Students anticipate upcoming fair season

Each autumn as the leaves begin to fall and the sun starts to set earlier in the evening, Californians equip themselves for fair season. The over 70 fairs in the state provide students and adults with many opportunities to enjoy the season.

The Madera District Fair kicks off the festivities as it is one of the first local fairs to open its gates. The event begins on Sept. 7 and ends on the tenth. The fair officially began in 1937, and has been cherished and anticipated by the community ever since.

Programs such as 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) are highlighted at the Madera Fair, as they are in many county fairs. The fair gives youth an opportunity to showcase their hard work with animals and in other agricultural areas.

This year’s fair in Madera features some big names in the music industry such as Gary Allen, Kool and the Gang and Eddie Money. The concerts add to the already busy schedule that the event includes. All concerts are free to enter with an admission ticket to the Madera Fair.

The general admission for adults (13 years and older) is $10 at the gate. Tickets for senior citizens and children (aged 6 to 12) cost $5 and children five and under receive free admission.

Freshman and former 4-H member Brayden Iest has attended the Madera Fair several times, and looks forward to attending this year as a spectator rather than a 4-H member.

“I got to work along with my cousins when I was in 4-H, which was really fun,” Iest said. “It was a lot of work though, cleaning up after the cows and getting ready to show them. I can’t be in 4-H this year because it would interfere with my high school schedule. It would be to hard to get my homework done and still go to the fair every morning.”

While the Madera Fair is to far for many students to visit, many FC students attend the Caruthers Fair, which will be held this year on Sept. 27-30. Alina Davila, ’19, attends the Caruthers every year as a part of her family’s tradition. Two of Davila’s older sisters have been awarded ‘Fair Queen’ in previous years.

“I am looking forward to the Caruthers Fair this year because it is a way to come together as a community and to enjoy the company of your friends and family,” Davila said. “I plan on, hopefully, running for Fair Queen next year. I’ve grown up in Caruthers ever since I was little, and I have always looked forward to fair season.”

Alumni and last year’s Caruther’s Fair Queen, Juliet Davila, ’17, plans on giving a speech at the event this year. She plans on speaking about how the fair has been a part of her life since she was young and about the honor of representing the town this past year.

The Big Fresno Fair, another event that is sure to attract many throughout the community, is scheduled to take place on Oct. 4-15. The event is known for being one of the largest county fairs in the Central Valley and features many vendors, rides and musicians.

Ashley Zamarripa, ’19, recalls memories from the Big Fresno Fair and hopes to visit again this year.

“I have been to the Big Fresno Fair a few times before,” Zamarripa said. “My favorite part about going to the fair is all of the different kinds of food they sell. I remember going to the fair with my school when I was younger and looking at all of the cool exhibits.”

For more articles, read Hume Lake annual fundraiser promotes community.

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