Clovis Chamber hosts annual street party

For two days, 15 blocks of Old Town Clovis  will be closed down for the 81st annual Table Mountain Casino Big Hat Days. Over 140,000 people are projected to attend the City of Clovis event, April 6-7, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sponsored by the Clovis Chamber of Commerce since 1977, Big Hat Days provides diversity with barbecue to Mexican food and kettle corn to craft booths and live music, bringing something for everyone to enjoy.

With people taking the place of cars, crowds will gather for the annual street party, dining with various vendors, shopping the booths and stores and playing carnival games. It is the largest two-day festival in Central California, according to The Clovis Chamber of Commerce and PlayFresno.org. 

In the year that the first use of teflon, and the first issues of the Superman Comics were produced, Clovis Big Hat Days kicks off and is often known as Clovis Rodeo month, a 100-year tradition.

Since 1938, Big Hat Days offers many activities to both families and teenagers with attractions, shopping, food, and live music.

The event brings over 50 different vendors spread throughout Old Town Clovis; the food varies from traditional American, barbecue, Mexican, and other ethnic meals. But do not worry, corn dogs, cotton candy and kettle corn will be provided by vendors along Pollasky Ave.

Attractions vary as kids carnivals rides will be on Fourth Street and Pollasky Avenue, between Eighth and Ninth. With others like Ryan’s Happy Day Pony Rides, water balls, the Clovis Police Department Obstacle Course, and a petting zoo, bring the kids for a fun day.

Big Hat Day also commemorates local Clovis cowboys and farmers. On this day, the townspeople are invited to donate their favorite hats to what the cowboys and farmers have contributed to the community.

With live music provided and artists from Terry Isaac (9-10:30 a.m.) to Reckless Country (10:30-12:30 p.m), Ron Rodgers & The Last Stance Saloon (1-3 p.m.), and Floyd VanLaningham (3:30-5:30 p.m.) will be performing on Saturday. On Sunday, the Morgan Hill Band (noon-2 p.m.) and Floyd VanLaningham (2:30-4:30 p.m). All performance at the Michelob Ultra Beer Garden in Old Town Clovis.

Greg Newman, Executive Director and press contact for the Chamber of Commerce, as well as the interim manager for Sierra Vista Mall, is looking forward into the multi-generational crowd that will be attracted to the event.

“It’s a generational event fathers and mothers bring their kids, then their kids later bring theirs,” Newman said. “It’s a hometown feel-good event. There’s great weather where you can walk down the streets and experience everything the event offers.”

Newman suggests to bring $25 for high school students who want to experience the food and attractions.

“It’s a free event and a good community gathering place to shop, buy food, and have fun,” Newman said. “There is are alcoholic beverages available for the people over 21 at The Michelob Ultra Beer Garden. There’s also great entertainment for kids with the attractions which are provided.”

Parking is free in the surrounding lots and at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds. Big Hat Days is an annual event and will be held in Old Town Clovis again next year if you miss out on the festivities. For more information, visit the Clovis Chamber of Commerce or check out the Big Hat Days Facebook page.

The Feather last wrote an article about Big Hat Days in 2016. For the latest Feather articles, read Dr. Jeremi Suri dissects American politics, history at SJV Town Hall and New Voices legislation seeks to restore student journalist rights.

Kyler Garza can be reached via email.

Slideshow below includes images from past Big Hat Days in Old Town Clovis.

Gallery • 9 Photos