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FresYes Fest 2020 – Postponed

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Natali Carrera
Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her twelve-year-old son, husband of 17 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works in the field of education and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.
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As sponsors of the wildly popular (and rightfully so) annual FresYes Fest hosted each year by Tioga Sequoia Beer Garden, we wanted to provide our readers with an update.

Out of an abundance of caution and with the health of our Central Valley residents in mind, FresYes Fest 2020 has been postponed to Fall 2020. Partners of the event intend to have the majority of the plans and bookings carry over to the new date, TBA.

You can read Tioga Sequoia’s full post on their Facebook page here.

Image via Tioga Sequoia Brewery

For accurate and local Coronavirus/Covid19 information, you can visit the Fresno County Health Department’s update site here.

Thank you all for your enthusiasm, interest and support of this great event. We look forward to enjoying it with you later this year.

The FresYes Guide to Year-Round Farmers Markets

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Sarah Soghomonian
TV Producer and fan of all things fabulous.Bulldog Born, Bulldog Bred!
Latest posts by Sarah Soghomonian (see all)

If one of your goals for 2020 is to eat healthier, a great place to turn is a local farmers market. The Fresno area is full of them. In recent years many have begun to operate year-round. FresYes wants to make it easy for you to shop the local markets. Here’s your guide to what you’ll find when you go.

Farmer's Market in Fresno

Kaiser Permanente Fresno Farmers Market

When: Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Fresno Medical Center, 7300 N. Fresno St.

Kaiser Permanente is encouraging patients and the community to eat healthy, by hosting a weekly farmers market in their parking lot.

“At Kaiser Permanente, we believe that eating more fruits and vegetables is part of good health,” said Meredith Murillo, Communications Manager for Kaiser Permanente Fresno. “That’s why we’ve opened a farmers market outside our medical center.”


The first Kaiser based farmers market started in 2003 in Oakland. The Fresno market opened two years later. More than 50 Kaiser Permanente locations now offer a farm market.

“There are many health benefits associated with eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains,” Murillo said. “A diet built around fresh, seasonal produce is the cornerstone of preventive medicine. And if you shop at a farmers market, you are more likely to cook, which is another key to good health.”

fresh produce for sale at a Farmers Market

In addition to fruits and vegetable vendors, shoppers will find eggs, honey, jams, nuts, whole-grain baked goods, ready-to-eat snacks, flowers, succulents and other items at the Kaiser Fresno market.


“There’s lots to see,” Murillo said. “We are grateful for the community support we receive for the market. We have many regular, weekly shoppers who support our local farmers and vendors. The community support has really fostered a communal, positive atmosphere.”

River Park Farmers Market

When: Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Between Macys and Yard House

The River Park Farmers Market started in 1999, shortly after the shopping center opened. It’s exploded in size in recent years and includes food trucks and live entertainment.

Shoppers will find vendors selling one-of-a-kind items and products produced right here in the Central Valley. Organizers say more than 300 different varieties of fruits and vegetables are sold each year at their market.

John Hinkle, of Hinkle’s Honey, is a vendor at the River Park Farmers Market. Nine years ago he got interested in working with bees after a long career as a diesel mechanic. The beekeeper loves educating the people who stop by his booth.

Hinkle's Honey

“Some of the health benefits of honey is that there are nutrients from plants,” Hinkle says. “There are antibodies produced by the bee as the nectar is turned into honey, also there are pollens that are beneficial to the immune system and many other health benefits.”

Extracting the honey from the hive and bottling it, is hard work. “The response from the public is great,” Hinkle says. “They seem to enjoy learning about the facts about honey and we have a lot of returning customers that really love the taste and benefits.”

In addition to the River Park Farmers Market, Hinkle’s Honey can be found at the Valley Fresh Farmers Market at Valley Children’s Hospital on Fridays and at the Market on Kern, which takes place in downtown Fresno on Wednesdays from May through October.

Old Town Farmers Market

When: Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Where: Pollasky between Fifth Street and Bullard Avenue in Clovis

When you think of Old Town Clovis, many people think of the Friday night farmers market that takes place in the summer. A couple years back Clovis started hosting a year-round market, that’s much smaller in size.

Old Town Clovis Farmers Market

Ferrer Farm from Madera is one of the popular vendors you’ll find at the Saturday market. They have a wide variety to choose from. They sell lots of greens, such as kale, swiss chard, lettuce, cilantro and spinach. As well as broccoli, cauliflower, citrus, tomatoes, peppers, stone fruit and more.

leafy greens for sale

“We have been selling our product at the local farmers markets for about the last ten years,” said Tania Mitchum, of Ferrer Farm. “I love serving my Old Town people. They always make us feel loved and appreciated. Our customers are like family to us. We want to always provide them with the best quality and customer service possible because they sure deserve it.”

