Christine Rose is one of Fresno’s friendliest faces and most creative personalities. She is an owner and entrepreneur or multiple businesses (Hashtag Balance & Helladog Moms) as well as a writer for local news, a yoga instructor, a former announcer and hype girl at Grizzly Games, and she’s also a major event planner and community organizer. If she’s involved in an event, you can bank on it being well-planned and absolutely worth your time. Her next big event, #HASHTAGPRETTYFEST is coming up soon, and I know it’s going to be a great one – so I wanted to be sure to share it with you, dear readers, before tickets sell out! I chatted with Christine to get all of the details just for you. Read on to see if this October 16th event is perfect for you and your crew!
FresYes: Tell me all about this event! What was the inspiration behind it and what made you decide to put this together?
CR: Two years ago, when I moved the birthday flow outdoors, more than 200 friends joined me. That was also the day I launched Hashtag Balance, my yoga event group and clothing line. So this year, not only am I honoring this life-changing practice… it’s an opportunity to celebrate my 40th birthday and two years of Hashtag Balance!
I love being able to bring people together through this practice every time I lead sessions… but since this is a milestone birthday — I wanted to do it on a bigger scale. And this isn’t just about yoga — it means so much to me to be able to bring together so many of my friends who are healers, artists, and small business owners like me for a celebration of love and life.
I created Hashtag Balance as a way to encourage others to find balance everywhere they go – not just through but especially by practicing yoga. I love leading sessions at my home studio, but it’s also important for me to lead community sessions in different environments as a way to make it more accessible and approachable. I’m so thrilled to host #HASHTAGPRETTYFEST at Chukchansi Park because it has a special place in my heart (I worked for the Fresno Grizzlies for two seasons).
FresYes: Describe your ideal event attendee – what do you hope they come away with at the end of their experience?
CR: For someone who has never practiced yoga before, this is a great opportunity to try different styles of the practice and learn from some of my favorite instructors in the Valley. For someone who has been practicing for a long time, this is a great way to dig deeper into the practice in a fun setting.
I hope those who attend feel good knowing they did something to pour into their own cups, I hope they learn something new about themselves through the practice but also from the connections they get to make on and off their mats… and I hope they leave feeling inspired to take action in their own lives so they live more mindfully, and with gratitude.
FresYes: What are some of the features of the event you are most looking forward to?
CR: I am so excited to be bringing together my favorite yoga instructors in the Valley for #HASHTAGPRETTYFEST because a lot of the folks who I teach regularly have not explored other types of the practice. I also LOVE that I get to celebrate this day with my favorite local vendors who also just so happen to be my BFFs. One of the most exciting things are the collabs I’m doing with some of those vendors. Ampersand, The Blue Moon Juice Bar, and Rare Tea are all serving custom items that will only be made available at this festival. I’ve worked together with Ampersand to come up with a ice cream flavor that they’ve never made… and same with the Blue Moon Juice Bar. Rare Tea Fresno has also whipped up a fun and layered drink that is SO tasty!
There will also be great food to enjoy throughout the event from Anthony’s Tacos, La Jacka Mobile, Hummus Republic, and Salty Bitch Bakery.
Additionally, Make Pie Not War has designed a new stamp for her forever bracelet charms that people can only get at my event. And last but not least… Lips by BB has created a gloss with rose petals in it just for me and guests to my event. What I love about THAT is that we are donating a portion of sales to Magkaisa, a longtime club at Fresno State which helps educate students about Filipino culture. This is something I wanted to do to give back to a local nonprofit and also celebrate my own heritage as October is Filipino American History Month.
Other vendors that will be on site include Claybon, Pueblo Street, Fresloca, Dorothy Mae + Dominga, Kin + Clay, Joy’s Velitas, Positive Intentions + Crystals, DOS Fashions, Just Be Dope, La Luna + Rose, Sticker Supernova, House of Morii, and A Sensual Experience.
And last but not least, the afternoon will be filled with live entertainment! We’ve got a lineup of some of the most talented musicians, who will take turns hitting the stage at the Cantina. JazzMonique, Macchu, Arbie Grace, The Thorneberries, Brian Cade, Des Washington, Vibe Check, and DJ Kay Rich will not only grace us with their presence, but will set the tone for us to groove into the evening.
FresYes: What will the cost to attend be, and how can people secure their spot?
CR: For now there are two ticket tiers — General Admission ($40) allows guests to attend every class available that day and have access to all the shopping, food, and music. Friends who decide to get a VIP ticket ($100) will have the opportunity to try aerial yoga thanks to my friends at Aerial Space Downtown Fresno, enjoy a free shot from Blue Moon Juice Bar, a flight of 4 scoops of ice cream from Ampersand, a free Boba from Rare Tea, as well as score a swag bag with lots of goodies.
Also, anyone who purchases a ticket will be entered into a drawing to receive prizes donated by each vendor that will be there! Blue Moon Juice Bar, Rare Tea, Ampersand, and Fulton Street Coffee will also be serving up a limited number of freebies, so some lucky people can explore the yummies they’re serving up that day at no cost.
FresYes: Anything in particular guests should know/do/wear before they come?
CR: Guests should come dressed comfortably so they can flow with ease. I’m also asking folks to bring a change of clothes if they want to do a wardrobe change after all the movement through the day. Lastly, they should bring their own mats, and good vibes 🙂 A few other bits of info:
- Gates open at 9am
- Children get to attend for free (with purchase of an adult GA ticket)
- Free parking is available right across the street from Chukchansi Park
- Refillable waterbottles will be provided by Ecoü
- A Hydration Station will be provided by My Energy Agent
FresYes: Anything else you’d like our readers to know?
CR: This is a family friendly event! Kids get to come in free with the purchase of an adult ticket, and will get a chance to flow with one of my favorite instructors ever, Ali Thurner. Also, this is open to yogis of all levels- no experience is necessary. It really is a wonderful way to be introduced to the practice because so many forms will be offered in one place. Plus, how amazing is it that we get to flow on the field of Chukchansi Park in the middle of beautiful downtown Fresno!?
Ready to purchase your tickets? Click here to secure your spot!
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