Entertainment

Big Fresno Fair Fun

by Aris Cookson

The Big Fresno Fair is a beloved annual tradition held at the beginning of October, running for 12 days of fun, food, and entertainment for family and friends. Each year, the fairgrounds open with live music, community exhibits, and attractions that showcase Fresno County’s rich agricultural heritage. Gates open in the afternoon on select weekdays and earlier on weekends, with closing times at 11:00 p.m. on most nights and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The Big Fresno Fair draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, making it one of California’s largest and most anticipated fall events.

Thrill-seekers can enjoy a variety of exciting rides such as The King XXL, Ferris Wheel, Soundwave, Wave Swinger, The Zipper, and many more. There’s also a dedicated kids’ section featuring kiddie rides and family-friendly fun. Food lovers can partake in all the classic fair favorites, including funnel cakes, deep-fried Oreos, corndogs, and lemonade, along with new and creative treats introduced each year. With its mix of tradition, excitement, and community spirit, the Big Fresno Fair continues to be a must-visit event for families and fairgoers across the Central Valley.

People all over the community love going to the Fresno Fair! Alexander Martinez said, “My favorite thing to do at the fair is going on all the rides, then walking around the markets for a while, and then going on all the rides again.” Joshua Rodriguez also said, “The shopping center was my favorite. You get introduced to many things that people offer at the fair.”

My Experience at In-N-Out

by Sofie Zuniga

When you order a meal at In-N-Out, it typically includes your choice of burger, a drink, and fries. I love In-N-Out fries because they are lightly salted or sometimes not salted at all.

They do provide salt packets for those who enjoy salt with their fries, but I personally skip it as it’s not to my taste. The Double-Double features two beef patties, tomato, lettuce, onion, cheese, and their signature In-N-Out sauce. While I suspect the sauce is simply a mix of ketchup and mayonnaise with minced pickles, I’m not entirely certain. I typically prefer using the drive thru since I don’t like dining in public. However, I have been inside the restaurant, and it’s beautifully designed. The 1960s diner aesthetic is charming; although modernized, the employee uniforms and ambiance transport you back in time.

The classic fast-food choices and vibrant energy of the restaurant are spot on. Each time I visit, the employees maintain an incredible attitude. This speaks volumes, especially considering that In-N-Out consistently has the longest lines. Managing to stay busy all day, every week and weekend, while keeping smiling faces and a friendly demeanor must be truly rewarding. During my visits, I often place orders for friends and family, but for myself, I usually opt for a Double-Double meal with a Diet Coke. When ordering a Double-Double, I always request no onions and no tomatoes; I find that they make the burger too soggy, although I accidentally got tomato this time as I forgot to specify.

If you haven't yet tried In-N-Out or are hesitant to go due to the long lines, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a chance and ordering their Double-Double. They also have a couple of secret items on the menu that you might enjoy. For instance, the Onion Bun features a grilled onion as the bun, paired with the standard patty and cheese. Additionally, the Animal Style fries come topped with chopped grilled onions, cheese, and In-N-Out sauce. While they are delicious, I find that the cheese can come out a bit cold, causing the fries to stick together in a cheesy block. But if that sounds appealing to you, then go for it! Overall, I would give this place a perfect rating of 10/10.