Mitchum’s parents Ignacio and Maria Ferrer own their family farm. She and her husband help run the markets and are proud of the work they do in the community. In addition to the Old Town Farmers Market, you can find them Tuesdays at River Park and Wednesdays at Kaiser.

The Vineyard Farmers Market

When: Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to Noon
Where: 100 W. Shaw (Northwest corner of Blackstone and Shaw, behind Eyeglass World)

broccoli and onions for sale at a Farmers Market in Clovis

In order to be a vendor at The Vineyard Farmers Market, you have to be local and you must agree to a farm tour inspection. That’s because quality and safety is of the utmost importance.

Tristan Pursell and his family are regular shoppers. “Love me some Vineyard,” he says. “I go a few times per month. Kids love it. The fresh fruits are always great to buy. I love that they have a local coffee vendor and pastry vendor.”

Flo Cheung Jones has been visiting The Vineyard Farmers Market for the past 14 years. “I love the Asian stands,” she said. “There is a stand where the mother and her daughter have run for years, selling snow pea shoots. I love the varieties of carrots, beets, radishes.”

Manchester Center Farmers Market

When: Fridays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Blackstone and Shields Avenues

This market is a favorite for folks that work at the offices in and around Manchester Center.

Fresh Berries for sale at a Farmers Market

In addition to selling fruits and veggies, there are lots of lunchtime options. Many of the food vendors specialize in Mexican dishes, including seafood, fruit cups and refreshing aguas frescas.

What’s Hot & Happening this Weekend

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Jason Farris
Head YES man at FresYes.com
I grew up in Fresno. Relaxed in its calm breezes, listened with my dad to the crack of the bat at little league baseball games when I was a kid and now take my son to do the same at minor league games. I broadened my mind at its schools (I went to high school right here at San Joaquin Memorial, and to college at Fresno State!) I love that if I drive for two hours in one direction, I can be in the mountains. For two hours in another, luxuriating on a California beach. I can enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of San Francisco or Los Angeles, but still be able to come home to relaxation, calm, and quiet.

I love where I live, and I also love what I do. I'm lucky to be able to work in a profession in which I get to build relationships; one that has me meeting new people each and every day and helping them to build new lives in my beloved city. I'm lucky enough to work in a profession in which I can marry cutting-edge technologies and marketing techniques to good, old-fashioned, nose-to-the-grindstone work. I am lucky enough to work in a profession that allows me to work as an advocate for my clients; to use every tool at my disposal to get a job done well for them, and with as little stress and expense as possible.

I love my city. I love my job. One inspires my excellence for the other.

Fresno? I say FresYES
Latest posts by Jason Farris (see all)

It’s Super Bowl Weekend and there are parties all around town! There are also plenty of other events including family hikes, silent movie screenings, Disney on Ice and more. Here’s our full list of what’s hot & happening this weekend:

Friday

Saturday

  • Nate’s Silent Movies: Buster Keaton’s “Steamboat Bill Jr.”! Event Link
  • Running Dirty: Beginner Trail Running Series #1 Event Link
  • Welcome the Spring Potluck and Ritual Event Link
  • Hardpan IPA Release Party Event Link
  • Paint Therapy – Valentine Heart for HOME Sign Event Link
  • Disney On Ice Presents Mickey’s Search Party Event Link
  • Justice Fashion Show Event Link

Sunday

What’s Hot & Happening this Weekend

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Jason Farris
Head YES man at FresYes.com
I grew up in Fresno. Relaxed in its calm breezes, listened with my dad to the crack of the bat at little league baseball games when I was a kid and now take my son to do the same at minor league games. I broadened my mind at its schools (I went to high school right here at San Joaquin Memorial, and to college at Fresno State!) I love that if I drive for two hours in one direction, I can be in the mountains. For two hours in another, luxuriating on a California beach. I can enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of San Francisco or Los Angeles, but still be able to come home to relaxation, calm, and quiet.

I love where I live, and I also love what I do. I'm lucky to be able to work in a profession in which I get to build relationships; one that has me meeting new people each and every day and helping them to build new lives in my beloved city. I'm lucky enough to work in a profession in which I can marry cutting-edge technologies and marketing techniques to good, old-fashioned, nose-to-the-grindstone work. I am lucky enough to work in a profession that allows me to work as an advocate for my clients; to use every tool at my disposal to get a job done well for them, and with as little stress and expense as possible.

I love my city. I love my job. One inspires my excellence for the other.

