California’s largest free gate fair returns, 88th year

This year the 88th annual Caruthers Fair runs from Sept. 27-30. Caruthers Fair is the largest free gate fair in California and it includes live music, an abundance of food, a carnival, junior livestock showing, rides and nightly prize drawings.

The theme for this year’s fair is ‘Barn and Raised in the USA.’ The Caruthers Fair District Association is raising funds to refurbish their large commercial building they call The Barn. Inside The Barn, they host harvest socials, junior livestock shows and many other different events. The Caruthers Fair District is accepting donations at their Rebuild the Barn website.

Last fair, alumna Juliette Davila, ’17, won the fair queen title. The queen is chosen by the contestant that sells the most raffle tickets for nightly raffles. Juliette currently is attending Fresno State and is majoring in psychology.

“It was an amazing experience,” Davila said. “I’ve been going to the fair all my life so to be able to be apart of it in such a significant way meant a lot to me. I had to spend the whole summer and the beginning of my senior year selling raffle tickets to absolutely everyone I came across. The fair has a huge variety of food there and it’s all great. Plus the fair is also like a reunion for everyone who’s been to or lived in Caruthers so I can reconnect with old friends and family. ”

Juliette Davila’s younger sister, Alina Davila, ’19, currently attends FC. She shares how she and her family involve themselves in the fair. The Davila family currently lives in Caruthers.

“My oldest sister and older sister (Juliette) both ran for queen and both won,” Alina said. “We’ve lived in Caruthers for nine years and always help in it; we volunteer in helping with the food booths. It is awesome that my sisters work so hard and won the queen title.

“My favorite part of the fair is hanging out with my friends and the awesome food,” Alina continued. “The fair is small so we’re all able to see everyone we know and catch up with people.”

Besides the Caruthers Fair, there are many other activities happening around the Central Valley, including The Big Fresno Fair, opens its gates at 11 a.m., Oct. 4, and lasts until midnight, Oct. 15. The fair is located at the Fresno Fair Grounds. The fair includes educational programs, carnival games, live concerts and entertainment. Additionally, you can visit museums,  livestock showings and agricultural buildings.

The carnival includes games, rides and food. This year artists feature Jeremy Camp, Big Daddy Weave and country singer Chris Young, all performing at the Paul Paul Theater. Food at the fair will range from cinnamon rolls to tri-tip sandwiches. On the first day of the fair, students with a 4.0 GPA and above earn free admission for the fair and a chance to win free prizes from iPads to scholarship money.

To see the full prices and calendar of events of the Caruthers fair, check out their website.

For more articles, read EDITORIAL: Resist apathetic tendencies toward tragedy. For more news articles, read Remembering a day of infamy.

This author can be reached via email: Carston Saelzler.