The numbers are starting to come in from the BIG Hat Days weekend and they are jaw dropping. After record setting food sales in 2014, this year is starting out even bigger. After having two beer gardens in 2014, this year’s is even bigger with just one. After having a huge number of applications in 2014, this year’s stack was even larger. Several long time craft vendors reported sales that were the biggest of their careers.
Anticipating the huge numbers, we actually expanded the event one more block that was filled with people.
We’re considering renaming our festival “WOW!”
We could feel the excitement building based on the number of phone calls and publicity from local media. We also turned away dozens of wishful vendors who called during the last weeks hoping for one of the hundreds of coveted spaces that had sold out quickly. Based on early numbers for ClovisFest in September, they took the hint and are already signing up for that event.
The crowds started filling the streets first thing in the morning and only grew from there. By 1 pm, the food court was jammed and the beer garden line extended down the alley. Little ones squealed on the carnival rides and Sweetie’s Candies was handing out cotton candy as fast as she could.
The most enjoyable feature was all the happy families having a good time. BIG Hat Days is one of the most treasured traditions in Clovis that brings in over 130,000 visitors to the streets of Old Town whose merchants enjoy one of their most profitable weekends.
The Clovis Chamber thanks all the people who provide assistance during our events. We appreciate the Clovis PD and Fire who provide much needed safety and health protection. Our dozens of volunteers who help with the set up and running the beer garden are invaluable. Boy Scout Troop 1864 keeps the venue immaculate, constantly emptying the trash and cleaning off the tables.
And we certainly couldn’t provide this top quality entertainment without our generous sponsors. Joining Title Sponsor Table Mountain Casino are Michelob Ultra, Pepsi, IHeartMedia, home of PowerTalk 96.7, CVES, Moore than SEO, KAIL TV, the Fresno Bee and Clawson Motorsports.
After we get some much needed rest, we will start working on ClovisFest. We know there are a a lot of anxious people chomping at the bit to secure a space. We’re just waiting for the phone to start ringing off the hook.
