Fair's 'Let's Play' Area Offers Large Scale Fun And Learning, Too

Fans of classic games like Battleship, Scrabble, Connect Four and Simon are in for some super-sized fun at the Big Fresno Fair.
This year, the fair’s popular “Let’s Play” activity area is giving fairgoers the chance to play with ginormous versions of those games and others, including Jenga, Checkers and Connect Four. In addition to providing big-time family enjoyment, it’s designed to give young minds a better understanding of STEM-based educational concepts.

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
It is a curriculum in those four disciplines and it’s being integrated into more schools, said Stacy Rianda, the deputy manager at The Big Fresno Fair.
“We are very pleased to be able to incorporate as much STEM activity here at the fair as we can, and this new exhibit is a perfect example of that.”

Big Time Games

“We really have something for everyone,” Rianda said.

To add educational value, there are stories that go along with each game so fairgoers can learn about the game’s history and what physical and cognitive skills are used when playing.
Additionally, Rianda said the exhibit will feature virtual gaming and Family Feud-style game shows.
“The virtual gaming that we will have here is something we’ve never had before at the fair,” Rianda said. “I think people are just going to love it.”
 
 

Making Learning Fun For All Ages

The exhibit’s objective is to make learning fun and relevant for all ages, said Pam Shultz, the owner of IG Presents, one of several organizations involved in the exhibit.
“We have discovered that a lot of families will spend money to go to a fair but won’t spend money to go to a science museum. So our whole goal is to bring science to the fair,” Shultz said.

Families can explore the free exhibit from the time the fair gates open until 9 p.m., Shultz said. The exhibit is located across from the livestock building next to the fair’s general administration building.
Rianda said she hopes families will visit the exhibit as a unit and explore all it has to offer.
“It is so much fun and it is all hands-on, which makes it the perfect kind of exhibit to have at our fair,” Rianda said. “We hope everyone comes out and enjoys it.”