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FRESNO FAIR 2011

OCT. 5 OCT. 16

Big changes heading into the Fresno Fair

Excitement building over new features of 72-year-old fair
By Alex Tavlian / The Daily Dues

It's that time of year again. The time when Fresnans look toward Chance Avenue for fun, exhibits, music performances, horse races and deep-fried foods in four words: The Big Fresno Fair. I spent an hour touring the Big Fresno Fairgrounds and here's what Fresno can look forward to over the next few weeks.

THE

MAJOR CHANGES FOR THE CARNIVAL If you were to drive by the fairgrounds, you'd likely see an empty lot where a massive carnival should be. That's because most of the rides that will be operated at the Big Fresno Fair are still at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar and the OC Fair in Costa Mesa.

Even before the rides get to Fresno, there are still some interesting bits of news. Most notably, the Kiddie Carnival (or just the Kiddie Rides) will be located on the in-eld of the horse racing track, rather than being in the Carnival area next to the underground tunnel connecting the in-eld parking from the fairgrounds.

MORE ON PAGE 5.

FRESNO FAIR PREVIEW

Inside The Big Fresno Fair Preview

INSIDE THE FRESNO FAIR PREVIEW

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BIG CHANGES HEADING INTO FRESNO FAIR - FEAR THE BEARD (AND MUSTACHE) - THE BIG FRESNO DI$COUNTS -

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THE VITALS ON PERFORMANCES -

FRESNO FAIR PREVIEW

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FEAR THE BEARD (AND MUSTACHE)

FRESNOS FAMOUS FACIAL HAIR

THE FRESNO BEEHIVE holds Facial Hair Face-Off

By Mike Osegueda / The Fresno Beehive

combo, we're joining forces for a hairy good time we're calling the Fresno Facial Hair FaceOff.

Owners of the three best displays of facial hair (beards, mustaches, both) will win The rst day of this year's Big tickets to the ZZ Top show. Fresno Fair -- Oct. 5 -- is The best facial hair will win Fresno Bee day, and Scoopy front-row tickets -- close and the gang are going to enough to compare yourself to have a bunch of activities those famed ZZ Top beards. lined up. Wanna get it on this? Just ll We in the blogosphere out this form and you'll have a elbowed our way into their spot reserved for the meeting and had a crazy idea: competition on Oct. 6. Expect The opening night concert is to hear more about this as the from ZZ Top, so let's have an event gets closer, but for now, event honoring the best facial you might think about retiring hair in Fresno. the razor for a couple months. We ran this past our pals at Fresno Famous, they liked it. So, like a good beard-'stache This post originally appeared at FresnoBeehive.com

The Vitals What: Facial Hair Face-Off Who: The Fresno Beehive When: Wed, Oct. 5 What do I need to do? The best three owners of facial hair at the Big Fresno Fairs opening day wind up with front row tickets to the ZZ Top Concert later that night More Info? fresnobeehive.com

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THE BIG FRESNO DI$COUNTS

Were in a pretty bad economy, and even the Fair knows it. So to ensure that everyone can make their way down to the fairgrounds, the Fair is offering a ton of great discounts and free days for Valley residents. Take a look and see what special discounts you can use to cut down the cost: Save Mart Supermarkets & FoodMaxx Pre-Sale From Sept. 7 through Oct. 4, purchase fair admission tickets and Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristbands for a discounted price $2 off admission (all ages) and up to $10 off an unlimited carnival ride wristband. Season Pass Purchase a Season Pass for only $25 and visit the Fair any day you want. Season Passes will be available for purchase until October 4th. Season Passes are non-transferable and a photo ID is required for use. Purchase at (559) 650FAIR, the Fairgrounds Ticket Box Ofce or here. individual admission. Thats a 20% savings! Groups Packs are available for purchase until October 4th. Purchase at (559) 650-FAIR, the Fairgrounds Ticket Box Ofce or here. Fresno Bee Day (Wednesday, October 5th) Free admission on Fresno Bee Day from 2 p.m. 6 p.m. if youre a Big Fair Fan Club member. Not a BFF member? Then sign up at www.FresnoFair.com. Also, enjoy $1 carnival rides all day (the Fair opens at 2 p.m. this day only). Special Interest Day (Monday, October 10th) Admission is free to persons with disabilities. One chaperone is admitted for free with each person that requires assistance. Remember, gates will open early at 9 a.m. on this day only. Save Mart Supermarkets & FoodMaxx $2 Tuesday (Tuesday, October 11th) Bring a receipt from any Save Mart Supermarkets or FoodMaxx location to get $2 admission. Or join The Big Fair Fan Club at www.FresnoFair.com and receive a printable coupon via email for the same great deal! One coupon or receipt required for each ticket purchased. Offer valid only on Tuesday, October 11th. Feed the Need Community Food Drive presented by Kaiser Permanente Fresno (Thursday, October 13th) Help feed our community and get free admission to the fair. Bring 4 or more canned or nonperishable food items per person between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and receive free admission into the Fair. Food will be donated to The Salvation Army and Community Food Bank.

Eye-Q Seniors Day (Monday, October 10th) Seniors 62 and older are able to enjoy the Fair for free on Unlimited Carnival Ride Eye-Q Seniors Day presented Wristband by PG&E and Humana. Dont Buy an Unlimited Carnival Ride miss the special Seniors Wristband by Oct. 4th for only Lifestyle Expo from 9 a.m. to 1 $25 (a $10 discount off the p.m. throughout the grounds regular Fair-time price). featuring local organizations Purchase at (559) 650-FAIR, providing materials for public the Fairgrounds Ticket Box education on services geared Ofce or here. toward the senior citizen community, including Group Pack Discount healthcare, wellness and Save on admission with the nancial support. Also, dont Group Pack, which includes 20 miss the special Seniors Day adult admission tickets for contests. Remember, gates $160 ($8 each) good for any open early at 9 a.m. on this day at The Big Fresno Fair, a day only. 20% savings compared to

FRESNO FAIR PREVIEW

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CONTD FROM PAGE 1.

