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.

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.

From Cambridge to Mexican Politics to Food Truck

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!

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)

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.