The pride I feel as I walk down Clovis Avenue can only be expressed in one sentence… “Ye-Haw!”
And this is said not to derogate. I love Clovis, CA this time of year. The Big Hat kicked off the festive April Fools Day and followed through to the end of the ever-popular shopping spree of the month.
Kudos to the flag running Shaw… excuse me… “Avenue”. They add extra flattery and constantly remind Clovis, CA’s way of life.
In fact, they now wave maroons and golden flags for miles of the “Avenue” with pictures of bucking riders like floating invitations to the upcoming rodeo. For a time they are turned, according to the events to come. Come July, I look forward to seeing those flags in red, white and blue, waving tribute.
One of my favorite Clovis, CA hot spots is almost here. Yes, mostly. I’m talking about the Friday afternoon Farmers’ Market. The agriculture-rich plume is completely combined with the central Valley central mixed with the narrow sense of Clovis.
I also don’t sell at the grocery store from May through August. Why travel in a cool, pleasant environment, when you ask for all the fresh produce, lingering in the brown wooden grill, in the back of the truck bed of the courier every Friday afternoon? I hate to beat you to the kind of ambiance that only the central CA Valley could provide.
Speaking of fruits, I also like strawberry stands with hand-painted, often with signs dotted around. the outermost city. They are dormant now, but through the summer there is no better treat than a basket of sweet, tangy, unripe strawberries.
Off the top of my head I can think of five fruit stands near the house, but I know there must be more. In a town of 85,000+ people, even four curbside “markets” is a big number. From experience I have found that at the corner of Herndon and Tollhouse stand the largest and most beautiful strawberries, but at Shaw Avenue, just east of the control, the sweetest nab.
Yes, it’s the little things that make Clovis, CA so dear to my heart.
For example, when traveling east from Fresno, there is a city limits sign posted along Bullard Avenue just past Willow. Approach The color is blue and it informs the motorists of the elevation and the inhabitants of Clovis.
Our family ritual has become this: I drive home from Fresno; kids in tow They love to look for a sign to let them know that they are returning to Clovis. As you drive past the title, we shout “NOW” and we all throw our hands in the air and shout. Goofy? Ok… yes. But waiting for the sign always makes it a little more fun across town.
Sierra Vista Mall is soon to be the noise of Hanoi. The multi-plex theater is scheduled to open in November, and we’re counting down the days when our family can ride our bikes to the mall and get a hug.
Certainly River Park is all the rage now, but in our eastern Clovis; It’s a long drive. Granted, unless someone from the Central Valley made such a statement. After all, the drive to River Park is all of 20 minutes, but when the heart of Clovis is just down the street, driving that 20 minutes almost feels like I wasted part of my day.
That which the town signifies to me is, however, distinguished and subtly distinguished by its appearance; one that my northern neighbors don’t even notice.
Every day I pass by the newly constructed large rectangular blue and metal sign that sits in the center of the Shaw and Armstrong divider. A sign west on Shaw greets visitors with “Ave to Clovis- The Avenue.” Driving east Shaw signs read, “Thanks for visiting – Avenue.” The shape of the vest adorns the lower right-hand corner.
This sign is the epitome of that Clovis, CA, always polished, never daunting, yet always making a bold statement. The annual event and sense of pride that spreads throughout the town is so rich in tradition. From winning schools, to an impressive police force, to a nationally recognized rodeo, Clovis, CA is a small and strong community; one in which I call myself proud, not only my house, but my way of life.
