by Kathy Eide Casas

Welcome to the 2023 ClovisFest and Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly taking place on September 23 and 24, 2023. Grab a blanket and a cup of steaming hot coffee and then…look up, up and up! The sunrise skies will boast a phenomenal display of hot air balloons as they ascend from the Clovis Rodeo Grounds to heights unknown for the Clovis Fest Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly!

The Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly has become the traditional start of ClovisFest, a two-day annual celebration in Old Town Clovis that covers all sorts of fun, food, and fairs. Always held on the last full weekend of September, this year’s festivities are scheduled for Saturday, September 23, and Sunday, September 24. On both days, Fun Fly-goers should plan on arriving at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds around 6:00 a.m. for the best viewing spots. The hushed whoosh of the balloons getting ready to take flight is a sensation you will never forget! Though you won’t be able to book a full sky ride on a hot air balloon for this event, tickets will be sold for tethered balloon rides. On the tethered rides, the balloon rises into the air for approximately a hundred feet, where you will stay for a few magical moments before descending back to the ground—what a memory-making experience! Tickets for the tethered rides are only sold the mornings of the Fun Fly and only on location at the Rodeo Grounds. So, if you’re wanting to experience that high-rising sensation, plan on buying a ticket!

Nicki Moore, a decades-long resident of Clovis, looks forward to ClovisFest, and especially the hot air balloons, every year! She said, “The Clovis Way of Life is so much more than just a slogan. I love that our community holds events like ClovisFest as a fun relaxing way to get together. It’s a tradition for our family. I used to take my kids and now I take my grandkids! We will start bright and early and will be watching the balloons rise over our neighborhood, and from there, we will head to Old Town for a ClovisFest breakfast. We can’t wait.”

Following the hot air balloons, both Saturday and Sunday, the ClovisFest will open promptly at 8:00 a.m. and will run until 5:00 p.m. each day. Pollasky Avenue between 3rd and 8th Street will be ready for the thousands of enthusiastic visitors and will be filled with vendors, educational displays, and the enticing aromas of everything from cotton candy to kettle korn to tri-tip sandwiches. The shaved ice is always a crowd-pleaser! There is something for everyone’s tastes.

This year’s ClovisFest will once again feature an all-time favorite, the International Village. There, visitors will be treated to live entertainment and cultural displays. Pollasky & 4th is where you will want to be for this diverse cultural adventure. There will be children’s activities, hand-crafted items, and a full assortment of delicious ethnic foods.

Kids will discover their own Inflatable Attractions Area on the east side of 4th Street & Pollasky Avenue (Near Two Cities Coffee). Stroll a little further, and find the Kids Zone, located on the east side of 5th Street & Pollasky Avenue. Plan on finding a large selection of fun kid-centered activities for all ages.

Matt Basgall, retired Clovis Chief of Police and current Clovis City Councilmember is a big fan of Clovis Fest and weighed in on what the Fest means to him, “Clovis Fest is a testament to the Clovis Way of Life where we all come together to celebrate as a community and enjoy the various booths displayed, lots of food and great friendships.

My family and I have enjoyed ClovisFest for many years. Clovis Fest provides an opportunity for families to spend quality time together while enjoying the simple things in life that Clovis Fest provides for all of us…visitors, residents, business and neighbors.”

Also don’t miss the Made In Clovis & Children’s Business Fair which will be located on Pollasky Avenue between 7th and 8th Streets and feature local creators and entrepreneurs showcasing their DIY, home-based, or start-up businesses!

To find out all Clovis Fest information, please visit clovischamber.com/events/clovis_fest for the most current information.

Kathy Eide Casas is a valley native and has been involved in politics, public policy and public relations her entire career. From the U. S. and state capitols to local projects, she has been a guiding force. Most recently, Eide-Casas completed the writing for two U Turns Allowed magazines, benefiting Focus Forward. Additionally, her work has run in several other local publications, including Valley Health Magazine.