Performers bring the Big Fresno Fair to Valley Children’s Hospital

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A group of performers brought the magic of the Big Fresno Fair right to Valley Children’s Hospital Tuesday.

Lanky the Clown has a long history of visiting the hospital with the fair, but he says the kids’ giggles never get old.

“The opportunity for the kids who are coming here for all kinds of treatment and programs…seeing them having a moment of just joy, who can’t enjoy that,” Lanky said.

He and other performers walked room-to-room, visiting sick patients and performing magic tricks.

Unlike his own, the kids’ grins did not have to be painted on.

“Things out of their control are happening to them. And this is a moment they get to regain that control,” Lanky said.

After they visited the kids who could not leave their rooms, they put on a show in the lobby for the entire hospital. 10-year-old Maverick says he is spending several days in the hospital, so the show was a welcome surprise.

“It was all pretty good,” Maverick said. “It was fun. I’ll say that.”

18-year-old Mariah is also staying overnight.

“It was really fun because I’ve never gotten to experience the Fresno Fair before,” Mariah said. 

Lanky says the show is not just for the kids.

“Mom, you can see it in her eyes with her child not in the greatest condition, laughing, smiling – It just changed their whole day,” Lanky said.

Mariah says her favorite act was the juggler, but, in some ways, every family at Valley Children’s is juggling a lot.

However, on Tuesday, they had a chance to forget.