There’s something about sunshine, live music and the smell of deep fried pickles that really brings people together. This weekend, people of all ages flooded the streets of Old Town Clovis to enjoy the feel-good vibes at Big Hat Days.

Local vendors lined the 10-block long festival, selling and sharing art, food and music. Whether they spent their day browsing the booths, enjoying live rock and country music in the beer garden, or playing carnival games with the kids, the crowd at Big Hat Days seem to have nothing short of a good time.

Clovis High School alumnus Nelson Greaves attended Big Hat Days this year for the first time in 10 years. Though he lives in Los Angeles now, Greaves came to Clovis to visit just in time for his favorite hometown tradition.

“Every spring, it was like the biggest party that Clovis throws,” Greaves said. “I couldn’t come to visit home without coming to Big Hat Days.”

Greaves explained that the event was a huge part of his childhood and brought back great memories.

“Growing up, it was the thing I looked forward to more than anything else,” Greaves said. “Big Hat Days is great because people just let loose and it’s a fun time.”

Chris Brown, operations manager of Skylake Ranch Pomegranate Products, said he has attended Big Hat Days as a vendor since 2013. Even though Brown’s company is located in Chico, California, this event helped him create a fan base in Fresno. ­

Brown said that his customers in Fresno are supportive and loyal. Brown and other vendors keep coming back for more at Big Hat Days because they love the Clovis and Fresno communities.

“The nice thing about this event is that the people around Fresno are very familiar with agriculture and know about pomegranates,” Brown said. “We come back every year for our repeat customers.”

Event volunteer Beatrice Indart said this event isn’t only supporting local businesses and vendors, but it also brings positive tourism to Clovis.

“It’s a cute town, but we need to bring new people here, and this event does just that,” Indart said. “Big Hat Days brings life back to downtown.” Indart explained that she was happy to see such diversity in the customers and the vendors.

“It’s nice to see so many different faces in one place,” she said.

Indart worked the event as a volunteer through the Clovis Chamber of Commerce, which hosts Big Hat Days every year.

“The city of Clovis is doing a good job at motivating people to come downtown by hosting things like this,” Indart said.