Vintage Days celebrates 50th anniversary with drone show, festivities

Fresno State’s annual Vintage Days festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary beginning Friday, April 19-21, bringing back longtime traditions dating back to the very first Vintage Days and, for the first time at Fresno State, a drone show.

The three-day festival is one of Fresno’s largest multi-day events, drawing an estimated 50,000 attendees annually, featuring food and game booths, live performances, an Anime Gaming Con, crafts faire, a kids zone and more.

Vintage Days’ Birthday Block Party will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and feature a Skye Dreams drone light show at the Resnick Student Union south lawn. The drone show will begin at 8:40 p.m.

Additionally, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell will be in attendance on Friday at 11:55 a.m. for an on-site proclamation at the performance stage.

In addition to the first-ever drone show, Vintage Days will also feature the new Anime Gaming Con, offering photo opportunities with cosplay characters, tournaments and anime vendors at the Resnick Student Union. Visitors can also meet special guest voice actors Courtney Lin and Ashley Biski on Saturday and Sunday.

Entry to the Anime Gaming Con is free, but paid wristbands are required to participate in gaming.

In addition to new attractions, Vintage Days will bring back old favorites, including pony rides, a petting zoo, trackless train, inflatables and more.

A $25 wristband will provide access to the Kids Zone, featuring inflatables, pony rides, a rock wall, petting zoo and reptile exhibit.

In addition to entertainment, Bulldog Bowl, Fresno State’s bowling alley, will offer discounted games and shoe rentals, as well as discounts on billiards for students and the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

This year will also feature entertainment by local bands Iwanaga, Dying Suns and Near Avenue, as well as DJs and dancers performing throughout the weekend.

Admission and parking to the event are free, with ADA-accessible parking available upon entry to the parking lot on Maple and Shaw avenues; free ADA shuttles will be provided to and from the event from the Maple roundabout.

To learn more about the event visit the @FSVintageDays on Facebook , Instagram or X .