ArtHop file photo by Jesus Sepulveda

The Downtown Fresno Partnership (DFP) is giving locals a chance to weigh in on the possible return of street vendors to the popular ArtHop event.

Mayor Jerry Dyer announced at the annual State of Downtown event on Thursday that the City of Fresno is considering reallowing outdoor activity at the art and culture-focused event, ArtHop.

The DFP has published “The Downtown Fresno Street Market Survey”, to get community feedback about bringing back ArtHop.

The survey will help determine whether outdoor activities, including pop-up vendors and exhibits, will be allowed at ArtHop on Thursday or Friday.

ArtHop currently occurs the first and third Thursday of each month.

In July of last year, city council members announced that all outdoor activities would be cancelled for the next ArtHop event beginning in August 2024.

The outdoor activity was initially shut down due to concerns for traffic safety, security, restroom, impacts and the fair treatment of vendors.

According to the DFP’s survey’s website, the ArtHop events would draw up to 15,000 or more people in a night.

In September 2024, the city and the DFP launched “Why Not Wednesday?” an outdoor vendor and food truck fair on Fulton street.

Elliott Balch, CEO of the DFP, said that visits to Fulton Street on ArtHop nights have gone down 83%, with Brewery District businesses reporting collective losses of $30,000 or more per month.

“Whether it’s a Thursday, or a Friday, wouldn’t it be amazing to bring back the street market portion of the ArtHop we all remember, Dyer said. “I can tell you we and the city are 100% committed to making that happen.”

Balch said that the street market portion was never officially part of the event, but helped the ArtHop label grow to a point that many people didn’t know the difference.

If ArtHop returns, it will include the temporary closing of streets, as well as permitting and guiding for vendors, restrooms, payments to performing artists and the hiring of security.

“Our goals are to ensure the community is heard, welcome in our Valley’s diversity, create economic opportunity for area businesses and vendors, center the arts through live performance and makers, and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone,” Balch said.