Fresno? I say FresYES
Latest posts by Jason Farris (see all)

Looking for something to do this weekend? Whether you’re looking for a date night, fun-family events, or a night on the town, we’ve got you covered with our guide to what’s hot & happening this weekend:

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

What’s Hot & Happening this Weekend

by Leave a Comment

Jason Farris
Head YES man at FresYes.com
I grew up in Fresno. Relaxed in its calm breezes, listened with my dad to the crack of the bat at little league baseball games when I was a kid and now take my son to do the same at minor league games. I broadened my mind at its schools (I went to high school right here at San Joaquin Memorial, and to college at Fresno State!) I love that if I drive for two hours in one direction, I can be in the mountains. For two hours in another, luxuriating on a California beach. I can enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of San Francisco or Los Angeles, but still be able to come home to relaxation, calm, and quiet.

I love where I live, and I also love what I do. I'm lucky to be able to work in a profession in which I get to build relationships; one that has me meeting new people each and every day and helping them to build new lives in my beloved city. I'm lucky enough to work in a profession in which I can marry cutting-edge technologies and marketing techniques to good, old-fashioned, nose-to-the-grindstone work. I am lucky enough to work in a profession that allows me to work as an advocate for my clients; to use every tool at my disposal to get a job done well for them, and with as little stress and expense as possible.

I love my city. I love my job. One inspires my excellence for the other.

Fresno? I say FresYES
Latest posts by Jason Farris (see all)

Welcome to the weekend, everyone! Looking for something to do with friends, family or both? FresYes has you covered with our definitive guide of what’s hot & happening this weekend:

Friday

  • Fulton 55 9th Anniversary Party with 40 Watt Hype Event Link
  • Friday Night Fight Club at Fresno Airsoft Event Link
  • The Morning Drive LIVE @ Goldstein’s! Event Link
  • Fresno Monsters at Selland Arena Event Link
  • Fresno State Bulldogs Wrestling vs. Duke Blue Devils Wrestling Event Link

Saturday

Sunday

Nature Events for Kids and Bald Eagle Hike Happening Saturday at River Parkway

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Sarah Soghomonian
TV Producer and fan of all things fabulous.Bulldog Born, Bulldog Bred!
Latest posts by Sarah Soghomonian (see all)

Saturday is an exciting day for the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust. The organization is hosting several events, two of which are geared towards teaching children about nature.

The River Parkway Trust was established to protect the San Joaquin River and surrounding lands. They offer educational and recreational activities for families throughout the year.

Saturday children ages 3 ½ to 6-year-old can take part in the River Buddies Weekend Explore Program happening at the River Center, located at 11605 Old Friant Road in Fresno. There’s a fee of $10 per child and online registration and payment is required in advance. You have until Thursday at Noon to sign-up. 

The program runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. During the two-hour session the kids will go on a nature walk, complete a craft, sing fun songs, listen to a story and do a hands-on activity. 

The theme for Saturday’s River Buddies Weekend Explore Program is “Nature Neighbors”. The children will learn about the plants and animals they come across on their walk. They’ll use life-sized animals track stamps to create tracks in the dirt and make their own snakeskin bandana. 

For children ages 6 to 9-year-old, there is an adventure program taking place on Saturday as well. It’s called the Weekend Youth Naturalist Program and it is aimed to equip the next generation with skills to be natural explorers and stewards of the Earth. 

Saturday’s program runs from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and also takes place at the River Center. It’s $15 per child and sign-ups also end Thursday at Noon. 

The theme is “Animal Evidence.” The children will go on a nature walk and dissect owl pellets, among other activities.

“We believe that children should have the opportunity to spend time outdoors, getting dirty, playing games, and learning with their peers,” said Molly Schnur-Salimbene, the Community Programs Director for the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust. “Many children in the Fresno/Madera area are unaware that there is a river nearby, and even fewer have visited it or the natural areas that surround it.”

Parents are required to stay on-site for the duration of the children’s programs and are encouraged to participate in the activities as well. 

The San Joaquin Parkway and Conversation Trust believes that everyone will leave the River Center more curious and more informed about our local environment and its native species.

“Parents who attend the programs with their children often comment on how much they learned, or how surprised they were by how well their young children were able to understand the scientific concepts,”Schnur-Salimbene said. “Many parents become excited by what they’ve learned and continue to explore the topics covered on weekend trips with their children through research at home, looking for signs of wildlife in their neighborhoods, and revisiting the sites where the programs took place.”

If you can’t make it to Saturday’s children’s events, mark your calendar for February 15th and March 14th.  The River Parkway will be hosting additional River Buddies Weekend Explore Program and Weekend Youth Naturalist Program events those days.

In addition to the children’s events, the Parkway invites you to take part in a Bald Eagle Hike also on Saturday. It’s free and the 2-to-3 mile hike is low intensity. 

Eagles enjoy spending winter along the shores of Millerton Reservoir. A guide will help you spot our National Bird.

