Small town, big crowds and big hats encompassed Old Town Clovis’s 87th annual Big Hat Days celebration from April 5-6.
It is the largest two-day festival in the Central Valley, bringing in over 100,000 people each year. Big Hat Days began in 1938 as a way to honor Clovis’s farmers and cowboys. They wore hats to shield their skin from the sun’s harsh rays, which is how “Big Hat Days” got its name.
Now, it is one of Old Town Clovis’s biggest events, combining tradition with modern expression through various types of vendors and local businesses.
Attendees flaunted their unique styles, from mushroom hats to sports caps, throughout the streets of Old Town Clovis.
“I think it has a lot of cool vibes, the country and the city combined together, so it’s really nice to see how people come out and enjoy that,” said attendee Fatima Miranda.
Over 350 vendors sold items like hats, food, jewelry and trinkets. There were also , some would say frightening, carnival rides for all ages to enjoy.
Miranda was at Big Hat Days with her partner, Aleksey Vasilenko, who has been attending the festival for years.
“It gets better and better every year,” Vasilenko said. “My favorite part [is] the homemade trinkets people bring out.”
Over 350 vendors sold items like hats, food, jewelry and trinkets. There were also, what some would say frightening, carnival rides for all ages to enjoy.
“Just seeing all the different vendors come out and supporting our local businesses is a great thing,” said Josiah Carlo, a Big Hat Days goer. “There’s tasty foods and fun little places that you wouldn’t normally see otherwise.”
One of the vendors was Gary Christopher, who was selling coolers. It was the first time in years that Christopher attended Big Hat Days.
“I’ve had some returning customers that have come back and appreciated being here,” Christopher said. “The customers have just been stellar, really.”
Big Hat Days was accompanied by blue skies, warm weather and small-town charm.
“It’s a fun place to be; everyone’s wearing fun hats, hanging out, having good food and good times,” Carlo said.
