New tailgate shade policy at Fresno State could cost local business

It may be a little less shady for Fresno State tailgaters this upcoming football season with more stringent pop-up tent enforcement by the state fire marshal.

Fans are being informed of the changes ahead of the Bulldogs’ Sept. 7 home opener against Sacramento State at Valley Children’s Stadium — and some season ticket holders are not happy about it.

As in past years, a 12-foot buffer between tents in designated tailgating spaces remains in effect. But according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, only one 10 foot by 20 foot or two 10 foot by 10 foot tents are allowed in one picnic space, for a total of 200 square feet of shade. With the exception of two 10 footers set up next to each other in a space, tents must be situated in the middle of the picnic spot to accommodate for a 12-foot buffer.

Frank Pucher, Fresno State senior associate athletics director, external relations, said Fresno State Athletics is required to submit a special event permit to the fire marshal each year prior to the start of football season.

“It is important to recognize that Fresno State Athletics did not make any changes,” Pucher wrote in an e-mail. “The California State Fire Marshal and the CSU system are enforcing fire codes perhaps differently than they have in the past and this applies to all of campus, not just athletics.”

He added that detailed guidelines were shared with tailgate participants as well as local rental companies to ensure safety and compliance.

A staff member is also following up with phone calls to tailgate participants to inform them of the change, according to a notice from Terry Johnson, executive director of The Bulldog Foundation.

The change doesn’t sit well with David Cruce, Fresno construction executive and longtime Bulldogs supporter and tailgater.

“This decision will significantly alter the game day experience and also affect Fresno State’s finances,” Cruce said. “If tents are not allowed, people will not come and sit in the 100-degree sun, which could lead to a decrease in donors.”

The policy would also impact local party supply companies that rent out tents for Fresno State tailgating. Expo Events & Tents in Fresno is listed as the primary Fresno State football tailgating vendor. The impact is being felt statewide, as CEO Jared Medaris encountered similar enforcement efforts at an event at University of California, Merced.

Some of his clients previously rented tents for Fresno State games as large as 40 feet by 60 feet. With tailgating demand in mind, he also recently invested in tents that are 20 feet by 20 or 30 feet — each costing about $20,000.

Now the only size tents allowed can easily be purchased at Costco.

“This takes the income opportunity way down for us,” Medaris.

Medaris said Expo generated about $180,000 in business last football season. This year, he estimates that may be closer to $40,000-$50,000.

According to Fresno State Athletics’ 2023 tailgating guidelines, tents could be no larger than 400 square feet, with anything bigger requiring a special permit from the fire marshal.

Other requirements still in effect include use of sandbags or concrete to weight down the tents, as staking is not allowed in grass lots. Tents may also not be affixed to any tree, post or fence line.

Violation of requirements will be subject to a fee penalty or revocation of parking privileges for future games, according to the 2023 policy.

“Safety is always the top priority and adherence to these guidelines is appreciated, as the University and the Department of Athletics are required to enforce accordingly,” Pucher said.