The Big Fresno Fair opens Wednesday. Are you ready?

Lauri King suspects there are people who haven’t been to The Big Fresno Fair in several years – those who wouldn’t know about the $16 million the fair has put into capital improvements in the last decade or heard about the new Fresno County Historical Museum. There are people who might not realize the full scope of the entertainment options included in the ticket price each year, says King, the fair’s deputy manager.

“It can be overwhelming,” she says.

The fair kicks off its 12-day run Wednesday, Oct. 7, so The Bee put together some advice for getting the most out of your fair experience.

Make a plan

King is a mother of three and, as such, a serial planner. She suggests starting with a list of what you’d like to see at the fair, whether it’s the horse races, concerts at the Paul Paul Theater, or one of the many attractions presented free with fair admission.

This year, that includes the BMX Pros trick team, which performs high-flying stunts on a half-pipe ramp surrounded by bleacher seating. The team will run shows at 12:30, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30, 3:30 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays.

The avian performers of the Pollywood Bird Show have been featured on “Animal Planet’s Pet Star,” “The Tonight Show” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” You can see them at the fair, at noon, 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Of course, King’s pick would be the Wild West Turkey Stampede, in which a flock of wild turkeys run laps around a racetrack chasing a remote-controlled truck filled with turkey treats. It is a hilarious “must-see” display hosted by one of the funniest emcees, King says. Show times are: 1:30, 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 12:30, 4, and 8:30 p.m. each weekend.

Use the app

One easy way to plan ahead is to use the fair’s iPhone app.

The app debuted last year and has been updated for 2015. It includes up-to-date information on all of the fair’s entertainment and savings opportunities, plus a way to pre-purchase tickets from your phone.

But the app might be best for fair food fans, like King.

“I make a list of all the food I have to eat during the fair,” she says.

The app helps by offering an interactive map with locations to each of the fair’s 68 food and drink vendors, so you won’t get lost looking for your favorite fair food. This year that includes deep-fried peanut butter (or just regular old deep-fried butter. Both are new this year), cinnamon roll sundaes, Froot Loops popcorn, sweet corn ice cream or any number of pies (and gluten-free muffins) from Willamette Valley Pie Co., which King describes as “the best pie I’ve ever had.”

Because not everyone is comfortable navigating the app store, there is a downloadable map available on the fair’s website.

Check for savings

The fair prides itself on being an affordable entertainment option for the entire family. Admission prices are $10, or $7 for kids, seniors and military.

That’s if you pay the full admission price.

If you plan ahead, you can take advantage of a number of savings options, King says. There are $30 season passes available now, and special $2-off pre-sale admission tickets available through Oct. 6 at Save Mart and FoodMaxx locations. (This story has been updated to correct information on discounted tickets at Save Mart and FoodMaxx locations).

Even during the fair’s run, six of the 12 days feature special discount tickets, including $1 Wednesday Mania (Oct. 7) and Fans & Followers Day (Oct. 8), with free tickets for fair Facebook fans and Twitter followers.

Seniors (those age 62 and older) and those with disabilities get in for free on Oct. 12 on Senior and Special Interest Day.

Children under 12 can get in free (with a paid adult admission) for Kids’ Day, Wednesday, Oct. 13. It’s also $2 Carnival Ride Wednesday.

Les Schwab is offering $2-off vouchers, redeemable Tuesday, Oct. 13. Stop into any participating Central Valley Les Schwab tire store to pick one up.

Save Mart and FoodMaxx’ “Feed the Need” Community Food Drive happens Thursday, Oct. 15, which means there is free admission for those who donate five or more canned food items.

“These are ways that you can not only save, but you can help someone in the process,” King says.

This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 9:00 PM with the headline "The Big Fresno Fair opens Wednesday. Are you ready?."