Gordo at the Arizona State Fair (Nov 7-16, 1952)

Even if it's not the peak of Gordo's popularity, it was certainly the character's broadest exposure outside of the newspapers: When Gordo was the official mascot of the 1952 Arizona State Fair! 

Visitors to the fair were greeted at the entrance by a titanic statue of Gordo, Pepito and Señor Dog, which stood 60' tall, as these photos might help contextualize:

An artist's concept of the statue, with human for scale, looking taken aback.

The statue of Gordo and Pepito can be seen in the upper-left of this photo. 

Gordo was also present through the fair in a multitude of ways, which included a live Gordo (sporting an impressive likeness!), pictured below in the company of Miss Sonora, Ana Lourdes Rodriguez of Hermosillo, and a couple of governors. 

Gordo on the Information Booth

Gordo two-timing Miss Sonora, if only in placard form.  

Additionally, there were copious advertisements reusing existing art from the strips, but rewritten to have an Arizona State Fair focus. The five below were from a set of six which frequently ran in Arizona newspapers:

Ad from the Arizona State Fair Premium List (cover pictured above)

Alas, all things must end, and so it was with the giant statue of Gordo which overlooked the Arizona State Fairgrounds. Where the pieces ended up is anyone's guess, although it's difficult to imagine that they weren't simply demolished after the fair. The last known appearance of any of the original, decorative material which featured Gordo is clarified in the piece below, which describes silk panels painted with Gordo and Pepito being recycled into stuffing and prop lining.

This item from The Salinas Californian seems to indicate that some of the material was earmarked for Monterey and its 1953 County Fair (and Horse Show). Apparently this fell through -- or was never meant to be -- as Monterey eventually opted for a character named Don Stupendo as their mascot.

Gordo's usurper?