ClovisFest – Hot air balloons, Preacher Lawson and horse racing add energy to the weekend

What better way to welcome the fall season than with a variety of fun family events this weekend?

The ClovisFest and Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly entertain residents with colorful balloons floating into the sky. Oktoberfest in River Park offers the opportunity to sample local beers.

“America's Got Talent” comedian Preacher Lawson returns to the Tower Theater for a night of laughter after becoming an internet sensation. And the 93.7 KISS Country Summer Concert Series is coming to a close in Woodward Park, offering another chance to see a country music show with a strong lineup of artists.

Check out our expanded events list at this link.

93.7 KISS Country Summer Concert Series

The outdoor summer series concludes Thursday with performances by LOCASH, Bryan Martin, Dylan Marlowe and Meghan Patrick at the Rotary Amphitheater in Woodward Park.

LOCASH, a country duo consisting of Chris Lucas and Preston Brust, has placed three songs on Billboard's Hot Country Songs and 13 on the Country Airplay charts. Her highest-charting single, “I Know Somebody,” topped the country airplay chart in 2016. The duo also co-wrote hits like Keith Urban's “You Gonna Fly” and Tim McGraw's “Truck Yeah.”

Martin made his chart debut in 2023 with “We Ride”, which reached the Billboard Country Airplay chart and the Hot 100 in early 2024. He has opened for Morgan Wallen and Warren Zeiders.

Marlowe's debut single “Boys Back Home”, a duet with Dylan Scott, was released in December 2023 and peaked at number 36 on the US Country Songs chart and number 25 on Country Airplay. He also co-wrote Jon Pardi's hit “Last Night Lonely.”

Patrick, a Canadian country singer, is known for her No. 1 hit “Walls Come Down.” She has performed with artists such as Lady Antebellum, Dwight Yoakam, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore and Gord Bamford.

Get your tickets here.

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Preacher Lawson

Comedian Preacher Lawson comes to the Tower Theater on Friday. He is best known for his appearance on Season 12 of NBC's “America's Got Talent.”

Lawson's first stand-up special, “Get to Know Me,” premiered in 2019 on BET+ and later on Amazon. “My Name is Preacher” was released worldwide on YouTube on March 14, 2024.

In addition to his stand-up, Lawson runs a popular YouTube channel where he shares travel vlogs, vegan and vegetarian cooking guides, and music videos with a comedic twist and has over 640,000 subscribers. He also has 3.4 million followers on TikTok and has appeared in shows on HBO and Netflix.

Get your tickets here.

Oktoberfest in River Park

Oktoberfest at River Park features beer tastings, food, live music and games this Saturday. In collaboration with Barrelhouse Brewing Co. and Fresno Street Eats, the event will feature samples from eight local breweries, including Barrelhouse, Crow & Wolf, Tioga Sequoia, Two Ravens, South of Shaw, Incinerati, Reborne and Full Circle.

Live music will be provided by the Polkateers and DJ Matt D. Games include beer mug holding, beer drinking, keg holding and a best costume contest.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Clovis Culinary Center, a local nonprofit kitchen incubator for food entrepreneurs.

Get your tickets here.

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ClovisFest and hot air balloon fun flying

The Clovis Chamber of Commerce and Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino will host the 48th annual ClovisFest and Noble Credit Union Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly on Saturday and Sunday.

The event is free. Attendees can enjoy a variety of hot air balloons, unique craft vendors and festival food.

Visitors are encouraged to arrive at the Clovis Rodeo grounds before sunrise to watch the hot air balloons fly. The event offers photographers and videographers ample opportunity to capture colorful images.

For more information click here.

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Horse racing: Derby Day, Sunday Funday and Harris Farms Stakes

The fairgrounds hosts live horse racing on September weekends before the Big Fresno Fair begins.

So, dress up and head out for Derby Day on Saturday. The popular Kentucky Derby Hat Contest returns, inviting participants to show off their best hats and win cash prizes. Everyone who enters will receive a free reserved seat. Refreshing Mint Juleps will be served and the first 50 participants will receive a $5 bet voucher. Happy hour drink specials are also available.

Sunday Funday at the Races features music from DJ FS (Floating Species) and a kids zone with face painting and entertaining mascot racing. For those 21 and older, $3 off wine slushies and mimosas are available all day.

Don't miss the exciting $75,000 Harris Farms Stakes Race, a 6-stage sprint for ages 3 and up. The first 50 participants will win a pair of free trade fair tickets. Happy hour drink specials are offered.

Get your tickets here.

Listen:

A piece of comedy headlining Isaiah Washington, Friday

Stand-up comedian Isaiah Washington performs at DiCicco's Old Town Clovis on Friday. He is well known in the local comedy scene. Washington operates the Comedy Palace in Clovis. He has performed at the Hollywood Improv.

Get your tickets here.

“Zombie” Composer's Cut by Fabio Frizz, live score performance alongside the screening, Thursday

Composer, orchestrator and conductor Fabio Frizzi will perform the soundtrack to the horror cult classic “Zombie” by Lucio Fulci at a screening at the Tower Theater. He has written more than 100 soundtracks between cinema and television series and is the winner of numerous awards in Italian cinema. VIP includes a meet and greet.

Get your tickets here.

Grupo Frontera, Friday

The Mexican-American regional Mexican band from Edinburg, Texas will perform at the Save Mart Center on Friday. They covered Morat's “No Se Va,” which eventually went viral on TikTok and charted at the end of the year. In December 2022, a collaboration with Fuerza Regida titled “Bebé Dame” reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her first top 40 hit. In May 2023, the band achieved their first top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with the Bad Bunny collaboration “Un x100to”.

Get your tickets here.

Wine Down Fridays at Toca Madera Winery, Friday

The Wine Down Fridays series ends at Toca Madera Winery. Enjoy performances from The Box and Gen FM. Taqueria Gonzalez provides food, as well as wine specials and a sangria happy hour. Remember to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets for a relaxing evening.

Get your tickets here.

World Ballet Company: Swan Lake, Saturday

World Ballet Company: Swan Lake will dance its way into the hearts of attendees with this spectacular show at the Saroyan Theater on Saturday. The show features iconic moments such as the Dance of the Little Swans and Odile's 32 Fouettés, accompanied by Tchaikovsky's enchanting music. With hand-painted sets and over 150 dazzling costumes, this fresh take on the classic promises magic and beauty. Renowned professional dancers from more than 10 countries will take part.

Get your tickets here.

Kepler Kids Run, Sunday

The Kepler Kids Run takes place on Sunday at Woodward Park. Kepler Neighborhood School, a vibrant TK-8 public school in downtown Fresno, is committed to creating an inspiring new playground for its young learners. There is a 2 mile walk, a 5K run and a 10K run.

Get your tickets here.

Fresno Koi Show, Saturday-Sunday

The Central California Koi Society is hosting its 44th annual Fresno Koi Show Saturday through Sunday at Woodward Park next to the Shinzen Friendship Garden. Vendors offer koi food and products, art, unique home decor, gift items and local food trucks selling groceries for purchase. Koi and non-Koi items will also be raffled off or bid on in a silent auction. There will be a competition and prizes will be awarded.

Get your tickets here.

Weekend Blender, Saturday-Sunday

The Weekend Blender returns to Sierra Vista Mall on Saturday and Sunday. It's a convention that celebrates comics, science fiction, fantasy and cosplay. There will be vendors and booths selling comic books, toys, collectibles and memorabilia.

For more information click here.