Festivals, Fresno County Style
Fresno County residents are always up for a good time. Late summer and early fall are a great time to take part in local-favorite events. Get ready to say “Opai!” at Fresno Greek Fest, where the city’s Greek community spends a weekend celebrating their heritage with music and food. Try gyros, souvlaki, loukoumades, and a variety of baklava while dancing the night away to authentic Greek music. Watch the hot air balloons take off at ClovisFest, Clovis’ annual festival that bids farewell to summer and welcomes fall. The colorful balloons take off just after sunrise. The festival spans 12 blocks of Old Town Clovis and features local businesses, food vendors, and live music. Fresno Reel Pride is one of the oldest and largest LGBTQ+ film festivals in the United States, attracting filmmakers from around the world to Fresno's Tower District.
Early fall brings another of Fresno’s biggest food festivals, the annual Taco Truck Throwdown. Taco trucks from all over California go from taco to taco to compete for the championship. The event includes live music, wrestling matches, michelada competitions, and lots of tacos. Get ready for some fun at the Great Fresno Fair. From traditional fair foods and live music to carnival rides and horse racing, this is a great stop for the family. Visitors can also explore the historical exhibits, kids’ area, and livestock showcases.
Real, Raw California
If you’re looking for a different kind of California vacation, Fresno County gives you access to the real, raw heart of the state. Start your trip with a stroll through the Forestiere Underground Gardens, a hand-carved home beneath Fresno’s surface. Inspired by the catacombs of Sicily, wander through winding tunnels and discover centuries-old hybrid citrus plants. In the summer, the gardens have their own microclimate, making the tunnels 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the surface level. Make a splash with the family at Wild Water Adventure Park in Clovis or Island Water Park in Fresno. Hike through Kings Canyon National Park, where towering redwoods, rushing waterfalls, and clear blue lakes are found in the deepest canyon in the United States. The park is quieter than the state’s neighboring national parks, but the views are just as incredible. National park lovers can also see Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks within a short drive of Fresno.
As one of the most culturally diverse destinations in the United States, Fresno County’s culinary scene is second to none. Enjoy a luxurious meal at Trelio Food & Wine in Clovis, where the chef uses local ingredients to create Italian dishes with a Californian twist. Sample a craft cocktail and Spanish cuisine, including tapas and paella, at Mochuelo in Fresno. Stop by Fresno’s Brewery District for great hops and a variety of food trucks. Taste your wine at the vineyards of Fresno County, California’s underground wine country. The county produces much of the state’s wine grapes. Try the Evasion rosé at Solitary Cellars Winery or the cabernet at Ziveli Winery.
Plan your trip on VisitFresnoCounty.org
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