Fresno revitalizes urban culture with events

The curated articles show Fresno's efforts to revitalize its urban culture through diverse initiatives and events. Culinary achievements shine as two Fresno restaurants rank in Yelp's Top Places to Eat in 2025. Meanwhile, the city's fascination with UFOs persists, with sightings drawing curiosity about the paranormal. Cultural events like the Chinese New Year celebrations in Fresno’s Chinatown boost community spirit and economic growth. In a specific example, two Fresno restaurants, Heirloom and Saizon, earned spots on Yelp’s best restaurants list due to their excellent service and unique dishes.

The city also sees small-scale development initiatives aiming to revitalize neglected neighborhoods like Fresno's Chinatown, emphasizing community involvement and sustainable progress. UFOs intrigue locals, with Fresno ranking high among California cities for sightings, fueling discussions and social media interest. Cultural events, such as the annual lion dance parade, honor traditions while supporting local businesses and drawing crowds.

The Chinese New Year Lion Dancers visit customers at Colima Barbershop & Salon along Kern Street, one of various businesses the dance troupe sisted to welcome good luck and prosperity for the coming year Saturday morning, Jan. 25, 2025 in Fresno’s Chinatown. By ERIC PAUL ZAMORA

NO. 1: WATCH FRESNO’S CHINATOWN KICK OFF THE YEAR OF SNAKE WITH ELABORATE LION DANCE

Hundreds of Fresnans crowded the historic neighborhood toast to a prosperous year. | Published January 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Leqi Zhong

The patio area at Saizon, part of The Row, a new development at the northwest corner of Willow and Shepherd avenues. Photographed Wednesday, July 12, 2023 in Fresno. By ERIC PAUL ZAMORA

NO. 2: 2 FRESNO RESTAURANTS ARE AMONG YELP’S TOP PLACES TO EAT IN 2025. HERE’S WHERE TO GO

Yelp reviewers praised the restaurants’ ”unique and delicious food” and “super-friendly service.” | Published February 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Fernanda Galan

Unidentified flying object in the sky By Anton Petrus

NO. 3: MORE THAN 200 UFO SIGHTINGS REPORTED IN FRESNO COUNTY SINCE 1950S. IS IT A HOTSPOT?

“We’ve seen a few odd things,” the founder of Sierra Remote Observatories said. | Published March 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Fernanda Galan

An empty lot on Kern Street in Fresno’s Chinatown with downtown Fresno in the background on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Chinatown Fresno is sponsoring a workshop by the Incremental Development Alliance to help develop empty lots and unused buildings in the area. Inc Dev, is a nonprofit alliance that empowers small developers and local communities to create stronger neighborhoods through incremental, bottom-up development. By CRAIG KOHLRUSS

NO. 4: DEMOCRATIZING DEVELOPMENT. CAN GOING SMALL SOLVE NEIGHBORHOOD PROBLEMS IN FRESNO?

The Incremental Development Alliance is holding its next how-to workshop in Fresno on April 24. | Published April 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joshua Tehee

Ralph Edwards sings while, from left, Bobby Griffin, Gene Abella and Marco Flores with the band Vibe Check perform during a rehearsal in front of a home in Fresno’s Tower District in preparation for this year’s Tower Porchfest, on Thursday, April 17, 2025. By CRAIG KOHLRUSS

NO. 5: FRONT PORCH STAGES AND BACKYARD GREENROOMS — INSIDE FRESNO’S SIGNATURE MUSIC EVENT

“This day highlights the best of Fresno, in so many ways.” | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joshua Tehee

Vendors set up shop with clothing, food and drinks along Tuolumne Street’s sidewalk outside the Warnors Center for the Performing Arts during ArtHop Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. By ERIC PAUL ZAMORA

NO. 6: FIRST-OF-THE-MONTH STREET PARTY RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN FRESNO. BUT IS IT ARTHOP?

“We’re all hurting, wanting that day back.” | Published April 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joshua Tehee

The Ash City Roller Derby team poses at Cary Park on Thursday evening, May 6, 2025, in Fresno. By ERIC PAUL ZAMORA

NO. 7: A ROLLER DERBY RENAISSANCE IN FRESNO? MEET THE TEAM BRINGING THE SPORT BACK

“When people think of roller derby in Fresno, I don’t want it to ever be a question.” | Published May 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joshua Tehee

Fresno Unified School District Superintendent Misty Her hopes to improve student test scores. By JUAN ESPARZA LOERA

NO. 8: FRESNO SUPERINTENDENT HER MUST LEAD WITH CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS, TRANSPARENCY | OPINION

“True transformation of Fresno Unified’s organizational culture will require more than symbolic victories. “ | Published May 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Silvio Manno

The downtown Fresno skyline is seen in the foreground as snow caps the Sierra Nevada mountains and clouds hug the foothills in the background Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. Several days of precipitation have given the mountains east of Fresno a much-needed dumping of snow. CRAIG KOHLRUSS/THE FRESNO BEE

NO. 9: HOW BIG IS FRESNO? HERE’S HOW QUICKLY CITY IS GROWING AND WHY PEOPLE FLOCK HERE

Fresno ranks among the fastest growing metro areas in California, according to Census data. | Published June 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Fernanda Galan

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.