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FresYes Fest: The Big Downtown Party Expects 25,000 People Saturday
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 months ago on
March 20, 2025

FresYes Fest returns to downtown Fresno on Saturday. (GV Wire/David Taub)

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FresYes Fest organizers expect 25,000 people — maybe more — in downtown Fresno enjoying food, crafts, and musical acts Saturday.

Now in its 11th year, organizer Mike “Oz” Osegueda says FresYes Fest — which started as a celebration of Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co.’s anniversary — is Fresno’s preeminent party destination.

“Over the years, it kind of turned into the big Fresno downtown party,” Oz said. “We as a city need something like this … I love that over the years you’ve seen this whole area kind of morph and change.”

There will be 100 craft vendors, 60 food trucks, and two stages of live music highlighted by local hip-hop favorite Fashawn and rock ‘n’ roll violinist Patrick Contreras.

In addition, Atlas FC will square off against Cruz Azul in soccer at Chukchansi Park at 5 p.m. Both are members of Liga MX, the top professional division in Mexico.

“People want to be around a big thing. We want to be where the party is. And in Fresno, FresYes is where the party is.” — Fresno Street Eats President  Mike Oz

FresYes Fest runs 1 p.m. through 11 p.m. on Saturday on Fulton Street (between Mono and Tulare streets).

Last year, with the rain, the event drew 14,000. With mild weather forecast for Saturday, Oz expects double that.

People want big events, Oz said, especially after COVID.

“People want to be around a big thing. We want to be where the party is. And in Fresno, FresYes is where the party is,” Oz said.

City officials say that traffic will be significantly congested. Motorists are advised to allow for additional travel time during the events.

ROAD CLOSURES & DETOURS FOR FRESYES FEST

FresYes Fest Closures (Red)

  • Streets within the immediate festival area, including portions of Fulton, Inyo and Kern will be closed to traffic for the event.
  • Fulton is closed from Tulare to Cesar Chavez Boulevard
  • Inyo is closed from Broadway to Fulton
  • Mono is closed from Fulton to Broadway

Construction Closures (Orange)

  • Additional closures are in place due to ongoing construction along G Street and surrounding areas.

 

 

FresYes Fest returns to downtown Fresno Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. (FresYes Fest)

From Cambridge to Mexican Politics to Food Truck

FresYes Fest

When: Saturday

Time: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Where: Fulton Street between Mono and Tulare streets

Admission: Free

FresYes is best known for its blocks of food trucks. More than 60 are expected.

Edgar Gonzalez and his wife, Shirley Gonzalez, operated a roadside taco stand in Sanger and other locations. Then they started the Harry’s Mexican Grill truck in 2024. It is named after their first child. A second is on the way.

“Our main thing in here is prime ribeye tacos and the smoke brisket. We smoked the brisket for 14 hours and it’s a flavor that you can’t find anywhere,” Edgar said.

Edgar took a long route to gourmet food truck purveyor. Born in Fresno, his family moved to Mexico. He studied at Cambridge in England, before returning to Mexico — in politics.

He worked as chief of staff for Rafael Alejandro Moreno Cárdenas, governor of Campeche from 2015 to 2019. Moreno Cárdenas is now president of the PRI political party.

After an unsuccessful run himself for senator in Mexico, Edgar moved back to Fresno.

Fine beef distinguishes Harry’s from most Mexican fare. His options include smoked brisket, prime ribeye, steak, and barbacoa. And, his tacos and burritos come with what is listed as “Hawaiian pico,” but tastes like pineapple!

Edgar Gonzalez and wife, Shirley Gonzalez, own the Harry’s Mexican Grill food truck. Below: Steak tacos from Harry’s Mexican Grill food truck. (GV Wire/David Taub)

Potatoes and Donuts

Edward Moreno’s food truck combines two trends in food — tornado potatoes and Cheetos. Along with his wife. Cristina Olea, they operate the Papas Locas truck.

“It’s a fried potato on a stick and we put different ingredients like bacon, sour cream, nacho cheese. We also have the asada one that has nacho cheese, asada, and hot Cheeto dust,” said Moreno, whose day job is as a Fresno parks employee.

Cheeto dust is a trend inspired by street vendors, Moreno said.

Moreno and Olea started with a tent at ArtHop.

“In a few months, we started noticing that people were buying them, so we eventually just upgraded to a trailer,” Moreno said.

Above: Edward Moreno and his Papas Locas food truck. Below: The Cheeto Dust (left) and pico de gallo tornado potatoes at Papas Locas. (GV Wire/David Taub)

The Cheeto Dust (left, $11) and pico de gallo tornado potatoes($12) at Papas Locas. (GV Wire/David Taub)

Operating a food truck is a second career for James Pierson. Along with wife Lisa Pierson, they operate The Rolling Donut — mini-donuts with a choice of sweet toppings.

For 30 years, Pierson worked in the corporate world in uniforms.

“Thirty years was enough and it’s time to do my own thing,” Pierson said. Now in semi-retirement, Pierson enjoys picking and choosing his schedule. March, April, September and October are the busy months, he said.

Pierson considered a Texas-barbecue truck, but his daughter suggested donuts.

“There just wasn’t as many dessert trucks back in 2018 as there was other food trucks, so I just thought this was a better niche,” Pierson said.

Snickerdoodle is the most popular donut, followed by cookies and cream. Pierson’s personal favorite is sopapilla, cinnamon sugar with honey.

Operator James Pierson (below) offers the toffee crunch from The Rolling Donut, 10 for $7. (GV Wire/David Taub)
James Pierson of The Rolling Donut. (GV Wire/David Taub)

 

(FresYes Fest)

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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