Set your plans for Memorial Day weekend in Fresno. We’ll help with this quick events list
Memorial Day weekend, aside from getting us a federal holiday (read, a day off work) and a way to honor U.S. military personnel who died in service of the country (different from Veterans Day), also marks the unofficial start to summer.
Sometimes it even coincides with the start of summer heat.
As such, the weekend is traditionally a save-the-date for businesses and event organizers planning everything from somber graveside memorials to food-filled summer block parties. Here is a list of some events for Memorial Day weekend 2022.
Patriotic concerts and memorials
The weekend is meant as an “in memoriam.” It’s right there in the name.
Many local cemeteries, including Fresno Memorial Gardens on Cornelia Avenue west of Highway 99, will be open and hosting special services on Monday.
The Clovis Veterans Memorial District returns to in-person activities this Memorial Day, with a patriotic concert, Gold Star remembrance ceremony and screening of veteran documentaries. The event starts at 9 a.m. Monday at the memorial building at 808 4th St. in Clovis.
A Memorial Day service will be held at the Nisei War Memorial at Roeding Park on Monday. The event starts at 9 a.m. and will honor the 29 Japanese American soldiers killed in action during WWII. Staff Sergeant Kazuo Otani, who received the Medal of Honor for his service, will be recognized.
Hinds Hospice and the VA Central California Health Care System host a memorial observance on Friday at the River Park Shopping Center. The event starts at 6:45 p.m. in front of the Regal Edwards movie theater.
Fresno Community Concert Band celebrates Memorial Day with a Sunday afternoon performance at the Paul Shaghoian Memorial Concert Hall on the campus of Clovis North High School. “An American Tale” features “The Navy Hymn” and James Curnow’s “Where Never Lark or Eagle Flew,” plus an American flute salute from guest soloist John Barcellona. The concert starts at 3 p.m. Tickets are $14.
Baseball and block parties
For those looking to start the weekend early, the Fresno Grizzlies are in the midst of a home stand against the Stockton Ports that runs through Sunday. Thursday night’s game features the debut of Grizzly City Ale and the kick off of Tioga Thursdays, a partnership with Tioga Sequoia Brewing Company that offers two 19.2-ounce beers for $10.
Fresno rapper Fashawn will make an appearance at Chukchansi Park before the game and perform at a post-game concert at Tioga-Sequoia’s beer garden.
Fresno’s Tower District hosts it annual Taste and Toast of the Tower on Thursday. The ticketed event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and offers food samples and wine and beer tastings at two dozen area businesses. Tickets are $35.
Fresno Street Eats takes over three blocks of Fresno’s Chinatown (on Kern Street) on Friday for its 559 Night Market. The food truck and vendor block party starts at 5 p.m. and is free.
Across town, the city of Clovis is hosting one of its two annual Glorious Junk Days on Sunday. It’s for fans of all things retro, vintage, repurposed, architectural salvage, DIY and also just old rusty junk. The event runs 7 a..m to 3 p.m. along Pollasky Avenue. Entrance and parking is free.
On Memorial Day proper, the shops and eateries along Echo Avenue across from Fresno High School are closing off the street for their annual Echo Street Block Party. Enjoy food and more from Quesadilla Gorilla, Moto Delicatessen and Bodega, Ampersand Ice Cream and Kuppa Joy Coffee House while shopping at Forever Vintage, vivilyvintagehandmade, Tower District Records and other local vendors.
Music will be provided by DJ Mr. Leonard and Danielle Rondero and The Nitty Gritty.
High school athletes will be busy Friday and Saturday. The state meet track and field championships are at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis; 12 Central Section baseball and softball championships are split between stadiums at Fresno State and in Visalia.
Seasons open at Island Waterpark and Wild Water Adventure Park
Because it’s not summer until you break out the sunscreen and go careening down a water slide or just bop around in a massive wave pool, the area’s two water park open their seasons this weekend.
Both the Island Waterpark (off Highway 99 north of Shaw Avenue) and Wild Water Adventure Park (on Shaw Avenue east of Clovis) both open on Saturday.
Season passes for Island Waterpark are good for every regular operating day (including the Fourth of July) and available now.
Wild Water Adventure Park is using its opening weekend to introduce a new ride. The Green Mamba is a translucent drop-style slide with a loop.
This story was originally published May 26, 2022 at 5:00 AM.