After 12 packed days, the Big Fresno Fair wrapped up a successful 139th year on Sunday.
It was the first under the sole stewardship of new CEO Lauri King, who served as the co-CEO for last year’s event as the fair bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the finale, the fair released a bevy of data and numbers showing its wide reach throughout Fresno County and the Central Valley and economic impact.
The fair’s social media pages reached over 27 million impressions over the 12-day span with around 140,000 followers on all platforms.
More than 2,500 animals were exhibited this year, many of which came from the 1,000-plus 4-H and FFA students who exhibited their animals.
806 animals were put up for auction at three livestock sales, which grossed more than $1.2 million in fundraisers.
The Cow Palace Milking Demonstrations even resulted in 910 gallons of milk collected.
For the first time since 2019, the Fair Education Program brought Fresno County elementary students to the fair for free.
More than 20,000 students, teachers and chaperones attended the fair and toured the fairgrounds, visiting the exhibits to learn about agriculture and livestock.
Over in the agriculture building, 54 different varieties of grapes were judged, and 24,000 bees were displayed as part of the Central Valley Bee keepers exhibit.
The Gem and Mineral Exhibit saw 600 pounds of polished rock handed out to children and $6,400 in scholarships awarded to Fresno State and Fresno City College geology students.
The Central California SPCA hosted an adoption clinic this year and adopted out 30 dogs, 10 cats, and four guinea pigs.
The famed Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls, which has been in business for 42 years, used over 32,000 pounds of flour, 10,000 pounds of cinnamon and sugar, 6,750 pounds of cream cheese, 14.5 million pounds of butter, 1,500 pounds of pecans and 350 pounds of coffee.
Fabulous Fanny’s Funnel Cakes used over 2,500 pounds of fresh strawberries as the most popular funnel cake was strawberries and whipped cream.
Total attendance for the 2022 Big Fresno Fair is still being calculated after the 12-day run.
