It’s Fresno State Day at the Big Fresno Fair (Wednesday, Oct. 13), giving fairgoers a taste – figuratively and literally – of the central San Joaquin Valley’s premier regional university, which is its Centennial through May.

The fair celebration also is an invitation to the entire community to come to campus on Saturday, Oct. 16, for California State University, Fresno’s Centennial Homecoming.

Included will be the Tailgate of the Century (a giant picnic in the Peace Garden from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.), a parade through campus with 60 entries (3 p.m.) and the football game between the Bulldogs and New Mexico State (7:30 p.m. kickoff) at Bulldog Stadium.

At the fair, the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market stand offers fresh produce, ready to eat at the new Fair Farmers Market. Students also are serving samples of award-winning Fresno State ice cream.

Old Aggie — a 1939 pickup truck that has become the “mascot” of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology – is on display in the Agriculture building.

The Farmers Market is an educational attraction showcasing of such Valley produce as grapes, garlic, lemons, plums, peaches, walnuts, pistachios and raisins. There’s an entomology exhibit with ladybugs, butterflies and larva.

The market is north of the livestock barns and across from the wine garden, where students are pouring Fresno State Winery vintages. Viticulture and enology students and faculty are available to discuss the wines.

As part of the university’s fair day, Athletics mascot Timeout and Fresno State cheerleaders will be on the fairground from 4 to 5 p.m.; and a Centennial booth is open at the Butler Avenue gate to provide information on events celebrating the university’s first 100 years.

Fresno State scarecrows are found throughout the grounds, while Bulldog paw prints mark exhibits or entries connected to the university.

Other Fresno State Day attractions:

  • Fresno READS (Junior Exhibit Hall) – Students provide books to school age children and make crafts with them.
  • Photography presentations (11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Fine Arts and Photography Building) – Art and design professor Joan Sharma offers information on student book projects.
  • Floriculture (3 p.m., Greenhouse in Floriculture Pavilion) – Elisa Valdez, Fresno State floral manager, demonstrates her take on fresh flower arrangement contest themes.
  • Worm composting demonstration (1, 3 and 5 p.m., Greenhouse) – Dr. Sajeemas “Mint” Pasakdee, a Fresno State soil scientist/agronomist, presents hands‐on workshop and teaches folks how to construct a simple worm‐box.

The fair ends Sunday, Oct. 17.

Related links: