Fresno State will celebrate campus pride with I Heart Fresno State Week, a five-day series of free student events running from March 16-20 on campus.
Organized by Spotlight Events, the week will feature food, games, entertainment, fitness activities and a student vendor market.
The annual event is designed to bring students together through interactive experiences, while highlighting the sense of community that defines Fresno State.
Gizzel Velasco, a senior communications major, said campus events help students feel more connected to the university.
“I love attending events that happen on campus because it allows me to feel involved and connected to our campus,” Velasco said. “Fresno State feels like a home away from home.”
The week will begin on March 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Memorial Gardens with the official I Heart Fresno State kickoff event.
Students can enjoy bacon-wrapped hot dogs, cotton candy and aguas frescas while participating in crafts, photo booth activities and campus organization booths. Students who take part in activities will also have the chance to receive one of 600 limited-edition T-shirts.
Tuesday’s event, Bowling, Billiards and Karaoke, will take place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Bulldog Bowl. The St. Patrick’s Day-themed evening will feature free bowling and billiards, karaoke performances and themed drinks and candy.
Midweek festivities continue March 18 with the I Heart BBQ Campus Cookout from 6-8 p.m. at Maple Mall. The cookout will feature Chuck’s BBQ along with activities such as a mechanical bull, bounce house, boot decorating and line dancing lessons. Attendees will also have the chance to receive one of 500 Highland cow “stuff-a-plush” giveaways.
On March 19, the Spotlight Market will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Memorial Gardens. The market will include more than 20 student and alumni vendors selling handmade goods, vintage clothing, accessories and other items. Students can also enjoy live music, popcorn and free stickers while supporting local creators.
The week will conclude on March 20 with Heart and Hustle, a strength fitness class held at 11:30 a.m. in the Student Recreation Center. The guided workout session will be open to students of all fitness levels and will include goodie bags and giveaways for participants. Space for the class is limited to the first 30 students.
Beyond the entertainment and giveaways, the week highlights the sense of community many students experience at Fresno State.
Senior electrical engineering major Juan Aragon said events like those in I Heart Fresno State Week help students build connections and discover new opportunities.
“Loving Fresno State means being connected to a community that helps you feel like you’re part of something bigger,” Aragon said. “It brings you closer to opportunities and the goals you set for yourself, even if those goals are just getting above average on the upcoming midterm so you can finally fix your sleep schedule.”
Aragon added that campus events have helped him meet students with similar interests.
“The events Fresno State puts on allowed me to meet people with similar hobbies and interests that I have, and it even helped me go to a conference I thought I had lost any chance of attending,” Aragon said.
All events during I Heart Fresno State Week are free and open to current Fresno State students while supplies last.
