What’s new at the Big Fresno Fair and how to save money on tickets

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The Big Fresno Fair kicked off Wednesday, featuring many new attractions and snacks.

“Big times are back at the Big Fresno Fair,” Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer announced Wednesday morning.

Organizers expect more than 500,000 people at this year’s fair, and they say they will need way more than one night to see everything.

“We have a lot of new things. We have sea lions that you can see and take a picture with, Jurassic Adventure, and Kids Town, we’ve got a candy maze,” fair spokesperson German Amezcua said.

Readers may notice ‘horse racing’ is not on Amezcua’s list.

Racing has been a Fresno County tradition since 1884, but the California Horse Racing Board denied the fair’s request for 2025.

However, in the race’s absence, organizers decided to host a two-day rodeo instead. That rodeo is on Friday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 4.

Also new this year is the tres leches cinnamon roll. Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls owner Dara Baldwin says, “We’re taking two classics and kind of combining them. It was kind of a natural.”

She poured tres leches over a cinnamon roll, added whipped cream, “And then the piloncillo and a little bit of the caramel. So we’re taking two classics and mushing them together, and we think we came up with a winner.”

Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez says he ate twelve of their cinnamon rolls last year and plans to break his record this year.

Wednesday’s admission was only $5 for adults, but Amezcua says there are many ways to save money on the other days as well.

“Kids under five are free every day. You can go to Save More in Food Max and get tickets at a discount. You can go to Riley Auto Parts and get a season pass so you can come every single day at the fair for only $40,” Amezcua said.

He says there are many ways to enjoy the fair on a budget for those who go the extra mile to find discounted tickets.