Fresno’s next ArtHop will not be outside: ‘Consequence of success’

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – Fresno’s next ArtHop will be a strictly indoor-only event – and it will be watched over by Fresno’s Code Enforcement “to ensure that those rules are enforced.”

That announcement was made by Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias on Friday, revealing that ArtHop will be restricted to indoor activity only for the August 1 event. Any outdoor activity including pop-up vending and food trucks will be strictly prohibited. Arias cited bigger crowds, potential health and safety concerns, and the heat as cause.

“In that spirit, we’re announcing today that the upcoming ArtHop on Thursday, August 1st, will not feature any permitted or unpermitted outdoor events, vending or entertainment,” Arias said.

Arias described ArtHop as starting as an art gallery with indoor events – but now evolving into a street festival “which is a dramatically different event.”

According to Arias, ArtHop’s boundaries have shifted and expanded so far that officials have found it too difficult to ensure peace and safety throughout the event’s reach.

“Mariposa Mall Plaza, since that’s under construction, that’s one corner that got taken out to have events,” Arias said. “That further stretched out the footprint that police have to monitor.”

“That gets extremely challenging, especially when we’re not charging and utilizing voluntary police overtime to bring in additional staffing. So it’s natural, it’s the consequence of their success.”

Arias says the restriction on ArtHop activities is a preventative measure and not indicative of ArtHop’s reputation or practices.

“We have not had any incidents where a car hits a pedestrian because there’s no space on the sidewalk.” Arias said. “We haven’t had any significant incidents of safety that have required emergency responses from units or from medical services – and we want to avoid exactly that.”

Fresno city officials state that ArtHop has been attracting on average 15,000 people – and that has prompted conversations about how to manage the mass influx of visitors to Downtown Fresno.

The City of Fresno is set to discuss whether or not the Downtown Fresno Partnership will become the official organizer for ArtHop. However, Downtown Fresno Partnership CEO Elliott Balch says that it is not currently in a position to take on the responsibilities of being ArtHop’s official organizer.

“Bearing all of that burden is beyond the scope of what the partnership’s able to do with the resources that we have, at the moment,” said Balch.

According to Balch, the Downtown Fresno Partnership is working with businesses in Downtown Fresno and reaching out to artists and vendors to coordinate mutually beneficial relationships. Balch added that the Downtown Fresno Partnership will be releasing a map showing exactly how ArtHop goers can continue to enjoy the Fulton Street experience during the event.

Speaking to the vendors who rely on the ArtHop event for their income, Councilmember Arias suggested they contact the Fresno City Council and the Downtown Fresno Partnership to ensure it is organized right.

“We have already notified hundreds of folks whose contact information we have, who are regular participants of ArtHop, that happened yesterday,” said Arias. “We are publically notifying people now and will do an additional notification today.”

ArtHop has posted on social media that the pause impacts outdoor vendors who are both permitted and unpermitted, but all official ArtHop venues will remain open. Anyone vendors with questions are encouraged to call the Downtown Fresno Partnership on 559-490-9966.

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