“Guides provide background information on the migratory patterns and characteristics of Bald Eagles using enlarged photos and maps, and then give participants hints on where along the shoreline to look,” Schnur-Salimbene said. “Hikes move slowly, stopping often when something of interest is spotted and using a portable spotting scope to give each person the chance to take a look as the guide provides information on natural history and the local ecosystem.”

To join the Bald Eagle Hike, register online and then meet at the River Center at 8:30 a.m. Dress for the outdoors and bring binoculars, water and sunscreen. The hike will take place rain or shine. Children 12 and over are welcome, but dogs are not invited.

The Bald Eagle Hike is also happening on January 25th. 

For more on all things San Joaquin River Parkway and Conversation Trust, visit their website.

Helladogmoms to Throw Pup Friendly Event & Support Local Rescue Group ARF -January 11th

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Natali Carrera
Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her twelve-year-old son, husband of 17 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works in the field of education and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.
Latest posts by Natali Carrera (see all)

Are you both local and a dog lover? If so, I have a fantastic event to share with you!

This Saturday, January 11th, dog-loving local lifestyle brand Helladogmoms will be hosting a special Launch “Pawty” celebrating their line of “dog-mom” and new “dog-dad” gear at The Shop at KLSD in Downtown Fresno. But wait, there’s more!

The Shop @ KLSD

Not only can you shop for super cute tees, hats, totes and other gear that proclaim your love for your furry companions, but you’ll also have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of dog-focused activities – and YES, your dog is welcome to join you for all the fun!

Huddlbooth photography will be present, to capture fun photos of you with your pup enjoying the event, and famed local artist Elowyn Dickerson will be on-site creating live, custom paintings of canine companions. Speaking of fame – possibly the most famous Fresno dog, Fresno State’s own Victor E. Bulldog will be on-site accepting pets and cuddles (but sorry, I don’t think he can sign autographs, given the whole lack of opposable thumb issue).

Treats from the Rolling Donut await you this Saturday!

If you and your pooch have a sweet-tooth during the event, the Rolling Donut truck will be there to take care of you donut cravings (their mini-donuts are among my most favorite foods in all of Fresno – they’re served hot, fresh and with your choice of a wide range of toppings) and Producer’s Dairy will be providing dog-friendly puppuccinos for Rover. 

Natali’s pup Rocco is thinking about those puppuccinos already!

As if all this wasn’t already fantastic for those of us with furry besties, Helladog moms will be donating a portion of all sales from the event to Animal Rescue of Fresno (ARF), a non-profit rescue group that works very hard each day to save homeless pets and help them find their forever homes. ARF is a group I’ve personally fostered dogs for in the past, and those who work with the organization are truly dedicated to doing what’s best for each future-pet, including providing for emergency medical treatment, surgeries and vet care for animals found or brought in in trouble. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase during the event, with sales benefitting ARF as well and prizes include a custom Helladogmoms bracelet made by local jewelry maker and designer Make Pie Not War and grooming services from Brittany’s Bark Avenue. 

If you love dogs, and all of this sounds wonderful to you – but you simply can’t attend the Launch Pawty this Saturday, you can still support ARF and their mission in a variety of ways. You can make an easy donation online here, you can donate items from their wishlist directly to the shelter, or you can volunteer your time in helping animals by working at an adoption event, helping with animal socialization at the shelter, or assisting with the promotion of the shelter and its mission. For more information on ways to support ARF, click here.

Christine Brown, Helladogmom’s founder with husband and furbabies

What’s Hot & Happening this Weekend

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Jason Farris
Head YES man at FresYes.com
I grew up in Fresno. Relaxed in its calm breezes, listened with my dad to the crack of the bat at little league baseball games when I was a kid and now take my son to do the same at minor league games. I broadened my mind at its schools (I went to high school right here at San Joaquin Memorial, and to college at Fresno State!) I love that if I drive for two hours in one direction, I can be in the mountains. For two hours in another, luxuriating on a California beach. I can enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of San Francisco or Los Angeles, but still be able to come home to relaxation, calm, and quiet.

I love where I live, and I also love what I do. I'm lucky to be able to work in a profession in which I get to build relationships; one that has me meeting new people each and every day and helping them to build new lives in my beloved city. I'm lucky enough to work in a profession in which I can marry cutting-edge technologies and marketing techniques to good, old-fashioned, nose-to-the-grindstone work. I am lucky enough to work in a profession that allows me to work as an advocate for my clients; to use every tool at my disposal to get a job done well for them, and with as little stress and expense as possible.

I love my city. I love my job. One inspires my excellence for the other.

Fresno? I say FresYES
Latest posts by Jason Farris (see all)

Looking for something to do this weekend? There are plenty of events happening in and around town including the Harlem Globetrotters at the Save Mart Center, a corn hole tournament at Goldstein’s and Brunchin with My Vegans at Tioga Sequoia. Here’s our full list of what’s hot & happening:

Friday

Saturday

Sunday