March is when the valley tips into spring
March is the month the Central Valley finally turns the corner. The almond blossoms are at their peak or fading into leaf, the citrus trees are starting to bloom, and the farmers markets that took a winter break begin to come back. This is the roundup we would hand a friend over coffee, gathered from public event calendars and the year-round traditions across Fresno, Clovis, Madera, and Kerman.
A quick note before the list: spring events are often announced closer to the season, so dates can shift. Check with each event host before you head out, and know that what follows is built on the traditions that come back every single year.
Fresno: the Blossom Trail's final weeks, a St. Patrick's Day run, and Bulldog baseball
March is your last chance to catch the Fresno County Blossom Trail. The self-guided driving loop of roughly sixty to seventy miles through the county's blossoming orchards runs from mid-February into mid-March, and it has been a valley tradition since 1988. The almond and stone-fruit trees are the early stars, and the citrus blossoms bloom a little later, which can stretch the color into April. On a clear day it is one of the most beautiful drives in California, so pack a thermos and take the long way home.
The St. Patrick's Day Run returns to Woodward Park, gathering at the Shinzen Activity Area on the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day. Runners and walkers choose between the Shamrock 4-Mile Run and the Green 2-Miler, and the morning comes with green shirts, goodies, and plenty of community spirit, with green beer for the 21-and-over crowd after the finish. The annual Pi Day Run also makes its way around Woodward Park on March 14, a playful way to get outside as the weather warms.
Fresno State baseball is in full swing at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium through March, with Mountain West conference series and midweek home games on the calendar. Schedules and ticket details live on gobulldogs.com, and a spring evening at the ballpark is one of the most pleasant ways to spend a March night in Fresno.
The farmers markets keep their rhythm. The Vineyard Farmers Market at Shaw and Blackstone runs Saturdays and Wednesday afternoons, the Manchester Center Farmers Market on East Shields Avenue keeps its Friday schedule from 8 AM to 4 PM, and the River Park Farmers Market is open Tuesday evenings. Early spring brings asparagus, fresh greens, and the last of the citrus, and the stalls start to fill with color again.
Clovis: a craft beer crawl and Saturday market mornings
The Old Town Clovis Craft Beer Crawl kicks off Old Town's event season in mid-March, with California brews poured at roughly eighteen participating storefronts along the historic main street. It is organized by the Business Organization of Old Town Clovis, and it has become the neighborhood's unofficial St. Patrick's Day kickoff, with plenty of green in the crowd. Tickets and the list of participating stops are posted on oldtownclovis.org as the date approaches.
Every Saturday morning, the Old Town Clovis Farmers Market keeps its year-round pace on Pollasky Avenue between 5th and Bullard, roughly 9 to 11:30 AM. In March the stalls lean toward early greens and the first spring berries, and a warm cup of coffee on a cool morning on Pollasky is one of the simplest pleasures the valley offers.
Madera: the speedway roars back and rodeo season begins
Madera Speedway fires up its season in early to mid-March, with practice days and the first points races for the Pro Late Models, Legends, and Bandoleros. The track is a beloved fixture of the county's motorsports calendar, and the opening weeks draw a loyal crowd from all over the valley. The full schedule is on racemadera.com.
Madera County's rodeo season also starts to stir in March with the Chowchilla Stampede and Cattle Drive, a celebration of the area's ranching heritage that brings the county's western roots to the forefront. It is a short drive from Madera and a fun way to spend a spring weekend.
The Madera Certified Farmers Market gathers Thursdays at Court House Park on Yosemite Avenue during the season, a dependable stop for local produce as the weather turns. Check the schedule before you go, and on a clear March afternoon it is a pleasant way to spend part of the day in town.
Kerman: the market returns and spring celebrations begin
Kerman's farmers market comes back in March after its winter break and runs through the spring and early fall. The town's evenings start to fill with neighbors again, and the return of the market is one of those small signals that spring has really arrived.
The city also hosts an annual spring celebration at Lions Park, an Easter egg hunt and family day that brings the community together; the date shifts with the Easter season, so check the City of Kerman events calendar as the month gets closer. And if you are already planning ahead, the Kerman Almond Festival follows in April, a favorite local tradition worth marking on the calendar.
Until then, March in Kerman is for the unhurried things: a walk around Kerckhoff Park on a warm afternoon, a slow morning at a local spot, and the simple comfort of a small town with room to breathe.
March is when the spring market picks up
March is when the valley's spring market really gets moving. Buyers start touring in earnest, sellers begin preparing their homes, and the first serious listings of the year tend to set the tone for the season. It is a great month to take stock of your own plans with no pressure attached.
If you have wondered what your home is worth or whether this is your year to move, we can help you look at the numbers with no pressure. Catch up on the latest market report , then send us a note whenever you are ready. Enjoy the spring month, and we will talk soon.
