Can’t beat the heat? Escape it!

One of the best ways to beat the heat in Bakersfield is to escape it. That does not mean you have to plan elaborate three day trip as far away for Kern County as humanely possible. However, a little alone time is always beneficial to one’s psyche.

Bakersfield is surrounded by quaint towns that are home to many historical pieces within its respective community.

Allensworth is a historical town located roughly 30 minutes North of Bakersfield. This town was originally founded by former slaves on Aug 03, 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth.

courtesy of: northstarnews.com

This town is now the location of Colonel Allensworth’s State Historic Park. The park has a visiting center that holds tours. Visitors can also camp out on the grounds. Special events are held throughout the year to raise awareness about one of the first all-black communities.

In celebration of Juneteenth, the earliest form of celebration for freeing the slaves, the Allensworth State Historic Park holds an annual event where participants can ride bikes and engage in other activities including entertainment, guest speakers and free tours.

Their annual rededication event will take place on Oct. 12.

According to the park’s website, this event seeks to “renew our commitment to the park and its symbolic representation of self determination for all African-Americans in the areas of education and economic development.”

The City of Tehachapi, though plagued by obscurity,  can be a place for great entertainment when it’s found. After the City Council teamed up with the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association (TMRA) in 2012, the groups improved and began operating the Tehachapi Event Center Rodeo Grounds.

On July 4th, the rodeo grounds will be hosting their annual Bad Bulls Tour. Guest are encouraged to go out and support a cool day and a show filled with clever clowns, raging bulls and the fearless cowboys who ride them. A Patriotic Fireworks Finale will follow the show to honor those served in the military.

courtesy of: liveuptehachapi.com

Ticket prices for this event are: $15- at the gate. Special discounts are applicable.

 

Kern County goes nuts!

  This Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Kern County will be holding its first annual Nut Festival.  This event was created and hosted by the Kern County Museum to help bring together Kern County residents and educate them about the tasty and healthy benefits of the various nuts grown locally.

Banner promoting the upcoming Nut Festival

This nut festival is a great way for friends and families of all ages to have some fun. June 14th, there will be a special VIP event just for adults. The next day, adults can bring their youth back to the museum to enjoy more family-friendly activities.

 Bakersfield resident and Nut Festival attendant Maci Atkins said, “I enjoy the Nut Fest every year, and I’ve been going for the past five years and I can’t for this weekend.”

  Events to take place include a “Run with Nuts,” where participants run a mile and back down Kern River Parkway Bike trail. Festival goers can also look forward to stage performances, art exhibitions, and culinary instructions taught by celebrity chefs. 

The nut festival also benefits organizations that seek to promote their cause as well as give back to the community. Though, most of the revenue will go to the Kern County Museum Foundation, non-profit organizations can gain revenue through volunteering or vending.

Not only can families grow closer, but they can work together to serve the less fortunate.

  Chair of the Kern County Museum Foundation Bob Lerude said in a Nut Festival promotion, “We are so excited about the Kern County Nut Festival and the impact it will have on our community; Not only will it be a fun, entertaining community event, but it will enable local non-profits to benefit as well, all the while supporting the educational efforts of the Kern County Museum.”

By Henry A. Barrios / The Californian

Besides the Kern County Museum, other organizations and corporations participating during the upcoming weekend include: the Bakersfield Police Department, Kern Community Foundation, Bakersfield Museum of Art (which I didn’t know existed), Memorial Hospital, and Kern County Environmental Health.

  The Kern County Museum is located on Chester Ave. Pre-sale tickets are $10 for adults, five dollars for kids (5- 12), and free for kids under four. At the gate ticket prices increase  by two dollars.

For more information about the Kern County Nut Festival or sponsorship information, contact Sheryl Barbich at
661.301.6763 or Beth Pandol 661.302.8171.

 

Good times at Garden Fest

 

Shovelers pile dirt onto a live Oak at Bakersfield College’s Garden Fest on April 20. The tree planted was the 100th tree planted on BC’s campus this year as a celebrations of its century of existence.

 

Artist Chris Borbon draws a caricature at BC’s Garden Fest.

 

Tiffany Hoggart and Don Hoggart pose for a father and daughter caricature at BC’s Garden Fest.

 

Chef Pat Coyle instructs a crowd at Garden fest on the finer points of grill operation and technique at BC’s Garden Fest. Coyle’s was one of several home and garden presentations held that day.

 

 

BC president Sonya Christian and Bakersfield mayor Harvey Hall stand while professor Lindsay Ono speaks about the turnout of Garden Fest.

 

 

A bee walks across the stigma of a flower at Bakersfield College on April 20.

Bakersfield Tuning Up for its Annual Jazz Festival

Photo from http://www.smoothjazzbuzz.wordpress.com

What is fun to do in Bakersfield? This is a frequent question that hangs around first-time visitors in Bakersfield. If he or she were to ask a native Bakersfield resident, then they would get a reply: nothing. But, how about concerts or live musical performances?

Has anyone in Bakersfield realized that there is plenty of diversity in the music scene here in Bakersfield? One of these strong music scenes that have conjured up a festival for more than 25 years is jazz.

California State University, Bakersfield hosts many events in its campus that invites the community and people living surrounding Bakersfield. One of those events happens to be the Bakersfield Jazz Festival. In May, CSUB will be hosting the 27^th annual Jazz Festival www.bakersfieldjazz.com. The jazz festival attracts people from all around the community and from outside of town to this two-day event to listen to live jazz musicians. The event is on May 10^th-11^th at the CSUB Amphitheater area and tickets range from $20 to $60.

Photo from http://www.newtricksjazz.com/california-tour-recap