Entertainment in Fresno: Fresh, Free, Festive

If you plan to stay in Fresno, California and you're worried sick that there might not be any entertainment there other than raisins, worry no more. Fresno is definitely more than just growing grapes and letting them dry. The city offers a lot of forms of entertainment. Some are unique and some are the same usual things you will find in any other American city.

Fresno offers various special ethnic and cultural events throughout the year. Along the Blossom Trail, several activities are planned by different groups to celebrate the peak growing season. It usually starts in late February or early March. The Bob Matthias Fresno Relays are held every spring. The people of Fresno have been doing these relays for 75 years.

At Fresno City College, a Renaissance Festival is conducted every year. June marks the start of a series of free concerts in Woodward Park. A Japanese carnival, Obon Odori, is celebrated in July. Dance, music, games and food fill every corner of the city. Also in July, at Huntington Lake, the High Sierra Regatta takes place on two weekends. This is a very prestigious yachting activity. Come October, prepare yourself for the joyous Big Fresno Fair.

If you are a couch potato, don't think you will lose your love for television in Fresno. You can still continue having your regular dates with your TV screen. Cable TV is available all over the city. You can watch Fox, ABC, CBS, and other channels that are all available locally.

The film buff in you will have nothing to complain about because you can still see the movies you are itching to lay your eyes on at Broadway Faire, Signature Manchester, or Edwards Fresno Stadium. If theater is your thing, you can catch a play at the 2nd Space Theater or Roger Rocka's.

The city is also home to one of the country's best regional orchestras, the Fresno Philharmonic. Led by musical director Theodore Kuchar, the orchestra aims to offer first-class orchestral music and music education programs to the people throughout the valley.

Like most American cities, Fresno will not run out of entertaining things to offer to its inhabitants and visitors. While you're getting entertained, don't forget to enjoy the raisins.