Fresno State’s 33rd Vintage Days Celebration – “Treasure Island” – opens Thursday, April 19, and will feature a new wine garden sponsored by the Fresno State Winery.
The first event of the four-day celebration is the Pancake Kickoff Breakfast, sponsored by the Fresno State Staff Assembly. It will be held from 7 to 10 a.m. Thursday in the Free Speech area. Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased on-site. Celebrity chefs will include Bulldog coaches Pat Hill, Mike Batesole, Adrian Wiggins, Reuben Nieves, Steve Springthorpe and Angie Cates. They will be joined by Provost Jeronima Echeverria, Channel 30 reporter Amanda Perez and others.
The official opening ceremonies begin at noon with a welcome message by Dr. Paul Oliaro, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, student wheel barrow races and tire flips and “strong man” demonstrations. The Golden State Strongman Challenge will be a featured attraction with more than 60 of North America’s strongest men competing Friday and Saturday for a chance to qualify for the national championship later this year.
The Fresno State Winery presents the new Vintage Days Wine Garden Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guests, who must be 21 or older to enter the garden, can meet winemaster Ken Fugelsang and student winemakers responsible for the award-winning wines that will be featured. Information about the university’s Viticulture and Enology program will be available.
Wine Garden admission is $10, which includes a special edition wine glass with the Vintage Days logo and three samples of featured wines, including 2004 California Syrah, 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 Pinot Gris, 2005 Barbera, 2006 White Zinfandel and Tailgate Red. Guests may also purchase individual glasses of wine for $3 to $6.
Other popular attractions at this year’s Vintage Days include the Crafts Faire, featuring 138 vendors selling handcrafted items; the Boomtown Carnival with food and game booths hosted by student organizations, inflatable attractions and other entertainment; and the Kid’s Day area which features arts and crafts, pony rides and a petting zoo.
For more information on Vintage Days, call 559.278.2741.
Vintage Days traffic notice: Due to Vintage Days events, Keats Avenue between Maple and Jackson avenues will be closed Thursday, April 19, through Sunday, April 22. Motorists are encouraged to access Parking Lots D and E via Barton Avenue. University Police Department signage and personnel will be posted as necessary. Traffic/parking questions: Amy Armstrong, UPD public information officer, at 559.278.6709.
Related link:
https://www.fresnostatenews.com/2007/04/vintagedaysstrongman.htm
