July 12, 2025 — The Clovis Veterans Memorial District came alive Friday afternoon as Veterans GameFest 2025 opened its doors for a weekend of board games, tournaments, and community-driven fun — all in support of local Junior ROTC scholarships and veteran rehabilitation programs. The three-day event, organized by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 933 and staffed entirely by volunteers, runs through Sunday, July 13.
Held annually in Old Town Clovis, GameFest has grown into a unique blend of hobby and service. Brent Burdine, a retired veteran and Clovis resident, is one of the many local organizers making the event possible. As a member of both the Vietnam Veterans of America and a local tabletop club called the Little Generals, Burdine explained that everyone involved has “come together to help make GameFest happen.” The heart of the event, he said, lies in its purpose: “GameFest is a fundraising event for Fresno County Junior ROTC scholarship fund. All the proceeds, whether through the front door, through raffles, through selling of food, all go into the scholarship fund. All, everybody who works here, it’s all volunteers.”
Friday’s crowd reflected the event’s welcoming spirit, with families, longtime gamers, and first-time attendees sitting side by side at long rows of tables filled with card games, board games, and tabletop miniatures. The gaming options are broad and accessible, from casual general play areas to structured tournaments. “The type of games that we offer — we have card games, we’ve got board games, we’ve got miniature games, we have RPG games,” Burdine said, noting the mix of genres designed to appeal to a wide audience.
This year’s GameFest also includes a hands-on miniatures painting area, made possible through generous support from three local businesses: Legends Comics and Games, Enders Games, and Crazy Squirrel. Burdine said the shops have been instrumental, donating both supplies and prizes. “They provide a lot of prizes plus miniatures for people to come in and paint,” he said. Paint stations were busy Friday evening as participants of all ages tried their hand at customizing their own figurines, many for the first time.
Tournament gaming is also a major draw, with four separate competitions scheduled throughout the weekend. Though this isn’t a holiday weekend — which can limit turnout on Fridays and Sundays — organizers expect a full house on Saturday. “Usually Saturday is our busiest day,” Burdine said. “This is not a three-day weekend… so most people come in on Saturdays and on Sundays.”
While there’s no cash on the line, winners won’t leave empty-handed. Burdine explained that “often the tournaments are prize money — not prize money, there’s no prize money — there’s prize items. It could be more of the games, it could be more miniatures, it could be a variety of things.” Game manufacturers have sent prize packages to the stores running tournaments, and the stores often add their own contributions as well. “It’s for fun,” Burdine added, “and it’s fun getting more things you’re interested in.”
Recognition for tournament winners doesn’t stop at extra game gear. Many events include formal awards — trophies for first place and medals for second and third — which were provided by the Junior ROTC program itself. “It’s always kind of fun to play a good-natured competitive game,” Burdine said, “and if you win you get a trophy or a medal or something.”
With Saturday’s events now underway and the venue open until 10 p.m., attendees still have plenty of time to explore games, enter tournaments, and support the cause. Sunday’s final day will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The event is housed at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, 808 4th St., a central and accessible location within walking distance of several hotels, including the Best Western Clovis Cole, Comfort Suites Clovis, and Fairfield Inn & Suites. Weekend badges are $25 and include access to most events; individual tickets are free unless otherwise noted. More information is available at www.vetgamefest.org
As the dice keep rolling and the miniatures take shape, GameFest continues to showcase how a shared love of games — combined with community service — can leave a lasting impact on veterans, students, and families alike.