-Editorial
As the final moments ticked down before the opening of this year’s California Mid-Winter Fair & Fiesta on Friday, Feb. 28, artist Ted Flores walked the floor of the historic Preble Building, taking in the details of his latest creation. A massive display celebrating this year’s fair theme—“Valley Gras”—stood before him, adorned with the rich purples, golds, and greens of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras tradition.
For Flores, a Brawley native and longtime fair contributor, this marks at least the 25th year he has led the design and construction of the Preble Building’s featured display, a centerpiece that has delighted thousands of fairgoers over the decades. His dedication and artistic vision were recognized this year when the fair’s Board of Directors selected him to receive the Western Fair Association’s prestigious Blue Ribbon Award, an honor reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to the fair’s success.
The award was presented during a sponsorship event on the eve of the fair’s opening, an emotional moment for the 73-year-old artist.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Flores said. “It was such an honor.”
Fair Board President Cherisse Alford praised Flores’ artistry and unwavering commitment, emphasizing how integral he has been to bringing each year’s fair theme to life.
“As a designer and builder, Ted is really crucial to our fair because he makes our themes come alive year after year,” Alford said. “I don’t know what we would do without him. His work is just so amazing.”
Alford, who makes it a tradition to wait until the fair’s opening to see the Preble Building display in its full glory, admitted that this year’s creation brought her to tears.
“When I walked into the building, I teared up,” she said. “It was that amazing.”
For Flores, working on the fair never feels like a job—it is his passion. Walking through the Preble Building, he beams with pride as he explains the intricate details of this year’s display. His team crafted a vibrant scene featuring a riverboat—an actual boat gifted to the fairgrounds by the Del Mar Fair—retrofitted with a paddle to resemble a classic Mississippi steamboat. Many of the buildings were repurposed from past displays, transformed to reflect the festive spirit of Mardi Gras.
“I don’t mind coming in early or staying late because I love what I’m doing,” Flores said. “It’s a challenge every year, but it is so gratifying.”
Flores’ creative process begins each year when Fair CEO Alan Phillips shares the new theme. This year, Flores started work in November, only to be temporarily sidelined by illness. Despite his absence, his team continued fabricating parts of the display, allowing him to return in January and see his vision through to completion.
Phillips underscored how invaluable Flores’ work has been to the fair.
“Ted is an amazing human being who would do anything for you,” Phillips said. “Artistically, he is amazing with the ideas he comes up with and how he takes those ideas from paper and makes them a reality. Over the years, he’s built rivers and lakes, and he has been so important in conveying our themes to the community.”
Flores’ artistic journey began at Brawley Union High School under the mentorship of the late John Lamat, who at the time led the design of the Preble Building. Inspired by Lamat’s work, Flores pursued art at Imperial Valley College before building a career in graphic design and printing. He eventually established his own business, Ted’s Signs and Graphics in Brawley, where he honed a diverse skill set that included painting, carpentry, mechanics, and electrical work.
His talents have taken him beyond the fairgrounds—he once designed Imperial County’s display at the state Capitol in Sacramento and has worked on exhibits for state fairs across California. However, the Mid-Winter Fair remains closest to his heart.
Among his most memorable creations are a working Ferris wheel that nearly reached the Preble Building’s ceiling and a full-scale model of the Salton Sea that stretched across the building’s floor.
Though Flores officially retired seven years ago, he has no plans to step away from the fair.
“There’s so much more to create,” he said with a smile.
For now, his work stands as a testament to his love for the fair, the Imperial Valley, and the art that continues to bring joy to thousands of visitors each year.
