The annual festival celebrated its 40th yeardrawing thousands to help support local businesses
This past weekend the 40th annual ClovisFest and Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly had more than 50,000 attendees and local business owners come out to support and give back to the community.
On Saturday and Sunday, hot air balloons were launched at the Clovis Rodeo grounds. There was also a children’s carnival and a street festival featuring more than 200 craft and food vendors.
“It’s a safe, clean, old-fashion family gathering,” Fran Blackney said, communications director and program manager of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce.
This year, new attractions included a Shock Top beer garden featuring 40 craft beers and Lucha Extreme wrestlers.
Clovis Chamber member Suzana Peckinpah, said that there was also a variety of entertainment for all ages to enjoy such as Disney characters, flamenco dancers, a skateboard show and live music featuring blues, classic rock and country artists.
Blackney said that ClovisFest serves several purposes however, the main of which is to help support small businesses in the Central Valley. Between ClovisFest andBig Hat Days (another Clovis supported festival), the two events generated over $8 million to help serve local businesses.
“For the Old Town merchants, we brought tens of thousands of people to their front doors, so they are able to take advantage of it,” Blackney said. “Sweetie’s Candy donates its profits to charities and we like to encourage people like that.”
Blackney said it is more than a great financial benefit to the community.
“For me the most enjoyment is seeing all the smiling faces go by, especially on the little ones,” She said. “They get so excited and they thank us for putting it on.”