September 26, 2025 — The early morning sky over Clovis will glow with color this weekend as the 50th Annual ClovisFest & Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly takes flight. The long-running festival, hosted by the Clovis Chamber of Commerce, kicks off Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27–28, combining tradition with new attractions for its golden anniversary year.
“This is our 50th anniversary of ClovisFest and our hot air balloon fun fly, so everybody loves coming to Clovis,” said Greg Newman, president and CEO of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce. “We get our pilots from all over California, a couple from Nevada, and they love coming to our community.”
The festivities begin before sunrise at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds, where balloon pilots plan to start inflating their colorful aircraft around 6:15 a.m., with liftoff at 7 a.m., weather permitting. “My favorite part about ClovisFest will be tomorrow morning when I see the children out here at the Clovis rodeo grounds and they see these balloons up close and personal,” Newman said. “They see them with the fire and the flames to get the hot air in the balloons, and when they take off.”
Following the balloon launches, Old Town Clovis transforms into a festival from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. More than 250 vendors will line the streets with food, crafts, and goods, while families can enjoy a kids zone featuring face painting, pony rides, and hands-on activities. “We have new food and craft vendors. We have a great collection of balloons that are going to be taking off Saturday and Sunday,” Newman said. “There’ll definitely be more variety than ever before.”
The cultural highlight of the weekend returns with the Fresno/Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau’s International Village, featuring live performances and entertainment. The “Made in Clovis” section will also showcase local entrepreneurs and inventors.
For Newman, ClovisFest is more than a weekend celebration; it’s a symbol of community. “I think it’s just part of the fabric of our community,” he said. “ClovisFest, Big Hat Day, the Clovis Rodeo, our Christmas parade—Clovis knows how to throw a good party. We’re pretty good at it, from the rodeo to all the great things we do in Old Town, and this ClovisFest is just a part of it.”
Admission to ClovisFest is free. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early at the rodeo grounds for the best view of the balloon launches and then head into Old Town to enjoy a full day of festivities.