October 19, 2025 — Old Town Clovis came alive Saturday night as hundreds of locals poured into the streets for the second annual WalktoberFest — an evening of live music, local flavors, and community spirit. Hosted by the Business Organization of Old Town (B.O.O.T.), the event featured tastings from more than two dozen wineries and breweries, food from local favorites like Bobby Salazar’s and The Porch at Nourish, and live music by the Southern Comfort Band.
B.O.O.T. Executive Director Heather Frantzich said the event has grown tremendously since its debut last year. “Tonight it’s hopping,” she said with a smile. “We have the most merchants we’ve ever had — 28 in total — and every shop I’ve passed by is full of people having a really good time.”
What began as a traditional fall wine walk was reimagined in 2023 as WalktoberFest, bringing both wine and beer to the tasting experience. “We wanted to change it up and involve wine and beer at the same time,” Frantzich explained. “People really loved it last year, so we brought it back even bigger for year two.”
This year’s event drew an estimated crowd of 800 to 850 guests — a mix of returning participants and first-time visitors who came ready to sample, shop, and socialize. The atmosphere, Frantzich said, felt even more electric than the first year. “People now know what to expect,” she said. “It’s more of a couples’ night — you’ll see a husband who doesn’t like wine having a beer instead, or vice versa. It makes it fun for everyone.”
As attendees wandered through Old Town’s illuminated streets, the sense of community that defines Clovis events was on full display. “Old Town is such a unique, amazing community,” Frantzich said. “The amount of support we get from residents who come out for every event — whether it’s the farmers market, Clovis Rodeo, or Big Hat Days — it’s incredible. It’s not just about having fun; it’s about supporting our mom-and-pop stores and helping them introduce their businesses to new people.”
The planning process for WalktoberFest begins six to eight months in advance, and Frantzich said her team is already preparing for 2026. “We’ll start talking about next year’s event in the next couple of weeks while everything’s still fresh in our minds,” she said. “We’ll look at what went great, what we can improve, and then start planning again in April for next October.”
For those who missed this year’s festivities, Frantzich had one clear message: “You don’t want to miss this event. It’s the perfect date night, a fun evening with friends, and a safe, friendly environment where everyone can relax and enjoy Old Town.”
WalktoberFest 2025 featured tastings from more than 15 breweries and 15 wineries, including Burning Sun, Full Circle, Mad Duck, Fresno State Winery, and Daou, among others. Guests also enjoyed food from Sunnyside Kettle Corn, Dad’s Cookies, Miguel’s, and Bobby Salazar’s, along with a photo booth provided by Valley Decors.
Sponsored by The Lincoln Pub & Grub and Bobby Salazar’s, WalktoberFest continues to build on the city’s tradition of blending local business, entertainment, and community pride — one pour at a time.