On Wednesday, managers held the second annual job fair to hire 800 people.
"I've got my shoes on, I've eaten my Wheaties so I'm good to go," said applicant Ishmael Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said he's looking for a job with the Janitorial department because he has 10 years of experience including work at a Central Valley Hospital.
By mid-morning, thousands of people had lined up outside the Commerce building at the Fresno Fairgrounds. Some of them had arrived as early as 3:15 am for a chance to be hired.
"I hear the lines get really long," said Dominique Montague, who showed up to the fair with a friend. "And the wait is a little bit lengthy. The cut off was 2 o'clock so I wanted to make sure we were in line and ready to do whatever we needed to do so I was ready for it."
Deputy Manager Laurie King said supervisors are looking to hire top-notch workers for the Central Valley's largest annual event including ticket-takers to janitorial work to horse racing and parking.
"We're looking for people who are passionate and energetic and excitable. That's what the Fresno Fair is all about and those are the kinds of people we want to employ today," said King.
The gates opened about a half an hour early this year because of the heat. King said applicants were provided with plenty of shade and water as they winded their way through a series of long lines.
"It's a hot day we do have some umbrellas in line and we have some water stations both outside and inside the building," she said.
She said two copy machines were also added indoors so applicants could print multiple copies of their resumes and drops one off with each department. Preparations, she said, for the fifth largest fair in the state and one that draws more than a half-million visitors each year.
"What do you like about the Big Fresno Fair and the possibility of working it?" asked Action News Reporter Linda Mumma.
"All the people you get to meet, the money and most importantly the experience," answered Christian Lozoya, a college student looking to make some additional money near the start of school.
According to fair management, about 5,000 people showed up to the job fair.
If you didn't get a chance to come out, you can still download an application from the Fair's website and turn it in to the main office located on Chance Ave at the Fresno fairgrounds.
Call backs will begin within the next week. The Big Fresno Fair begins October third and runs through the 14th.
