enter into two eSports tournaments both weekends of the Fair with Super Smash Bros. and FIFA ’21. PLUS, parents can enjoy a lounge area and also learn some more about gaming. Admission is FREE into the building. Cost for video game and eSports access is $5 per hour or $20 for entire day. Special “Gamer Passes” are available for $99 and lets you play all 12 days of the Fair! Gamer Pass does not include Fair Admission.

 

For more details on this fun and unique attraction, click here!

 

This building is made possible by The Big Fresno Fair, Blue Shell Gaming, Fresno Fuego and Xfinity.

Apply Today to Be Part of our NEW Livin’ Local Marketplace at the Fair!

There’s still time to apply for a space in our NEW Livin’ Local Marketplace – located in the former Gem & Minerals Building! If you are a local vendor who would like to showcase your locally grown products and handcrafted items to over 600,000 Fairgoers at the 2021 Big Fresno Fair, such as food, clothing, jewelry and more, be sure to download your application at www.fresnofair.com/livinlocal. Deadline to apply is Wed, 9/15.

Join Us For the First-Ever Beer & Wine Fest! | Saturday, October 9

Beer and Wine enthusiasts UNITE! Join us for the first-ever combination event of the Beer & Wine Fest on Saturday, October 9 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.! From inside the horse racing track, sip on beer and wine from 20+ breweries and wineries from the San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast, enjoy music, play lawn games and of course, wager on horse races! Some of the Valley’s BEST food trucks will be on deck serving up some of their delicious eats, plus enjoy a variety of vendors from decadent chocolates, cigars and more.

 

Ticket prices are $25 for the Fest (no Fair Admission included) and $15 for Designated Driver. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, September 1 to the public. For more details on this fun-filled event, click here!

Be Part of NEW Livin’ Local Marketplace at the Fair!

Are you a local vendor who would like to showcase your locally grown products and handcrafted items to over 600,000 Fairgoers at the 2021 Big Fresno Fair? Then you need to be part of our NEW Livin’ Local Marketplace – all dedicated to our incredible local vendors!

 

Connect with us and get more details today! We are looking for everything from food to clothing, jewelry and more! If it’s local and a great tie to the Central Valley, we’re interested!

 

Be sure to download and fill out an application TODAY for the new Livin’ local Marketplace! This new and exciting market place gives local vendors an affordable option to sell their goods at the Fair.  

 

Deadline to apply for space is Wednesday, September 15. Download the application here!

Showcase Your Food Truck at the First-Ever “Food Truck Alley” at the 2021 Big Fresno Fair!

For the first time ever, the Fair is teaming up with local food trucks to be featured in our new “Food Truck Alley” which will feature different local food trucks each day of the Fair! This new area – located on the south end of the Fairgrounds by the Butler Gate – will have shaded seating, free entertainment and plenty of delicious local food!

 

If you’re interested in showcasing your food truck, fill out an application today! Deadline to submit your application is Wednesday, September 1.

 

To download the application, click here!