Selma to host 2026 Blossom Trail opening as county events ramp up

Selma will welcome the 2026 Blossom Trail season with an opening ceremony at the Selma Arts Center on Feb. 4 at 11 a.m., returning to the city for the first time since 2019. Organizers say the event will highlight the region’s agricultural identity and preview the spring driving route that draws visitors across Fresno County.

The ceremony will feature a presentation of colors by the Selma Fire Department Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Selma FFA President Joaquin Aranda and a performance of the national anthem by Tanya Smith. Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes will serve as master of ceremonies. Local agricultural educators and Farm Bureau representatives are scheduled as guest speakers, and videos played during the program will trace Selma’s history and recent agricultural facility improvements. “It’s a way to bring people to the area here, to know that we still are an agricultural county and that we have this trail that you can drive through during the blossom season, and it’s beautiful if you drive it,” said Karen Foster of the Selma Chamber of Commerce.

Across the county, the Sanger Chamber of Commerce announced a slate of Blossom Trail activities, including a Blossom Trail Bus Tour on Feb. 21, the 29th Annual Blossom Trail Run on March 7 and the Blossom Days Fest and Car Show on March 14 in downtown Sanger. Organizers in both communities are sharing event dates, participation details and ticket information as the season approaches.

The Blossom Trail festivities bring economic opportunity for small businesses, from restaurants to lodging, and give residents a chance to celebrate the county’s orchards and farms. But the influx of visitors also raises public health and equity considerations. Bloom season coincides with airborne pollen that can worsen allergies and asthma, and large gatherings can strain parking, transit and sanitation resources in smaller downtowns. Language access, transportation and paid time off remain barriers that can limit farmworker and low-income resident participation in civic celebrations and in the economic benefits that follow.

Local chambers, event planners and public health partners will need to coordinate on accessibility and safety measures as crowds grow. Simple accommodations such as shaded rest areas, clear signage in Spanish and other languages, and outreach to farmworker organizations can help share benefits more broadly. Attendees with respiratory conditions should plan for pollen exposure, and residents should watch for event updates and ticketing details from the Selma and Sanger chambers.

For Fresno County residents, the Blossom Trail season offers both beauty and a reminder of the region’s labor and infrastructure that sustain agriculture. As calendars fill with bus tours, runs and festivals, community leaders will be judged on not only how many people they bring in, but how well the season’s benefits and protections reach all who live and work in the valley.