Kern River Valley Celebrates Cowboy Heritage with 49th Annual Whiskey Flat Days.News & Calendar Editors KERNVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 9, 2004 It is just a three-hour drive from Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. to the Kern River Kern River A river rising in the Sierra Nevada of eastern California and flowing about 249 km (155 mi) south and southwest to the southern San Joaquin Valley. Valley and the village of Kernville (50 miles east of Bakersfield on Hwy 178), but those who make the trip over President's Day Weekend (February 13-16, 2004) will "time travel" back to the days of the Wild West. It's the Kern River Valley's 49th annual "Whiskey Flat Days," honoring the region's miner and cowboy heritage (Kernville was known as "Whiskey Flat" during its 1850s gold rush era). This year's theme is "The Women of Old Whiskey Flat." A number of local pioneering women (most in their 80s and 90s, led by 89-year-old Alice Beard) will serve as Grand Marshals of the event's colorful parade on Saturday, Feb. 14. Smokey Bear Smokey Bear is a fictional character of the longest running public service campaign in United States history. The character's mission is to raise public awareness to protect America's forests. will also be in the parade as Honorary Marshall as he kicks off his 60th birthday celebration. Additional highlights include a rodeo, children's rodeo (don't miss the sheep riding event, 5 to 7 year-old division), carnival, frog-jumping contest, whisker contest, and a "melodramatic" presentation of "Li'l Abner Li’l Abner ungainly comic strip oaf with height of six foot three. [Comics: Horn, 450] See : Awkwardness Li’l Abner naive comic strip character. [Comics: Horn, 450–451] See : Unsophistication ." The two-day rodeo is held Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15, at John E. McNally Rodeo Arena in Kernville. Authentic cowboy and Indian encampments on the bank of the Kern River, local mine tours, gold-panning demonstrations, arts & crafts show featuring the works of local artisans, staged Western gunfights, live music, dancing and storytelling all will turn the clock back for this popular annual celebration of "Wild West" culture. One tip: Western attire is mandatory; and visitors not wearing such finery may be headed for the local jail (small donations are accepted for bail). The Kern River Valley is gateway to the Giant Sequoia National Monument Giant Sequoia National Monument: see National Parks and Monuments (table). . Kernville, a Western-motif village bisected by the Wild and Scenic Kern River, is the local hub for year-round outdoor adventures. Situated at an elevation of about 2,600 feet, but just down all-season highways from the Sierra Nevada Sierra Nevada, mountain range, Spain Sierra Nevada (syā`rä nāvä`thä), chief mountain range of S Spain, in Granada prov., running from east to west for c.60 mi (100 km), parallel to the Mediterranean Sea. snowline snowline n → límite m de las nieves perpetuas snowline snow n → Schneegrenze f , Kernville is truly a year-round destination. Kern River Valley accommodations include AAA-rated motels, mountain cabins, bed and breakfasts, recreational vehicle parks, and campgrounds. Information is available by calling the Kernville Chamber of Commerce toll-free at 866-537-6845, or online at www.kernvillechamber.org, www.kernrivervalley.com and http://www.kernvalley.com/news/whiskey.htm. |
|
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion