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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Downtown Chico is a popular area for walking, shopping and visiting the university. Photo taken on Oct. 18.

Downtown Chico welcomes three new businesses

Cecilia Gonzalez, Entertainment Reporter // October 28, 2024

Downtown Chico announced an upgrade on its instagram that it is bringing in a bar and restaurant, an art studio and a clothing store to the area. These three businesses will bring food, culture and art...

Throughout the month of October there is going to be different art and culture events downtown featuring local artists. It is going to be all over downtown, but most of the events will be on West 3rd Street between broadway and main.

Downtown Chico’s annual ARTober FEST is coming back

Cecilia Gonzalez, Entertainment Reporter // September 30, 2024

ARTober FEST in Downtown Chico starts soon. Throughout October there will be events dedicated to exhibiting artists and their work.  The festival is meant to get artists engaged with their community...

Angeline Stansbury, (Ashlyn Myers), dances with the Nutcracker Prince (Chasen Greenwood).

‘A Very Chico Nutcracker’ opens Thursday

Grace Stark, Reporter // November 30, 2023

“The Nutcracker” is a classic Christmas story told through dance around the world. This holiday season, Chico Community Ballet will be performing “A Very Chico Nutcracker,” a spin on the original...

Santa Claus arrives in the rain at the Community Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday at City Plaza.

A look at Downtown Chico’s holiday festivities

Grace Stark, Reporter // November 13, 2023

With the holidays just around the corner, Chico is hosting events such as fundraisers, craft fairs and more. Here’s a look at some upcoming activities to get in the holiday spirit. Chico Ice Rink...

Street view of Christmas Preview in Downtown Chico.

Chico community celebrates annual Christmas Preview

Hunter Casperson, Reporter // November 23, 2022

On the chilly night of Nov. 20, Chico residents crowded the streets of downtown, hugging warm cups of hot cocoa and apple cider as they celebrated Chico’s annual Christmas Preview. Sweet smells of...

Concerned students respond to Downtown Chico vandalism

Courtney Collier // February 12, 2020

Student employees from Collier Hardware, located in Downtown Chico, voice concern about rise in vandalism. Photo by Courtney Collier Recent vandalism at Collier Hardware, located in Downtown Chico,...

Upper Crust happily handed out cupcakes. Photo credit: Jessie Imhoff

Taste of Chico celebrates food

Jessie Imhoff // September 23, 2019

There was much to see when walking down the streets of downtown Chico on Sunday. The Downtown Chico Business Association held their annual Taste of Chico, hosting a variety of vendors, including local...

The Coldstone location in Chico is now closed and a new company will arrive in September. Photo credit: Hana Beaty

Cold Stone and other businesses close, Woodstock’s Pizza to relocate

Julian Mendoza // September 19, 2019
For each shop closing in downtown Chico, more will open to replace what was once there. In the meantime, other store owners are happy to hear that Woodstock's Pizza is moving to another location.
Rift Raffa preforming “Tip Toe Wing in my Jawwwdinz”  for the crowed during his show at the El Rey Photo credit: Alex Coba

Riff Raff headlines show in Downtown Chico

Angel Ortega // September 8, 2019

Riff Raff performed a headlining show at the El Rey Theater in Downtown Chico on Friday. The concert was held in part as a celebration of the grand opening of the new Blaze N' J’s store in Downtown...

A fire broke out at Cafe Petra on Monday.

Fire at Cafe Petra in downtown Chico

Gordy Papalias // April 23, 2019

Chico Fire Department responded to a fire at Cafe Petra on 163 2nd St. at about 4 p.m. on Monday. The fire was contained between the first and second floor of the building. Fire crews worked through the...

A Camp Fire Toy Drive is located on Main Street in downtown Chico. Kozette McGowan organized the event with the children affected by the Camp Fire in mind so that they can have something of comfort. The toy drive will be going on until Dec 17. Photo credit: Olyvia Simpson

Photo of the day

Olyvia Simpson // December 10, 2018

A Camp Fire Toy Drive is located on Main Street in downtown Chico. Kozette McGowan organized the event with the children affected by the Camp Fire in mind so that they can have something of comfort. The...

Children happily run up to greet Santa as he pulls up in a vintage firetruck to help light the Christmas tree in the downtown plaza. Photo credit: Olyvia Simpson

Downtown Christmas event brings joy to community and relief to Camp Fire victims

Olyvia Simpson // December 4, 2018

Members of the community gathered in Downtown Chico during the cold weather Sunday night to enjoy the 40th Annual Christmas Preview, where a portion of proceeds went toward Camp Fire relief efforts. The...

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