Thousands of students throughout Fresno County taking field trip to the Big Fresno Fair

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Hours before gates open at the Big Fresno Fair the excitement is already in the air. For the 24th year, the fair education program is giving Fresno County elementary students a lesson outside of the classroom.

"This is our future, these are our future fairgoers," said Laurie King, Big Fresno Fair Deputy Manager.

Since 1992 the program has exposed more than 450,000 students, teachers, and parents to the Big Fresno Fair. Showing them the hidden gems our county has to offer.

"Making sure these kids understand what a fair is all about and making sure that they understand about the community that they live in and why it's so important to be involved in your community," said King.

The free program teaches K through eighth-grade students everything from agriculture to fire safety.

Each building on the field trip is paired with a curriculum to maximize the learning experience. The junior exhibits building displayed arts and textiles while the ag building showcased more than 350 different commodities.

"The farm bureau is in that building and they let them touch and feel and let them know about products they may not have known about before," said King.

In the livestock pavilion, students got their own showing of chickens, goats, and cows.

"For a lot of kids this is their only opportunity to come to the fair," said King.

The free program for the school even allows for kids to get a return ticket so they can come back with their parents.

Throughout the span of the fair, the program draws in more than 30,000 students and chaperones.