The F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Navy's chief jet fighter, will be on display and flying during the Madera Air Show May 22 and 23.

A new act has been confirmed for the already exciting lineup at the Madera Air Show, taking place May 22 and 23. Confirmation has been received that the F/A-18 Super Hornet Tactical Demonstration Team will be at the show both days.

"They will fly a daily 10-15 minute low/high level routine showing the incredible capabilities of the F/A-18," said Joe Conway who is organizing the show. "This puts our already great show up to a whole new level of cool," he said.

The F/A-18 Super Hornet was first built in 1995 and fist entered service with the United States Navy in 1999. In 2006, the jet replaced the aging F-14 Tomcat. It is a faster, larger version capable of carrying more armament than it's predecessor, the F-18 Hornet.

The demo team is based at NAS Lemoore and the squadron is VFA-122 "The Flying Eagles". According to their website, "The Tactical Demonstration, or 'Tac Demo' team flies a two-seat F/A-18F as close to the the 'edge of the envelope' as safety and prudence allows.  The routine highlights the Rhino's maneuverability and slow-speed handling characteristics and has been very well received around the country."

The F/A-18 Super Hornet Tactical Demonstration Team will join the A-10 West Demonstration Team, Gathering of the Warbirds, aerobatic performers, rare WWII bombers and fighters and much more.

http://www.maderaairshow.com

Bass Lake is not just a beautiful destination, but the location for a lot of great events.

Antique boat enthusiasts will want to mark their calendars for May 15 for the annual Antique and Classic Wooden Boat Show at Bass Lake.

More than 50 classic and wooden boats are expected to be on the water Saturday, May 15 for the annual get together. Even organizers said it will be quite a spectacle. "People can expect to see antique wooden speed boats and classic fiberglass boats from as old as the 1920's on up to the 1960's," said Cary Winslow with the show.

For those looking to get a sneak peak, boats will start arriving Friday around noon, and will be available to be viewed. Many of the boats will be parked at the docs in front of Ducey's at the Lake, part of the Pines Resort. Others will be at Miller's Landing.

The boats will parade around Bass Lake at 1 Saturday afternoon. Before and after the parade, owners will be accessible to the public. "The owners will be available to talk about the boats, what powers them, tell their history and more," said Winslow.

Popular brands of watercraft that will be on display include Chris Craft, Century, Garwood and Higgins.

For more information, visit http://www.acbs-tahoe.org.

Just a few weeks later another boat show will feature V-Drive vessels. The Bass Lake Boat Boatfest takes place Saturday, June 12. The show will feature fast moving, V-Drive boats both off and on the water. Also taking place at The Pines Resort, this popular boat show is a lot of fun for families.

The 2010 Chowchilla-Madera County Fair will be held on May 13-16, 2010. Entertainment this year will be Pro-Modified 4x4 Truck Pulls on Thursday, Friday will be the Bomshel concert, Chowchilla Speedway Auto Racing on Saturday and the Destruction Derby Sunday. Daily entertainment will include the Super Science Experiments, Rockin' Idol Contest, Imagination Circus and Kid's Tractor Pulls. Live contests will be the Ultimate Cowboy contest on Thursday, a scavenger hunt on Friday and Saturday, and a live homemade ice cream making contest with samples on Sunday. 

Admission to the Fair this year is $8 for adult, seniors are $5, and children 6-12 are $4, children 5 and under are FREE. An Adult Season Pass may be purchased for $18. New this year will be $3 Thursday. Everyone pays just $3. Sunday everyone is FREE until 5:00pm and parking is FREE all four days.

Pre-sale carnival coupons can be purchased now until May 13 at 4:00pm. Give back to the community by purchasing your coupons through the Chowchilla Redfins, CUHS Band Boosters or through Alview-Dairyland 4-H. Tickets can also be purchased at the Fair Office, Savemart, Citi Bank, Tri Counties Bank, DeWitts Drug, and Do-It Best Hardware. Coupons are $20 each and can be purchased until May 13, 2010 at 4:00pm.  The Coupons can be exchanged at any carnival ticket booth for a sheet of 15 tickets on Thursday or Saturday or exchanged on Friday or Sunday for a wristband that will be good for the entire day.

New to the Chowchilla-Madera County Fair is the Fair Survivor contest. Six contestants will be competing for $500 and the title of Fair Survivor. Contestants must stay at the fair the entire run of the fair, eat only fair food, compete in several competitions daily and will not be allowed to have any money or electronic devises during the contest.

For more information about the 2010 Chowchilla-Madera County Fair visit www.chowchillafair.org  or call the Fair office at 665-3728.

The Madera Wine Trail is comprised of family owned wineries in Madera County, an area with a time honored wine making tradition.

Beautiful spring weather, wildflowers and quality wines from the family wineries along the Madera Wine trail will come together for the Spring Wine Trail Adventure May 15 and 16.

The Madera Wine Trail is comprised of several wineries in Madera County, a region many people don't realize is one of oldest wine grape growing regions in all of California. The Madera Wine Trail is a tremendously popular attraction in our region, which is saying something considering Madera County holds the most popular entrance in to Yosemite National Park.

While other regions are more known for their wine, that comes with the drawback that you lose the charming, one on one interaction with the winemakers. That personal touch is still alive and well along the Madera Wine Trail.

Guests along the trail will have the chance to sample a wide variety of local wines, from aperitif to dessert, old-world styles to the latest in winemaking technology, all from the winemakers themselves and their courteous, well-educated staff.

Wineries along the trail have various special events planned to coincide with the weekend. From live music, art exhibits and more, wine enthusiasts have a lot to look forward too. In addition, other partners of the Madera Vintners Association offer related specials.

Limo rides are available at a special rate from Touch of Class Limousine Service, The Vineyard Restaurant in Madera will offer free corkage on Madera Wine Trail wines. Appellation California, a wine tasting room and visitor center, offers chartered tours of the trail for the weekend.

Pre-sale tickets are available for $20. Tickets may be purchased online at www.MaderaVintners.com thru May 7, 2010. They can also be purchased at any participating winery.

Stay at one of Bass Lake Vacation Rentals numerous properties for three nights, for the price of two nights through May 27.

BodyCentre Wellness Spa is offering a FREE gift on Mother's Day with the purchase of our Tropical Paradise Massage. Includes a 50 minute relaxation massage from head to toe with Kukui Nut Oil/Lotion.

When you book at the Holiday Inn Express in Chowchilla  from May 11-16 and stay two nights get 2 free tickets to the Chowchilla Fair. Mention promo code Chowchillafair.

Paradise Springs in Oakhurst is offering several deals, including one on their 3-bedroom Lake House which sleeps up to eight people. The two night weekend special is only $800, or a two night midweek stay for only $600. For more deals, visit them on Facebook.

Westbrook Wine Farm is extending its Pre-Release pricing on new releases through Wine Trail Weekend, May 15 and 16. Please call for your appointment.