FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The Big Fresno Fair is set to open Wednesday for its 12-day run, with organizers preparing for unseasonably warm weather expected to push temperatures near the century mark.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Wednesday, welcoming visitors to carnival rides, fair food and exhibits. Fair officials say they are also putting measures in place to help guests cope with the heat.

“We have cooling stations, porta cools, water fill stations this year so you can beat the heat at the fair. And we have a great variety of air-conditioned buildings, we have our museum, we have our vendor buildings,” said Taylor Collins, the Big Fresno Fair’s operations manager.

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Fairgoers are not the only ones expected to feel the effects of the heat. Hundreds of 4-H and FFA animals at the fair require around-the-clock attention during periods of elevated temperatures.

Smaller livestock, including rabbits and poultry, are especially vulnerable to heat stress and depend on student exhibitors for care. To help keep animals cool, exhibitors place frozen water bottles in rabbit cages and frequently refill water for chickens.

“The biggest concern is when you’re showing them you don’t want them to overheat because when youre working with them not only is it hard on you but its hard on the chicken. The main difference we’re doing is replacing their water cooling down their shavings below them,” said Emma Hall, a student at Reedley High School.

Organizers said visitor safety remains a top priority. Additional shade and misters have been added throughout the grounds, and air conditioning will be available in buildings across the fairgrounds.

“We know it’s going to be hot so we’re going to run our misters at all of our bar areas, our play areas. We will have air conditioning in our buildings, whether that be the haunted house building or the commerce building where you see a lof of vendors like this,” Collins said.

Fairgoers looking to escape the heat can also visit the new Midnight Manor haunted house, which opens as part of this year’s attractions.

The Big Fresno Fair runs from Oct. 7 to Oct. 18.

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