With inflation, it may seem like a challenge to find affordable fun this summer. No need to worry. Many options won’t cost you a dime in Fresno and surrounding communities. Here’s a list:

Farmers Markets

If you want to get fresh produce and be a part of the community, you can opt for the River Park Farmer’s Market, the Old Town Clovis Farmer’s Markets, or the Vineyard Farmers Market.

The Farmers Market at River Park has been Fresno’s Favorite Certified Farmer’s Market for more than 20 years. You can purchase all kinds of fruits and vegetables from local farmers. There’s arts and crafts. Local food vendors and from around the state offer their eats. Each one is a different theme referencing a movie or a TV show, and have people dress up to take photos with kids. It’s operated by the California Fresh Farmers Market Association. It takes place on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Old Town Clovis Farmers Markets take place on Friday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 11:30a.m. They sell fresh produce and local products on Pollasky Avenue. Food vendors offer great variety. There’s fun for adults and kids. Fridays have live music. Saturday mornings are a chill atmosphere. With both of them you can enjoy the small-town feel.

The Vineyard Farmers Market provides the finest quality, locally grown, fruits and vegetables direct from growers and is dedicated to providing your family with a healthy grocery experience. It’s  open twice a week, and it’s year-round on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 7 a.m. to noon — rain or shine.

Check out CFFMA’s list of farmers markets at this link.

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Visalia Fox Theatre Movies

The Visalia Fox Theatre has a free summer movie series thanks to local sponsors. They take place on the weekends.

Friday, July 19—”How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” (2019) at 6 p.m. Imagination Dragon from ImagineU Children’s Museum will be there to pose for pictures. Film buffs have an option to buy an interactive kit for $5 with script and toys to use during the film. For those not buying the kit, there will be a free script to interact with the film without extra toys. Sponsored by Tachi Palace.

Saturday, Aug. 3—”Nacho Libre” (2006) at 3 p.m. Enter the costume contest in your favorite Nacho Libre costume. Sponsored by Tachi Palace.

Friday, Aug. 16—”The Greatest Showman” (2017) at 6 p.m. Hugh Jackman stars in this fictionalized musical about the creation of Barnum and Bailey Circus, which features the Golden Globe winning song “This Is Me.” Sponsored by Carolina Perry.

Journey to Our Beautiful Lakes

For the cost of gas, you can enjoy a day of refreshing weather and time on the public beaches at Shaver and Huntington Lakes.

Each of those communities also offers an array of free or low-cost activities.

For example, this weekend and next you can take in the High Sierra Regatta at Huntington Lake, one of world’s best sailing lakes because of its steady predictable winds.

Sit down in a chair at the Lakeshore beach and hike over to the Bear Creek “point” and enjoy the action.

Party Outback Tribute Series at Chukchansi

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino’s 2024 Party Out Back Tribute Series has a fantastic lineup of iconic tribute bands. Attendees will enjoy the shows under the stars in Chukchansi Gold’s Outdoor Pavilion. All shows are free with a Chukchansi Rewards Card. Must be 21+ to attend the concerts. The shows start at 8 p.m. on select dates on a Friday. Here’s the lineup.

Red Voodoo (New rock originals, classic rock hits and special tribute to Van Halen), Friday, July 12.

Stealing Nicks (The ultimate tribute to Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac), Friday, Aug. 16.

The Rock Allstars (Members of legendary rock music groups performing all their greatest hits) Friday, Sept. 6.

Just The Tips Comedy at Di Cicco’s in Old Town Clovis

My friend and comedian Danny Minch puts on these comedy shows on Wednesdays at Di Cicco’s in Old Town Clovis. They’re called Just The Tips. It’s free to attend but tipping is encouraged. He brings nationally touring comedians. And it’s also an open mic, so if anybody wants to try out their comedy chops now is your chance. The shows start at 7 p.m. Here’s the lineup:

Tatiana Cwiklinski, July 17

Paul Douglas Moomjean, July 24

Mickey McKernan, July 31

Rick Storer, Aug. 7

Adam Chong, Aug. 14

Find more information here.

Clovis Botanical Garden

Walk through and discover incredible plants growing at the Clovis Botanical Garden. Learn about its organizers’ mission to promote water conservation in Fresno County and beyond. The garden is free for all ages to enjoy. The pavilion is where you can host an event. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Clovis Trails

Bike, skate, walk, jog — travel along the Clovis Trails. The expansive trail runs through the city of Clovis with stops at several kid-friendly parks, the Clovis Botanical Garden, and Old Town Clovis along the way. The trails are free and open to the public seven days a week.

Pines Village Arts & Craft Fair

You can support local artists and vendors by shopping for unique goods and custom gifts at The Pines Resort, Bass Lake. There’s 20-plus vendors at each event selling items such as clothing,  accessories, candles, jewelry, woodwork, metal art, fine photography, ceramics, and pottery. All that while having access to the lake. They’ll be on select dates Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Live Music Sundays

Some of the top wineries in the area put on live music free to the public on Sundays. What better way to enjoy live music than with a glass of wine?

Engelmann Cellars: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

They’re family and pet friendly. Bring your own snacks or purchase some from their wine friendly snacks.

Toca Madera Winery: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Bring lawn chairs and a picnic blanket and enjoy the show.

Respite by the River

Take a break from the rush of everyday life and join the River Parkway Trust for a Respite by the River. Bring your picnic dinner, blanket, and lawn chair, and relax at the River Center while you enjoy the music of local musicians followed by a reading from a Central Valley author.

The evening schedule is as follows:
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Live dinner music, bring your dinner, lawn chair, or blanket
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Reading by acclaimed author

This takes place on selected Thursdays.

Parks With Splash Areas

If you want to be active and have the kids run around while staying cool, these parks are your best options.

Todd Beamer Park offers shaded play areas, splash area, dog park, and skate areas.

Figarden Loop Park has 5-acre green space with a baseball field, playground and splash pad, plus picnic tables and barbecues.

Here are other Fresno parks with splash pads:

• Dickey Playground – 50 N. Calaveras St., Fresno, CA 93721
• Inspiration Park – 5770 W. Gettysburg Ave., Fresno, CA 93722
• Martin Ray Reilly Park – 750 N. Chestnut Ave., Fresno, CA 93727
• Melody Park – 5935 E Shields Ave., Fresno, CA 93727
• Mosqueda Community Center – 4670 E. Butler Ave., Fresno CA 93702
• Vinland Park – 4695 E. Gettysburg Ave., Fresno, CA 93710
• Fink White Park – 535 S. Trinity, Fresno, CA 93706 

Activities For Youngsters and Elders

There are plenty of activities to participate in before the school year starts for the kids and for seniors to stay active. The city of Fresno has a calendar showcasing events taking place for both age groups. For kids, there’s camps for space, cooking, dressing up like superheroes, and instructional activities like BMX. For older individuals to stay cool while mobile there’s senior water aerobics. For families there are fitness days and bingo nights.

For more information click here.

Fresno County Public Libraries

The Fresno County Public Libraries have programs and performances for all ages. These include reptiles and animals, battle bots, crafts, movies, science and space exploration, bubbles, magic, and more. Each local library has something going on.

For more information click here.