The Big Fresno Fair

Shopping: vendor items are cheap in quality but the prices were outrageously high.Food: healthier variety options would be nice, seemed like everything was fried foods and while yes it is a fair it would still be nice to have some healthier options for folksEntertainment: didn't seem like a lot of good entertainment this year in 2024, felt like the Wish or Temu versions of 'things to do'.

Always a fun time and we look forward to the Big Fresno Fair each year. We always enjoy the jumbo corn dogs and love visiting the many vendors and exhibits that are displayed. My daughter loves the rides and could be there all day with her friends. It does get busy in the evenings and sometimes fights break out. So, we usually feel more safe going early morning/afternoon. Also, it's usually less crowded. If you buy the tickets and ride wristbands at Savemart, you will save time and money. The lines can get long entering into the fair. Can't wait for next year!

It's a yearly family event for us every year. The food selection is great, everything from corn dogs, tacos, deep fried everything and of course you can't leave without having a cinnamon roll. We loved the new pop culture exhibit that had video games to play and a place to cool off. The carnival games had a bigger selection this year. Hitting a concert or 2 is always a blast as well. I love that there is a little bit of everything to satisfy and keep everyone entertained.

I hate when people say The Fresno Fair is hood and they are afraid. I believe places are what you make of it. I grew up going to The Minnesota State Fair, the second biggest fair in the states besides Texas. When I moved back to Fresno as a teen and when I was a young adult, I yearned to be with someone who would bring me to the fair. Now, I have my husband and happy I got to enter my pups in the dog derby this year. I was very blessed this year of 2023 to receive a few free tickets from work. I also received free tickets for entering my dogs into the dog derby so I got to bless others. Thank goodness for free entry because fair food is expensive! I was not very blessed with my physical health because I've been dealing with a bad sprained ankle since July and since the electric scooters were $70, I walked around with my cam boot. I mainly stayed near the grand stand and Chance entrance. I loved that we were able to bring our dogs on this day and wish I would have been able to walk more, especially to the carnival rides area or to cuter places for pics, but we made due and did what we could. We had high expectations for my dog, Saint in the derby and low expectations for my dog, Dude. This was our first year and when asking around, no one knew where the registration is. It is at the far end of the stadium. During our first heat with my dog, Dude who came in second, they allowed my husband to have our Chihuahua, Saint. During Saint's heat, the judge did not allow my husband to have Dude. However, the judge did not allow my husband to have Dude and a fair worker took Dude. While Saint was running towards my husband until he noticed his brother was with a stranger and got distracted and ran to his brother instead which we felt cheated Saint a little. My husband who is actually an introvert and does not say much, lets them know that the rule states "You may use snacks, squeaky toys, etc. to coax your dogs. Loud noisemakers, live animals other than dogs, and anything deemed to be disruptive to other dogs will not be permitted. LIVE ANIMALS OTHER THAN DOGS will not be permitted." I've added a photo with a highlight of the bylaws. Other than that, Dude's winning of $10 did pay for half of his turkey leg and Saint's overalls were a hit. My husband and I ended with cinnamon rolls and headed on home. Overall, we had a fun time with the dogs. We will go again next year and hopefully, I will be able to walk the dogs more around the fair. The boys are knocked out tonight.

I give the fair a four , more for nostalgia than anything. I've been going since I was a kid and now I get to take my kids. I do feel like it's a bit over priced for what it is but we love the livestock area with all the 4H kids. I am bummed they don't do the quilting and baking area but my older kids love that it's now a gaming and anime area. There is always lots of food! Always get a cinnamon roll (the best). Corn dog wasn't bad but it will set you back $8 just for a corn dog. Love the art building another favorite. Plus the museum's you can check out . The rides are iffy and not something we really part take in anymore, plus it can just be so expensive around $35 for a wrist band. Also if you are parking in any of the official fair parking it's about $10.

The only thing that made this fair worth attending was the freeze dried candy. I remember the fair having a variety of vendors but all I saw this time around was the same stuff offered at every booth.

It's a large fair, the fourth largest in California. Lots of parking and it's well monitored, in and out. Same with restrooms. The crew takes very good care of the facilities. The 2022 fair is very commercialized. The National Guard Armory is no longer home economics but now pop culture with anime and half of the building dedicated to gaming stations. It will appeal to a younger generation, which I'm sure is the whole idea. We did not get down to the midway as the rides do not open until 3 pm on weekdays, and our group was tired and ready to head home, having arrived as gates opened at 10 am. There is lots to see and do.Attending a fair, anywhere, costs lots of money, so be prepared.

Bands this year stink. No classic rock ..bah! Not going. Not everyone is into country or other stuff. Not saying that their music is bad. Just why leave out rock, or classic rock? Really bummed.

trashy fair game vendors lied about prizes one lady tried to make us spend over $30 for a trashy dollar store prize and the manager said that she doesn't speak english when she was talking fluent english to other people overall My opinion is please do not go to the big Fresno fair

Try the candy at the candy booths very nice people love the candy apples.Amazing service !