The Big Fresno Fair ... with a Clovis flair
It may be the Big Fresno Fair, but expect Clovis to have a big presence at this year’s edition of the fall favorite.
The fair, which opens Oct. 7 and runs through Oct. 18 at the Fresno Fairgrounds, will include a number of Clovis-based exhibitors, businesses and performing groups.
How many? Well, more than 1,400 entries in the fair’s competitive exhibits come from individuals from Clovis.
The city will also be well-represented in its entertainment, vendor and horse racing lineups as well.
The Joe Lenigan Big Band will perform in the Wine Garden at 4 p.m. on Oct. 12. The nine-piece band, which includes two singers, will perform a variety of recognizable music from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Peggy Lee. “Guests will recognize all of our musical repertoire,” says Lenigan. “Feel free to come and dance.”
If you’d rather leave dancing to the dancers, several local groups will take the stage during the fair’s two-week run. Elena Giroux says the Clovis Senior Center Line Dancers, under the direction of Jim Ray, have been busy rehearsing for their Oct. 12 perfomance. The group, which performs at the fair every year, plans to debut a new, upbeat dance called “Kick it Up.” Look for them at the Pavilion Stage at 10 a.m.
Mestizos del Valle, a folklorico dance group, will perfom at 5 p.m. on Oct. 17. Eli Liman, who directs the group’s beginning dancers, said their yearly fair performance is an opportunity for the group’s three levels of dancers — in particular their beginning group of children aged 5-10 — to gain performing experience and show off new material.
Other Clovis-based performers include singer Ana Laura Galvez (6 p.m., Oct. 18), singer Josh Bravo (11 a.m., Oct. 12), Clovis Academy Gymdandies (6 p.m., Oct. 15) and Valley Associated Square Dancers (1:30 p.m., Oct. 18.)
Horse racing is always a big draw at the fair. On Monday, Oct. 12, the City of Clovis will be honored with the first race of the day, named after the city, at 1:15 p.m. And, once again, Clovis businessman Bill Hedrick’s race horses will be competing in live racing events in the Brian I. Tatarian Grandstand.
October is a busy time of year for members of the city’s three 4-H clubs. Over in the Livestock Pavilion, 35 children and teens will showcase their animals, said 4-H Community Club Coordinator Elizabeth Elizondo. “The goal when they enter is to be a part of the auction,” she added. The clubs also participate in other competitive exhibits throughout the fair; this year 190 of the competitive entries come from 4-H members.
If the day turns out to be a scorcher, you can cool off and support local businesses at the same time. The freshly-squeezed and hand shaken lemon, lime and orange Texas Twister drink is “a great alternative to the everyday standard lemonade,” says concession owner Kim Sanders.
Sanders also owns and operates A Taste of Paradise shave ice concession. The Hawaiian-style treat sits atop a scoop of ice cream and can be customized with up to three gourmet flavors before being topped with a cap of sweetened cream. “It’s the true Hawaiian way to eat shave ice,” she says. Look for Texas Twister Drinks and A Taste of Paradise on the south side of the Industry Commerce building.
Fruit Caboose will also return to the fair with its soft serve ice cream and yogurt, says owner David Holmes. If it’s a cooler night, he recommends trying their hot fudge sundae — those always sell well on cool evenings. If you’re in the mood for a more savory treat, they also offer chocolate-dipped fair favorites like pickles and bacon.
The Big Fresno Fair may lie within Fresno’s boundaries, but it’s still a hometown favorite for Clovis residents. Holmes, who spends the summer traveling throughout the fair circuit with his wife Susan, says he looks forward to October: “It’s nice to come to the Fresno Fair and be home again.”
This story was originally published October 2, 2015 at 10:39 AM with the headline "The Big Fresno Fair ... with a Clovis flair."