FresYes Fest, an event that celebrates the very best of Fresno, takes place this Saturday. Are you ready?
No? Still have some questions? That’s okay. I’ve put together this post detailing everything you need to know — from beers and food to bands and FAQs — before you head out to Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co. Feel free to leave any lingering questions you have in the comments.
Event details
When: 1-11 p.m. Saturday, March 24
Where: Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co., 745 Fulton St., Fresno
How much: Admission is free.
Who: This is an all-ages event. You can even bring your well-behaved, chill dog if you have one.
What’s different this year?
In a word: size. FresYes Fest 2018 is literally bigger and better, taking up a larger footprint in downtown Fresno.
As part of the FresYes Fest expansion, organizers will shut down the portion of Inyo Street in front of Tioga-Sequoia and Fulton Street north toward Kern Street. They’ll also use the empty lot directly across from Tioga-Sequoia’s beer garden as a new family-friendly FresYes Activity Zone, as well as a space for DJs, dozens of vendors, and food trucks.
The layout now includes almost twice as much space, more entrances, triple the amount of bathrooms, and more beer stations. Check out this map to see the new footprint.
What beers will be available?
Tioga-Sequoia will serve these beers at every beer station:
- Half Dome Juicy Wheat
- General Sherman IPA
- 99 Golden Ale
- Zorro Especial Lager
And these beers will be at the two main bars:
- Fulton Street Hazy IPA
- Mt. Whitney Xtra Pale Ale
- Firefall Red Ale
- Double Dry Hopped General Sherman Unfiltered IPA
- RushHour Breakfast Stout
- Joaquin Murrieta Chile Beer
- Coco Joy Chocolate Coconut Milk Stout
- Piece of Cake Dessert Stout
- Red Sun Ryse Red IPA
- Café Tamarack Coffee Amber Lager
- Roast Gose Chile Tart Wheat
- FAFO Hazy IPA
Will there be a Tribute Beer like last year?
Last year, a very special beer was unveiled at FresYes Fest. The Take Me Out to the Ballgame Brown Ale celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Fresno Grizzlies, and sales from it benefitted the Junior Grizzlies, a challenger league that allows kids with disabilities to play baseball, and Fresno’s Sunnyside Little League.
There will be a special tribute beer released this year, too. It’s called “Pride of the Valley: World Champ IPA,” and it’s been named in honor of Jose Ramirez, the Valley’s newly crowned world boxing champ.
Like last year, Tioga-Sequoia will donate all money from sales of the FresYes Tribute Beer to charity. Ramirez has chosen to donate the money to help build a new church in Avenal. He explains: “It will help make a bigger church for the community. The one there now is too small and people stand up during mass or even listen outside. Building a bigger church will definitely help people go and keep their faith strong.”
Jose Ramirez also will make an appearance at the event, so be sure to show up before 5 p.m. for your chance at a meet and greet with the champ.
You can find the Pride of the Valley IPA at all beer stations (except those serving can beers only).
Can I take my beer onto Fulton Street?
Yep! Anywhere within the designated festival area.
Which food trucks will be at FresYes Fest 2018?
Everyone you know and love will be there, including:
- Ampersand
- Casa de Tamales
- Chicken Shack
- E’s Sol Food
- Gastro Grill
- Jay’s Specialty Ice Cream
- Jesse’s Bang’n Balls
- La Elegante
- Latin Urban Bistro
- Los Toritos
- Pita Kabob
- Pizza Pit
- Pop’s Emporium
- Rubia’s Churros
- Sanchez Corn
- Sno Café
- USA Hot Dogs
- Wafflicious
- WTF: Where’s the Food
Can I bring my own food and water?
Eh, kinda. Water you can definitely bring, but the point is to try out the different food trucks and beer, so no bringing in coolers of food or giant pizzas or anything.
What vendors will be on hand?
As usual, you’ll be able to buy more than food and beer at FresYes Fest. The following vendors will be on hand to either sell their wares or talk to you about other events and goings-on in Fresno:
- Bakagirl Jewelry
- Believe Mobile Boutique
- Blue Shell Gaming
- Bread and Butter
- Buck Naturals
- Candyman’s Corner
- Casual Glitz
- Chickies Tasty Treats
- CMAC
- Colt’s Jerky
- Craft Slinging Slasher
- Cupcake Pups
- Dear Danger Mobile Boutique
- Designs by Camille
- Dorothy Mae and Dominga
- Fathom FX Face & Body Art
- Fresno Bully Rescue
- Fresno Gift Pic
- Fresno Underground Art/Juliet’s Jewelry
- FresYes Realty (helloooooooo)
- Grandpa’s Popcorn and Sweets
- Grizzly Fest
- Hippie Kitty Creations
- Imm3rse.in Virtual Reality
- In-Tension Productions
- J.E Creations
- Lace Marie Eyewear
- Lady Heather Soap Company
- Mermaids & Co.
- Natasha Holland – Illustration & Cartography
- Nola Love/Beachy Life Design Co.
- Ooooby Fresno
- Pressing Buttons
- Product of Seele
- Raphio Chocolate
- Rebel Lion gear
- Root
- Rory’s Inspiration Lapidary Arts
- Scraps
- Sloppy Stitches
- The Body Building
- The Peculiar Palette
- The Purple Pig
- Valley Native
- Velvet Blush
- Vino & Bling Products
What bands are playing this year?
Take a look at this fantastic music lineup:
- Gang’s Back: This famed Fresno funk/R&B band is giving the FresYes Fest crowd its first live performance in five years. Gang’s Back was huge in the ’80s, performing with the likes of Kool & The Gang, Hall & Oates, Tower of Power, and War. They had two songs—”Hot Fun” and “Got My Eye On You”—on the Billboard charts in 1982.
- Sparklejet: Icons of the Fresno scene who have been playing booming rock tunes since the 1990s.
- White Glove Service: This thriving Fresno-based reggae band plays festivals and clubs up and down the state.
- Glen Delpit & The Subterraneans: From Fresno but inspired by New Orleans, this band brings home-cooked blues tunes to the FresYes menu.
- Sharks of Dance: One of Fresno’s best alt-rock bands of the moment, they’ll get you up and dancing.
- The Box: This ’90s tribute band is sure to get any party started with its mix of hip-hop and R&B. They’ll close out the night at FresYes Fest.
What if it rains?
FresYes Fest is a rain-or-shine event, so bring your umbrella if it looks like it might rain on Saturday.
When is the best time to go?
If you really want to avoid lines, be sure to be at the event before 4 p.m., as that’s when it tends to get really busy.
Should I bring a chair?
Sure, if you want a guaranteed place to sit. But Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co. reserves the right to, you know, move you and your chair if need be.
Are there in and out privileges?
FresYes Fest is a free event, so you can come and go as you please, but you do have to wait in line each time you leave the festival area. Different from last year is the fact there will be even more entrances. That should cut down on some of the wait time to get in.
…
Have fun out there, everyone. Make sure to bring your money for food and fun, and find a ride if you plan on drinking delicious, delicious beer.
I love where I live, and I also love what I do. I'm lucky to be able to work in a profession in which I get to build relationships; one that has me meeting new people each and every day and helping them to build new lives in my beloved city. I'm lucky enough to work in a profession in which I can marry cutting-edge technologies and marketing techniques to good, old-fashioned, nose-to-the-grindstone work. I am lucky enough to work in a profession that allows me to work as an advocate for my clients; to use every tool at my disposal to get a job done well for them, and with as little stress and expense as possible.
I love my city. I love my job. One inspires my excellence for the other.
Fresno? I say FresYES
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