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Horse Racing May Be Out at Fresno Fair, but New Events Promise to Pack Grandstands
Edward Smith updated website photo 2024
By Edward Smith
Published 2 months ago on
July 9, 2025

Big Fresno Fair officials found replacement acts for horse racing, ranging from the rodeo to Arenacross. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

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From rodeos to monster trucks and Arenacross, Big Fresno Fair officials announced a slew of events to fill the gap left after they announced there would be no horse racing there this year.

Events at the Brian I. Tatarian Grandstand begin Oct. 3 with the Big Fresno Fair Rodeo, going on through Oct. 4.

On Oct. 10 the grandstand will host the Arenacross Nationals, a dirt bike race.

The 10th annual Beer & Wine Fest will take place on Oct. 11, and to cap off the events, the Monsters of Destruction Monster Trucks will have two shows on Oct. 12.

Tickets will be available to Big Fair Fan Club members beginning Monday through July 20. Tickets will then go on sale to the general public July 21.

In June, the California Horse Racing Board denied the fair’s request to host races at the fair. The fair lost its license after the California Association of Racing Fairs did not renew its application to conduct meets this year.

Acclaimed horse breeder John Harris, who passed away earlier this month, led the effort to continue the races at the Big Fresno Fair.

See Who’s Coming to the Paul Paul

In addition to events at the grandstand, the fair announced seven of its 10 concert acts at the Paul Paul Theater.

  • Oct. 1: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
  • Oct. 2: TBA
  • Oct. 3: Dustin Lynch
  • Oct. 4: Alt-Rock Rewind featuring Lit, Fuel, and Eve 6
  • Oct. 5: TBA
  • Oct. 6: The Commodores and The Spinners
  • Oct. 7: Dirty Heads
  • Oct. 8: I Love the 90s
  • Oct. 9: Skillet and Switchfoot
  • Oct. 10: Trace Adkins with special guest Preston Cooper
  • Oct. 11: R&B Night Out featuring Mario, Lloyd, and Nivea
  • Oct. 12: TBA

The fair will run Oct. 1 through Oct. 12.

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Edward Smith,
Multimedia Journalist
Edward Smith began reporting for GV Wire in May 2023. His reporting career began at Fresno City College, graduating with an associate degree in journalism. After leaving school he spent the next six years with The Business Journal, doing research for the publication as well as covering the restaurant industry. Soon after, he took on real estate and agriculture beats, winning multiple awards at the local, state and national level. You can contact Edward at 559-440-8372 or at Edward.Smith@gvwire.com.

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