In the December of 1882 a group of businessmen met to bring the community together. The first Fresno Fair in 1884 was a mix of agriculture, horse racing, produce displays, animals and betting. After reaching its peak in the 1920’s the fairground took a turn for the worse after it became a holding cell for the Japanese immigrants living in America. While this is a sad memory, it is none the less true and is an honest representation of a dark time in American history. Over the years the original idea of the fair has changed and been manipulated to become the Big Fresno Fair we know today.

The first day of the fair arrived on Oct. 7. This tradition of education and community began again and hopefully will continue on through the years. This attraction has transformed over the years from betting and horse racing to a full-fledged carnival which amazes crowds and brings on an average of 550,000 people per year.

You walk into the fairgrounds and you are immediately accosted with smells, fantastic visions of color and new experiences. The founders original intentions of bringing the community together have been exceeded by even becoming a place of education for children. During the week, elementary students visited the fair as a part of an educational program which the fair set up. Hundreds of third graders from around the valley visited the fair for a learning experience which would reinforce what they have been learning about all year long.

Third grade teacher, Cheri Frasier, took her class on the annual trip to the fair which serves as a learning experience and time to take a trip out of the class to learn more about the Fresno community.

“A large part of the trip is for the kids to learn about their city, local history, agriculture, and economy,” Frasier said. “We learn about all of our local history so they’re prepared for fourth grade. There are four to six specific days that are called ‘educational program days’ and during these days hundreds of third grade boys and girls from all across the valley get the chance to learn outside of the classroom. One of my favorite places is Rancheria Park. They built a huge area that has cat fishing, gold mining and several other things that kids can do to experience what life was like in the early stages of the Fresno community.

There are all kinds of things for the kids to do,” Frasier said. “They’re on a scavenger hunt throughout the day so that as they go throughout all the buildings they learn and discover new things. Gems and mineral building is always at the top of the list and this year they had a building on Egypt which was highly popular.

This opportunity is only a small part of what the fair provides to the people of the San Joaquin Valley. Along with providing for the children a place to learn, it gives a chance for people of every age an opportunity to show off their creativity. Home Economics and Art teacher Sharon Scharf has entered into numerous competitions and has won several awards.

“I have entered art in both the Fine Arts building as well as the Home Arts building,” Scharf said. “The Fine Arts building is a juried show and it is highly competitive.  The best I have done in that building was an honorable mention.  I’ve won firsts, seconds and thirds in Home Arts and a Best of Show in recycled art.  Of all of those, I cherish that honorable mention in Fine Arts due to the competitive nature of that show.  I enter art, sewing and knitting every year into the fair to make myself “honest” as a teacher in those disciplines!”

Art and crafts inspector, Cathy Poindexter has been a judge for the past 6 years and has enjoyed her time as she has been given the chance to give back to the community.

“I was first introduced to the position by a friend,” Poindexter said. “I judged the baked goods. flowers, and then I fill in for the judges who weren’t able to make it to the time where the objects are being judged. My favorite part of this is the baked goods and canning, this is because it is done by special ed children and it just amazes me at what they can make.

Along with the fine arts department, the fair provides the sport of horse racing. This event is one of the most loved and enjoyed activities and has been apart of the fair ever since its creation. Fresno State junior, Madison Allington, has been attending this event for as long as she can remember.

“I go to the fair at least once a year with my dad to watch the horse races,” Allington said. “My dad’s neighbor and long time family friend is on the board of directors for the horse racing at the Fresno Fair especially when he found out about my love for horses and racing… Ever since I was 13, he has generously shared his annual seats with us. A fun part of this event is to bet, its a once a year thing and we splurge a little. However my favorite part about the horse races is the adrenaline rush you get while watching a race you have bet on. I’ve grown up around livestock, and horses have always been very close to my heart. You truly dont know how much power and speed an animal possesses until you’ve observed it up close and personal.”

Due to the timing of homecoming week, students found themselves attending the fair to relieve stress and experience something new. Senior Michael Fu went to the fair to relieve stress and to experience something new.

“I had never been to the fair before,” Fu said. “However I went because I just needed a break from the chaos of homecoming week. It was cool seeing all of the interesting events which the fair provides to the people of the San Joaquin valley. It allows people to experience and see things which would normally never be seen by someone from the the Central Valley.”

Along with horse racing and the arts, live entertainment is provided in the evening to all who wish to listen and watch. The concerts include big name artists and comedians such as, Nelly, The Band Perry, Lecrae, 2 Chainz, Gloria Trevi, Jeff Foxworthy, and Gabriel Iglesias. These big name artist traveled to the Fresno Fair to add to the atmosphere, giving the spectators a show to remember.

The Big Fresno Fair has been apart of the lives of those living in the San Joaquin valley for the past 132 years, and in each of these years, it has influenced the lives of those who attended, relieving stress, facilitating the growth of children and many others. Hopefully this tradition will continue on throughout the years and become an integral part of the San Joaquin Valley.

The video below contains footage that Josh Carter captured at the Big Fresno Fair and the many activities, Oct. 17, 2015.