Fair organizers said that the move was done to allow for more space in the Carnival and to accommodate small children and strollers at the Kiddie Carnival. To get to the Kiddie Carnival, simply take the underground tunnel to the ineld. Along with a change to the kiddie side of the Carnival, the Fair also announced that it would be welcoming an old friend back to the Fresno Fair: Butler Amusements. Butler served as the amusements company running the Big Fresno Fair carnival from 1981 to 2005, until the Fair contracted with Shamrock Shows for 5 years. NEW FEATURES AT THE RACES And we mean the Horse Races. Well, the All-Alaskan Pig Races are coming back, but that's not what we're talking about. The Big Fresno Fair has added some very cool between-the-races entertainment during the race days. On Sundays, the between-race entertainment consists of Ayala's Dancing Horses.

Fresnans are looking toward Chance Avenue for fun, exhibits, music performances, horse races and deep-fried foods in four words: The Big Fresno Fair.

FOOD TO KEEP YOUR EYES, AND DROOL, ON During my hour-long tour of the Magic Kingdom, I talked to Fair Deputy Manager Stacy Rianda about some of the expectations of the fair. Then she dropped a bomb: the Tucson-based Sonoran Hot Dogs concessionaires would be selling their "hot dogs on steroids" as the Tucson Citizen called them.

On Fridays and Saturdays, local competitors, To boil it down: it's a hot dog wrapped in bacon including Fresno State's Equestrian team, will participate in a obstacle course with Poullsen jumping inside of a bolillo roll with pinto beans and cheese, chopped tomatoes and other goods horses. that you'd usually nd in a burrito. And on Saturday, October 15, the Fair will hold the Dog Derby Dash, in which locals can enter small dogs And Fresno almost missed out. According to to race for cash and prizes. Got a dog you think could Rianda, thanks to one food vendor's last-minute cancellation, the Sonoran Hot Dogs vendors "go the distance?" Enter here. were able to slip in as an easy replacement. PWNAGE AT THE FAIRGROUNDS GOTTA GO? Are you a gamer and trying to nd a reason to go to The Big Fresno Fair spent the last year the fair? Look no further than the Sports Row right renovating almost the bathrooms in most of the next door to the Carnival. exhibit buildings to make sure that they're up to standards. Fair organizers will be setting up a video game pavilion in the Sports Row next to the Carnival and Even better: there are bathrooms in every single underground tunnel to the ineld. building at the fairgrounds

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The Vitals

Events during the Big Fresno Fair

Performances at the Paul Paul Theater, Pavilion Stage and the Grounds. For a full listing of events, click here. For tickets to concerts, click here.

Performances
OCTOBER 5

King Sugar
8:30 p.m. @ Pavilion Stage
OCTOBER 9

ZZ Top
7 p.m. @ Paul Paul Theater Tickets

Los Tucanes de Tijuana

7 p.m. @ Paul Paul Theater

51 Aces
9 p.m. @ Save Mart Wine Garden
OCTOBER 6

Midnight Run
8:30 p.m. @ Pavilion Stage
OCTOBER 10

Merle Haggard
7 p.m. @ Paul Paul Theater
OCTOBER 7

The Family Stone

7 p.m. @ Paul Paul Theater

Sick Puppies
7 p.m. @ Paul Paul Theater

Central Valley Accordion Club

12:30 p.m. @ Save Mart Wine Garden
OCTOBER 11

40 Watt Hype
8:30 p.m. @ Save Mart Wine Garden
OCTOBER 8

Little Anthony & The Imperials

7 p.m. @ Paul Paul Theater

Big Time Rush

1 p.m. @ Paul Paul Theater

3 Guys Playin the Blues

8:30 p.m. @ Save Mart Wine Garden
OCTOBER 12

Miguel
7 p.m. @ Paul Paul Theater

Third Day
7 p.m. @ Paul Paul Theater
OCTOBER 13

Arabian Nights Belly Dance

5:30 p.m. @ Pavilion Stage

FRESNO FAIR PREVIEW

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The Vitals

Events during the Big Fresno Fair

Performances at the Paul Paul Theater, Pavilion Stage and the Grounds. For a full listing of events, click here. For tickets to concerts, click here. Photos (from page 5): Merle Haggard, ZZ Top and Billy Idol. Below: Third Day, Big Time Rush and Godsmack.

Billy Idol
7 p.m. @ Paul Paul Theater
OCTOBER 14

Uncle Kracker
7 p.m. @ Paul Paul Theater Opening Act: Say Swear

Local Performer Showcase

JayTee, Johnny and Vinnie - 5 p.m. @ Pavilion Stage Travis Miller - 6 p.m. @ Pavilion Stage Spell 336 - 7 p.m. @ Pavilion Stage HR7 - 8 p.m. @ Pavilion Stage Motel Drive - 9 p.m. @ Pavilion Stage Say Swear - 10 p.m. @ Pavilion Stage

Chaparral
8:30 p.m. @ Save Mart Wine Garden

The Valley Cats

8:30 p.m. @ Pavilion Stage
OCTOBER 15

Roshon Fegan
1 p.m. @ Paul Paul Theater

Godsmack
7 p.m. @ Paul Paul Theater

Ananka Belly Dance Company

2:30 p.m. @ Pavilion Stage

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