Fresno State’s annual Vintage Days spring festival celebrates 50 years April 19 through 21, offering family-friendly fun with longtime traditions dating back to 1975, as well as new, modern twists.
The free, public event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 21.
The three-day festival is Fresno State’s largest student-planned celebration that is expected to attract more than 50,000 people. This event will feature Anime Gaming Con, food and game booths, live performances, a Crafts Faire, a Kids Zone, a Beer and Wine Garden and, exclusively for this year, a Birthday Block Party with the first on-campus drone light show.
The Birthday Block Party, featuring the Skye Dreams drone light show, is from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, at the Resnick Student Union South lawn. The drone light show will begin about 8:40 p.m.
Guests will experience three different music genres through performances by local bands Iwanaga, Dying Suns and Near Avenue. Those attending the Birthday Block Party can enjoy snacks, get tattoos without the commitment through an airbrush, pose for a caricaturist and grab a balloon crown for a photo opportunity. The event is free to attend for all ages.
Throughout the weekend, various student clubs and organizations will host booths with food and games representing the diversity of the university in an effort to fundraise for their organizations. The Crafts Faire draws over 150 vendors featuring hand-crafted items throughout the Western United States.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell (District 4) will be at Vintage Days at 11:55 a.m. Friday, April 19, for an on-site Proclamation to the Student Committee at the performance stage.
The new Anime Gaming Con will feature tournaments and photo opportunities with cosplay characters and anime vendors at the Resnick Student Union all weekend long. With the purchase of a wristband, guests can enjoy per-day unlimited video games, VR experiences and arcade games. Special guests Courtney Lin and Ashley Biski, voice actors, will make an appearance all day on Saturday, April 20, and Sunday, April 21. Entry to the Anime Gaming Con is free, but the purchase of a wristband is required to participate in gaming.
The Kids Zone will feature pony rides, a petting zoo, a trackless train, inflatable attractions, bubble play and free arts and crafts. A $25 wristband will provide access to inflatables, pony rides, a rock wall, a petting zoo and a reptile exhibit, as well as the Anime Gaming Con unlimited gaming area. Story Time presented by Jumpstart will feature children’s books being read aloud throughout the weekend. The schedule will be available at fresnostate.edu/vintagedays.
A Vintage Days special will be available at Bulldog Bowl, Fresno State’s bowling alley, located at the lower level of the University Student Union. One game of bowling, including shoe rental, will cost $5. Any additional games will be available for purchase at $2.75 each game. Billiards will be $5 per hour. These rates are available for students and the general public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20.
Limited edition Vintage Days T-shirts from Print and Glory will be available for purchase at $25 per shirt. These live, screen-printed T-shirts will be available for purchase all Vintage Days weekend.
From musicians, bands, DJs and dancers, there will be performances throughout the weekend featuring artists from throughout the Central Valley.
The Beer and Wine Garden will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, April 19, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 20, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 21.
There will also be a gallery display of Vintage Days throughout the past 50 years featuring artifacts from the decades will be available every day throughout the event.
Admission and parking to Vintage Days is free. No pets are allowed except service animals.
ADA parking is available as you enter from the parking lot on Maple and Shaw avenues. A free ADA shuttle will be provided to and from Vintage Days from the Maple roundabout. Guests are encouraged to enter campus near the closest parking lot located on Maple and Shaw avenues.
Connect with @FSVintageDays on Facebook, Instagram or X. For more information, visit the Vintage Days website at fresnostate.edu/vintagedays or contact Student Involvement at 559.278.2741.
