To end a season of community activities, Clovis will host the 36th annual ClovisFest arts and crafts festival, Sept. 18 and 19. ClovisFest, held on Pollasky Avenue, is the second-largest crafts fair in the Central Valley, next to Big Hat Days in April.
The fair showcases a variety of vendors such as commercial and local crafters, jams, food, a kids area and more.
Aside from the crafts fair, a highlight of ClovisFest is the hot air balloons. According to the Clovis Chamber of Commerce, the hot air balloons are a unique and highly-recommended event. Weather permitting, the balloons will take off in the Clovis Rodeo grounds at 7 a.m.
“ClovisFest is the last big event of the year for the Central Valley,” Susana Packinpah, Clovis Chamber of Commerce office manager, said. “ClovisFest draws about 70-75,000 people from all over the Valley.
“People will shop for Christmas gifts, like spray paint T-shirts, bows and artwork. It’s pure fun with a long-lived history; the name and date have changed, but the concept has remained the same.”
Although ClovisFest is chiefly for entertainment, it is also a way for the community to come together despite economic hardship.
“It’s great to see the community come together and celebrate,” Tammi Walton, event coordinator, said. “Even though we are in an economic decline, we do our best to keep the prices steady, and people really seem to appreciate that.”
For more information on ClovisFest, read the Sept. 16, 2009, article, ClovisFest attracts Valley patrons.
