FresYes Fest, a daylong festival celebrating local food, music, and businesses, will return to downtown Fresno on Saturday, March 21, from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. at 746 Broadway St. The free event is expected to draw more than 20,000 people for its 12th year.

“It’s downtown Fresno’s biggest party,” said Mike “Oz” Osegueda, CEO of Fresno Street Eats at the FresYes media event. “It’s just a great day to bring the community together, highlight the best of Fresno, and have a good time in downtown Fresno.”

Organized by Fresno Street Eats, Vendor Village, and Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company, the festival spans Fulton Street from Mono to Tulare streets, extends from Van Ness Avenue along Inyo Street into Chukchansi Park, and reaches Kern Plaza. This year, the partnership with the Fresno Grizzlies allows the event to expand further into the stadium.

“So inside Chukchansi Park, we have a whole family fun zone. We have tons of food trucks. … That’s the only place in the event that has a full bar,” Oz said. “Everything you like about FresYes out in the street is also out in the stadium this year.”

The festival will feature more than 50 local food vendors and about 80 local makers, crafters, and other vendors. Returning favorites include El Premio Mayor, Tacos La Vaporea, Extreme Forma, and new vendors like Get Loaded, a baked potato truck. Dessert options such as Ampersand Ice Cream will also be available.

‘It’s All Fresno’

“Everything here is all local,” Oz said. “It’s all Fresno. It’s about celebrating our city.”

Live music will take place across two stages — the 99 Stage and the 41 Stage, presented by Visit Fresno County — with this year’s headliner Strange Vine. One DJ stage and various family activities are also planned throughout the downtown footprint.

Oz said planning the event takes months and involves numerous partners, including Fresno Street Eats, Tioga-Sequoia, the Fresno Grizzlies, and the Downtown Fresno Partnership.

“It takes about six months and it takes a lot of people bringing their skills and talents to the table,” Oz said.

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