Big Fresno Fairgrounds

The Big Fresno Fair is the largest annual event in the Central Valley, attracting more than 600,000 people each October during its two-week run featuring exhibits, a livestock show, live horse racing, musical entertainment, educational programs and more. The Fair provides a link between urban and rural California, serving as a tool in educating Valley residents on the region's rich agricultural industry who might have otherwise not understood the importance or vastness of this commerce on the region. The mission of The Big Fresno Fair is to "Educate, Celebrate and Have Fun."

In addition to being the site of the annual Fair, the Fresno Fairgrounds serves as a year-round rental facility that spans 165 acres held under a 50-year lease with the County of Fresno. The Fresno Fairgrounds hosts more than 250 annual events such as conventions, trade shows and banquets located in Fresno, California.

Annually more than 1.5 million people visit the Fresno Fairgrounds through The Big Fresno Fair event, weekly satellite wagering and the 250+ interim events. This number continues to increase each year as the popularity of The Big Fresno Fair and the Fresno Fairgrounds as a rental facility continues to grow, in part due to $14 million in capital improvements completed over the past decade.

The Big Fresno Fair, founded in 1884, is the fifth-largest fair in the State of California. The Big Fresno Fair (District) represents the 21st District Agricultural Association, an entity of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Division of Fairs & Expositions. According to an independent report from 2002, The Big Fresno Fair contributes more than $68.6 million in economic impact to Fresno County annually.

The district is self-funded through business operations and generous community contributions; it does not receive any funding from the State for operations. The district's budget is managed by CEO John Alkire, administrative management and staff, and is overseen by a nine-member Board appointed by the Governor's office. The district derives its annual income from three main sources: the annual Big Fresno Fair, weekly satellite wagering and interim events. The largest interim events include the weekly swap meet, the annual Hmong International New Year celebration, and the Fresno Home and Garden Show in March.

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Wikipedia