Parade Information (.pdf documents)
Line Up Letter
Parade Form
Parade Line Up
Parade Line Up (Alphabetical)
Parade Route

Due to the Historical Society's Civil War Revisited event on October 21 and 22, participation ribbons and award certificates will not be sent out until November. The Society is looking into making DVD's of the Parade with the help of Comcast Cable TV. Participants will be notified of their availability in November. You may call the Society after November 1st if you have any questions, 559.441.0862. Thank you.

View the Parade Judging Entry Decisions

Parades were an important way residents of Fresno County came together to celebrate, especially in the early 20th century. One parade in particular, the Raisin Day Parade, was not only quite extraordinary by Fresno County standards, but became one of California’s best parades.

History:

The first Raisin Day, on April 30, 1909, was an idea used in desperation by the Fresno growers to save the then dying raisin industry. By 1909, there was no market for the raisin. Growers received only 1 ½ cents per pound for their crop (less than the cost of production). In fact, raisins were used as feed for livestock. Mr. James Horseburgh, Jr. conceived the idea of holding a great festival in honor of the raisin. With the help of railroads and hotels across the country, raisins were served with every meal to publicize the festival.

Each year the Raisin Day parade drew crowds of more than 100,000 people from around the country. Floats were an important component of the parade. In fact, Los Angeles County, San Francisco County and the City of Pasadena often participated, competing with each other as well as with other government entities, a number of businesses, unions, and communities throughout the region for the coveted sweepstakes award. Raisin Day in Fresno continued to be an annual event until May 1932.

For the Sesqui:

The Fresno Fair has taken on the Sesquicentennial as its theme this year. Three Fair buildings in particular will feature large-scale exhibits that highlight and celebrate the County’s rich history. Experience the exhibit, The Immigrant Story, featuring various modes of transportation that brought people to the County; watch the just released film; read and hear the stories of indigenous people and the early settlers who came to Fresno County. See the new exhibits in The Agricultural Building demonstrating our rich bounty of crops. Visit the Home Arts Building featuring artifacts from throughout the County that help tell the story of home life through the years.

Raisin Day 1921 Parade Video
Requires Windows Media Player.
courtesy of
The Pop Laval Photographic Collection

	BE A PART OF THIS SPECIAL
	SESQUICENTENNIAL PARADE!
Contact Information:	Click here for your official
	Sesqui Parade Application
Carole Lester,
Fresno Historical Society 559.441.0862
fresno150@aol.com
	LINK TO PARADE APPLICATION