The 2015 Big Fresno Fair provides a time for friends and family to enjoy the diverse culture of Fresno. The variety of exhibits, rides and foods all contribute to the culture and vibe of the Fresno Fair, Oct. 7-18.
According to the Big Fresno Fair, attendance was up this year to just over 608,000 people during the 12-day run.
Erin Magdaleno owns a three generational mobile bakery called Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls. The bakery travels to 40 fairs and special events to make cinnamon rolls for the masses and have appeared on Food Network. The Big Fresno Fair is the best event Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls travels to each year.
“Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls is a mobile bakery that travels to forty fairs and special events to make cinnamon rolls for the masses,” Magdaleno said. “I love the Fresno Fair, the people here are very supportive and they love cinnamon rolls. The gem and mineral building here is really awesome. You can cut open your own geodes and I like taking my kids there.
Anne Beach is the superintendent of the Junior Arts exhibit at the Big Fresno Fair. When Beach gets a chance, she enjoys the fair’s corndogs and animal exhibits.
“I really love working at the junior exhibits,” Beach said. “The junior arts exhibit brings in about 4,000 entries every year. We start setting up the displays around Labor Day. My favorite fair food is corn dogs. I also love to see the animal exhibits at the fair.”
Campus student Bryce Foshee, ‘21, submitted a Lego model jet to the junior art exhibit. Although, he did not intend for his model jet to send a message to onlookers, he is proud of his handy work. It was difficult starting the build, but it was easier after Foshee finished the frame of the jet.
I am president of the club, but I am also in charge of the jewelry booth. We have workshops during the year to string the jewelry, and we sell them to provide the scholarships for our geology students. This group is the nicest, warmest group of all and our members make everything we present in the Rocks and Minerals Building. — Irene Sudaria, president of the Fresno Gem and Mineral Club
“I submitted a Lego model of a fighter jet,” Foshee said. “It was difficult building the model at first, but after I built the frame it was pretty easy. I think it looks really cool, but I did not intend for the model to send any specific message to its viewers.”
A three year veteran of the geode booth John McLean enjoys selling geodes to the attenders of the fair. McLean is already looking forward to next years fair. Mclean thoroughly enjoys working in the gem and mineral building.
“I really enjoy working for the geode booth in the rocks and minerals building,” McLean said. “We educate the community in the arts of lapidary and geology. We have about 200 club members and we are growing. My favorite fair food is the shish kebab and of course my favorite exhibit is the rocks and minerals building.”
The president of the Fresno Gem and Mineral Club Irene Sudaria has been a member for four and a half years. Sudaria has had a lot of fun volunteering for the club for the four years she has done it. Sudaria has not had time to explore the rest of the fair due to her duties for the club.
“I am president of the club, but I am also in charge of the jewelry booth,” Sudaria said. “We have workshops during the year to string the jewelry, and we sell them to provide the scholarships for our geology students. This group is the nicest, warmest group of all and our members make everything we present in the Rocks and Minerals Building.”
The Big Fresno Fair has a diverse culture that is great for anyone looking for adventure. It represents the great and friendly community of Fresno.
This writer can be reached via Twitter @_Samuel_Cross_ and via email: Samuel Cross.
