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The Big Fresno Fair vs. The Kern County Fair

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The Big Fresno Fair doesn't have anything on the Kern County Fair.  Alma and I went North today on a work related assignment.  Since we were in the area we went to the fair in Fresno and were really disappointed in what we saw or didn't see.  Since Fresno is much bigger than Bakersfield, I expected better things. 

It was a Sunday so I understand that the whole city of Fresno would be there.  Entering the fair was slow due to everyone getting wanded and searched by Fresno P.D. and all purses and baby strollers were being searched.  I'm not sure what they were looking for but I can understand their concern for security, as we all should.

The crowd was huge and it was very difficult to walk around anywhere without bumping into someone or running into a baby stroller.  It seemed as if all the strollers were at the fair on this day too!!  

Luckily there were plenty of food booths but it seemed as if everyone in the fair got hungry at the same time.  Once I got my Philly Cheese Sandwich and Alma her Gyro, our next goal was in finding some shade where we could eat.  We got Lucky and found some old barrels where we were able to place our food down on the lids. 

We walked around and found that if I hadn't grabbed unto Alma, I would have probably been separated in the crowd and gotten lost.   It was difficult to find any exhibit buildings but we managed to find one exhibiting ancient Egyptian buildings and artifacts. 

The only problem we had was that the floor in this building was covered with dirt and it was difficult to breathe inside due to the large crowd kicking the dust inside the exhibit building with their feet.

It was great to get out back to the sun and some fresh air.  We attempted to walk again and headed to the north end of the fair but the trek was slow due to wall to wall people. 

I bet our Kern County Fair committee would love these kinds of crowds at the KC fair in Bakersfield for the revenue.

We got in line and bought a couple ears of corn which were deliciously cooked over an open flame.  I had one at the Kern County Fair also but that one was boiled and this one tasted better.  Perhaps because I like the burnt kernels just as I like lightly burnt tortillas.  

There were benches to sit down but they were all occupied and it was hard to find an empty one.  One man was occupying a bench made for 4 people but he said the bench was occupied by other people.  I couldn't see them but being that it's getting close to Halloween, I figured he had a few spooks visiting him.  I certainly didn't want to sit on a ghost so we left him alone.

We finally found another exhibit building but it was half the size of the ones in Kern County.  We next found the agricultural exhibit in which all the vegetables and fruits were beautifully displayed.  I finally found an unoccupied bench and sat there while Alma got in line to buy some fruit....... Mexican style, with hot pepper and hot salsa.  That was pretty delicious too but if you're not used to this, don't try it without a gallon of water!

After walking the length of the fair grounds, I realized that the reason for the large crowd was that the Fresno fair grounds has a Huge horse race track which occupied most of the grounds.  Everything is cramped together on the west side of the grand stands, therefore....the crowded conditions.  What I enjoy about the Kern County Fair is that there is plenty of room to get around and you are not restricted to a certain section like at the Fresno Fair.

I mean, I'm not complaining, We ate and walked around and saw how the other side in Fresno enjoy themselves.  They probably got used to the crowded conditions throughout the years due to city growth.  Alma mentioned that in Guadalajara, the fairs are beautiful, have musical entertainment everywhere and the fair grounds are bigger with more people.   That sounds good to me but the "more people" scares me since I don't like long lines or walking behind the heals of strangers and accidentally bumping into them.

I did run into an old acquaintance named Abe Belardo.  I've know him since I was a boy scout during my elementary years at Fremont School in Delano.  He owns and operates the Way of Japan in Delano.  The only other person that I had words with was a rude woman trying to crowd into the corn line.  She gave me a dirty look and left angrily.  I hoped she didn't go call her husband.  Now I see why everyone was searched at the entrance. 

After all this, I really appreciate our Kern County Fair where I had a great time the four (4) days which I attended.
 
I took a few cell phone pictures but they didn't come out as clear as with my Cannon.