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Blakemore Building Still Stands On
Fairgrounds
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The Annual Caruthers District Fair had its beginning in the
year 1923, with a two-day affair held on October 11 and 12. |
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It was begun with a little hesitation and trepidation and as plans matured
and work and expenses mounted some of the most dependable workers became
doubtful that it could be a success. |
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However, when the money was in and all bills paid there was a nest egg of
$165 to begin plans for the next year. |
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This was a real community project with everyone pitching in and doing his
share. Since Caruthers was the first small community in the Valley to
attempt such a project, Caruthers became an inspiration to other communities
in the Central Valley. |
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The program of this first Caruthers Fair included a football game between
Caruthers and Fresno State College in which Caruthers was defeated 41 - 0. |
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In 1925 the Caruthers District Fair Association was formed.
This was a non profit organization "to promote and
encourage" agriculture and other related industries. |
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The fair was discontinued during World War II for obvious reasons. The
fairgrounds were used as an emergency labor camp. After the war has
ended, the community again began to feel the need for a project such as the
Caruthers District Fair which had been held in the past. |
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In the fall of 1945 the board again met and made plans for a
fair to be held in November of that year, but conditions were not favorable
and the tremendous amount of work connected with it would not permit it to
be held on such short notice. |
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Phelps Block, later a hotel and drug store,
even later the post office
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In
1946 the Young Farmers, a group of young men made up largely of veterans
recently returned from World War II, under the direction of John R. Adams, asked
for the privilege of putting on the fair. this was a tremendous undertaking
since there had been no fair during the war years and the grounds and buildings
were in very poor condition and there was no money in the treasury. Perhaps
because of their youthful energy and daring they did not allow these obstacles
to stand in the way, and proceeded with the help of others in the community to
clean the grounds and whitewash and repair the buildings to the best of their
ability.
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At this time, Mr. Herluf Fries, who was a member of both the Young Farmers
and the fair board, came up with the idea of giving away a car as the grand
prize. This was almost too ambitious for most of the group to accept, for
there was no money to pay for a car and they could not be sure the fair
would bring that amount of money in. Nevertheless, Mr. Fries was given
permission to see what could be done. New cars were still very scarce since
the War and neither of the local dealers were able to furnish one. Mr. Fries
finally located one he could get from an out-of-town dealer and paid
for it himself. |
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At the conclusion of the fair it was declared an unqualified success. All
bills were paid including repaying Mr. Fries and there was money in the
treasury to assure the next year's fair. |
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To this day
there has been no outside help of state aid, and all labor has been volunteered
by the civic minded citizens of this area.
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Scenes from the Parade
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In August 1950, with little over a month until fair time, the
11 food booths were destroyed by fire. with more than 150 people we were
able to complete the job of rebuilding at a minimum of time and expense. The
only hired labor being a carpenter to oversee the job. |
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This is considered California's largest free gate fair and is primarily
funded by a queen contest. One of our featured attractions is our food
booths, served by local churches and organizations. Other attractions
include Entertainment at the Stage like the Sons of the San Joaquin and
Elvis, Commercial Exhibits including Farm Equipment, Large Junior Livestock
Show, Home Arts Exhibits, Horticulture and Floriculture Exhibits, Carnival
Rides and a Parade on Saturday. |
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In recent years a 9000 sq. ft. community building has been built. The
building is used for weddings and other social events nearly every weekend,
a permanent stage at the front of the fair grounds for queen coronation and
entertainment and a new permanent steel frame roof over the Junior Livestock
Show area. |
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Almost unbelievable, but once again, in 1997 the roof was torn
off the food booths by what appeared to be a tornado, even though the
weather department denies such an event. At-any-rate, this tornado or
extreme high winds during a storm destroyed the roof of the booths. There is
now a permanent steel frame roof over the food booths. |
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In looking back at our humble beginnings, much sacrifice has been made. Our
town today with a population of approximately 1200 people are
able to produce the Second largest event in Fresno County. We feel through
hard work and keeping the the fair free gate and alcohol free
we are able to create a great family atmosphere for all to enjoy. |
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