Annual event draws in people from all over the valley

The warm weather, the distinctive noise of a roller coaster clanking across its track, and the smell of corn dogs and popcorn drifting in the air are all too familiar this time of year. That’s right, it’s fair season again. The Madera Fair became the first local fair to open and brought visitors from across the valley.

Madera became one of the first towns to put on their annual district fair this past weekend, Sept. 8-11. Despite the fact that the town is considered small, the Madera Fair was packed full of activities and concerts that were sure to keep visitors busy.

Although the temperature during the afternoon was warmer than what most people would consider comfortable, the rides, lines and booths still buzzed with spectators. For some, the fair is a rare spectacle that only comes around once a year, but for those who work operating the rides and games, it is simply business as usual.

Most people tend to overlook those who work at the fair, despite the fact that they are such a vital part to the event. For one man, Carlos Munos, working at the fair has become a routine, although he still gets excited for particular fairs he works at.

“I started working at the fair six or seven years ago,” Munos said. “We do other fairs too, like in Fresno and Bakersfield. We travel with the fair. San Diego is my favorite fair to work at because the beach is right there, close to the fair.”

The fair also brings up the opportunity for many businesses and organizations to obtain publicity for themselves. Various booths set up around the fair gave off an almost business like atmosphere. Although booths may not seem like the most entertaining aspect of the fair, they do offer a wide variety of information for someone new to the area or searching for a job.

Among the booths sprinkled throughout the fairgrounds, many of them represented law enforcement or fire departments. Jamie Williams of Cal Fire, looked to use the fair as a way to promote fire safety to both children and adults. Despite this being her first fair representing Cal Fire, Williams uses her knowledge of fire safety to inform those who check out her booth.

“We like to be able to reach out to the public and educate them on fire safety,” Williams said. “We teach them how to get in and out of the house in the event of a fire and teach them how to keep their kids safe. We answer questions about the bark beetle and tree mortality that’s happening up by Yosemite National Park, Oakhurst and Mariposa areas. We have a lot of people who travel up to that area, so we just like to be able to keep them informed on the fire hazards that are there.”

Besides the food, rides and booths, one cannot attend the fair without noticing the livestock and other animals. For those in 4-H  and FFA, the fair provides an opportunity for members to show off the animals they have been raising for months and sometimes even years.

Working with animals at the fair requires countless hours and dedication. For many, coming to the fair both before and after school is necessary to care for their animals.

Samuel Price, a fifth grader in 4-H, enjoys fair week because it gives him a moment to show off his animals.

“I have been doing 4-H for two years,” Price said. “My favorite part of 4-H is feeding my pigs and heifer. My favorite animal to do is pigs because they are just fun. I already sold my pig and it went for seven fifty. The best part about the fair is the corndogs.”

Another 4-H member, Robbie Iest, has been working with animals for six years. Iest looks forward to the competition that comes with the fair.

“I look forward to showing my pigs, and also cleaning and washing them,” Iest said. “My favorite memories of the fair are of when I am competing. It’s exciting having pigs at the fair and I really look forward to it. I try to improve and do better each time.”

Although the Madera Fair has come to a close, there are still plenty of local fairs that are yet to come. The Tulare fair is currently underway, Sept. 14-18. If you are interested in attending a local fair, visit seecalifornia.com for a complete list and schedule of upcoming fairs.

For more articles, read: Nation rallies together on historical day.

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