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

ClovisFest and the Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly will entertain residents with colorful balloons floating into the sky. River Park’s Oktoberfest offers a chance to sample local brews.

“America’s Got Talent” comedian Preacher Lawson returns to the Tower Theatre for a night of laughter after becoming an internet sensation. And, the 93.7 KISS Country Summer Concert Series wraps up at Woodward Park, offering another chance to catch a country music show with a strong lineup of artists.

Check out our expanded list of events 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 charted three songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and 13 on the Country Airplay chart. Their 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 reached No. 36 on the US Country Songs chart and No. 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 Canada Country hit “Walls Come Down.” She has performed alongside 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 hits the Tower Theatre 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 on BET+ in 2019 and later on Amazon. “My Name is Preacher” was released globally 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, amassing 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 at River Park

Oktoberfest at River Park this Saturday will offer beer tastings, food, live music, and games. In partnership 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 will include stein holding, beer chugging, 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 Fly

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 foods.

Visitors are encouraged to arrive at the Clovis Rodeo grounds before sunrise to watch the hot air balloons take flight. The event offers ample opportunity for photographers and videographers 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 to Derby Day on Saturday. The popular Kentucky Derby Hat Contest returns, inviting participants to showcase their best hats for a chance to win cash prizes. Everyone who enters will receive a free reserved seat. Refreshing Mint Juleps will be served, and the first 50 attendees will receive a $5 betting voucher. Happy Hour drink specials will also be available.

Sunday Funday at the races will feature music by DJ FS (Floating Species) and a Kids’ Zone with face painting and entertaining mascot races. For those 21 and older, $3 off wine slushies and mimosas will be offered all day.

Don’t miss the exciting $75,000 Harris Farms Stakes Race, a 6-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up. The first 50 attendees will win a pair of free fair admission tickets. Happy Hour drink specials will be provided.

Get your tickets here.

Check it Out:

Slice of Comedy Headlining Isaiah Washington, Friday

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

Get your tickets here.

‘Zombie’ composer’s Cut by Fabio Frizz, Live Score Performance Alongside Screening, Thursday

Composer, orchestrator and conductor Fabio Frizzi will perform the soundtrack for the horror cult classic Lucio Fulci’s “Zombie” with a screening at Tower Theatre. He has 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 Save Mart Center on Friday. They covered Morat’s “No Se Va,” which eventually went viral on TikTok and would chart at the end of the year. In December 2022, a collaboration with Fuerza Regida titled “Bebé Dame” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs charts and peaked at 25 on Billboard’s Hot 100, becoming their first top 40 hit. By May 2023, the band achieved its first Top Five 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 wraps up at Toca Madera Winery. Enjoy performances from The Box and Gen FM. Taqueria Gonzalez will provide food, and wine specials and a sangria happy hour will be available. 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 their way into the heart of those attending this spectacular show on Saturday at Saroyan Theatre. The show will feature iconic moments like the Dance of the Little Swans and Odile’s 32 fouettés, set to Tchaikovsky’s enchanting music. With hand-painted sets and over 150 radiant costumes, this fresh interpretation of the classic promises magic and beauty. It’ll include renowned professional dancers from more than 10 countries.

Get your tickets here.

Kepler Kids Run, Sunday

The Kepler Kids Run takes place at Woodward Park on Sunday. Kepler Neighborhood School, a vibrant TK-8 public charter in downtown Fresno, is on a mission to create an inspiring new play yard for their young learners. There’s a 2-mile walk, 5K and 10K run.

Get your tickets here.

Fresno Koi Show, Saturday-Sunday

The Central California Koi Society is hosting its 44th annual Fresno Koi Show on Saturday-Sunday at Woodward Park next to Shinzen Friendship Garden. Vendors will offer koi food and products, art, unique home décor, gift items, and local food trucks with food available for purchase. Koi and non-koi related items will also be raffled or available for bidding in a silent auction. There’ll be a competition and they’ll be handing out awards.

Get your tickets here.

Weekend Blender, Saturday-Sunday

The Weekend Blender returns to Sierra Vista Mall on Saturday and Sunday. It’s a convention celebrating comic books, sci-fi, fantasy, and cosplay. There’ll be vendors and booths selling comic books, toys, collectibles, and memorabilia.

For more information click here.