Free-gate Caruthers fair gets rolling again

The Caruthers District Fair, which bills itself as California’s largest free-gate fair, opened for a four-day run on Wednesday.

The first fair was held in 1923 and has been an autumn tradition every year except for a break during World War II. It traditionally ends on Saturday night, leaving Sunday free for church (and cleanup).

The fair is funded primarily by the fair’s queen contestants – eight this year – who sell raffle tickets for a grand prize of a new car and support from the community. Many volunteers help set up and keep the fair running. This year’s grand marshals, Herluf and Sharon Hansen, are longtime Caruthers-area farmers and fair supporters who just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

The fair always includes farm equipment and home arts exhibits, a junior livestock show, carnival rides, motorcycle and quad races, music acts and food, including a row of fundraiser booths manned by area groups serving anything from full meals of tri-tip and spaghetti to homemade pies and cakes.

The crowning of the queen and the “Small Town Big Fun” parade is 10 a.m. Saturday.

Details: 559-864-3768, caruthersfair.com

This story was originally published September 30, 2015 at 7:45 PM with the headline "Free-gate Caruthers fair gets rolling again."