Attracting Valley residents with numerous exhibits on agriculture and art, the Big Fresno Fair, the fifth-largest fair in California, celebrated its 127th anniversary in downtown Fresno, Oct. 6-17.
Although the fair has various games, rides and displays for residents to visit and participate in, agriculture and farming stand out as key features for the Central Valley.
Unlike most campus students, junior Darlene Idsinga has entered heifers into the fair’s livestock arena for the last five years. Idsinga not only competes with her cows but also sells them to dairy farmers.
“I show heifers, which are cows that are pregnant,” Idsinga said. “I compete in the showmanship and class competitions. Not only do I compete, but I also sell the cows for milk production. When someone buys a heifer, they also get the calf.”
Since Idsinga has been actively preparing her cows for the fair, she received recognition from local foundations for her dedication.
“This year I got 6th out of 12 in class, and 9th in showmanship,” Idsinga said. “I also got a $100 scholarship from the Clovis Rodeo [Association]. I will use it for college, so I put it in the account where I put all of my money from selling.”
Like Idsinga, Kerman High School freshman Cortney Herrick has entered into the Fresno Fair for the past five years. This year Herrick raised swine instead of lambs, which she had done for the past four years.
“My family doesn’t own animals, but I’m involved in 4H and FFA,” Herrick said. “I’m the president of my 4H group, and I enjoy it for the activities; but FFA is better at preparing students for raising animals. I enjoy raising animals for the fact that I go and make myself proud.”
Although the fair has a wide range of competition and observers, the size does not bother Herrick. Instead, she enjoys touring the various exhibits, she said.
“Fresno Fair is big and has a large ag [agricultural exhibit], so you can walk around and see everyone else’s animals,” Herrick said. “I don’t feel intimidated when walking around because I think of it as a friendly competition. I go out and have fun.”
Even though Idsinga has attended the fair for multiple years, she still learns new and interesting facts about displaying animals when she competes, she said.
“I learned this year that when you show cows that are pregnant, you place them a certain way so the judges can see their utters,” Idsinga said. “And when cows just have their baby, you place them the opposite way, so that was interesting.”
Although being involved in the fair takes work, many participants create fond memories, Idsinga said.
“My favorite memory of the fair was when I was about 10 or 11,” Idsinga said. “I got grand champion with my red and white calf.”
For more information, read the Oct. 7, 2009, article, Fresno Fair facilitates art, livestock competitions. For more information on fair activities, read the Oct. 25 article, Chalk-drawing encourages artistic expression.
