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Greetings!
October has arrived. That means the fall season is upon us, which brings fun festivals and events, cooler weather, changing leaves and harvest. Read on for great things to see and do this month.
Sincerely,
Jarrod Lyman
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
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Madera County digs fossils
Fossil Discovery Center opens in Chowchilla  The Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County opened its doors on September 1st, after 17 years in the making. It provides for a historic, scientific and cultural destination in the very geographical center of California. The Discovery Center is located just off Highway 99, just south of SR 152 in Chowchilla near the Fairmead landfill where 15,000 fossils have been excavated since 1993. Visitors can view a collection of Middle-Pleistocene fossils (700,000 years ago) that was excavated just across the street from the Discovery Center. There are skeletons of Saber tooth cat, Dire wolf, Giant Ground Sloth, Camel, Short Faced Bear, Pleistocene Horse and Columbian Mammoth. There are a dozen video screens with pictures and animations of these Ice Age critters. Visitors can actually touch real fossils. There is a vertebrate paleontologist on duty 6 days a week preparing fossils in an open lab visitors can observe and talk with. New discoveries happen all the time. The center has a video that explains the Fairmead discovery that plays in the theater-classroom. The Fossil Discovery Center is located on 5 acres with a mock dig area, pond and picnic area for people to enjoy. It is a popular destination for tourists and school children from all over California. This is an activity that people of all ages enjoy. The Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County 19450 Avenue 21 ½ (Mammoth Parkway) Chowchilla, CA 93610 PH: 559-665-7107 www.MaderaMammoths.org sjvpaleo@gmail.com Days and hours of operation: Tuesday through Sunday 9am to 4pm.(Closed Mondays and Holidays)
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19th Annual Wine and Chocolate Festival
Taste of the Mountains
The Oakhurst Chocolate and Wine Festival is one of the largest events in this community, offering a "taste of the mountains" at the Oakhurst Community Park.
"Imagine a beautiful fall day, warm sun, blue skies, green and gold vistas beyond the boundaries of a still lush green park. Now also imagine a picnic in that park, with your choice of California wines, appetizers from some of the most well known restaurants in the region, chocolate covered strawberries for dessert and unique artisans showcasing the best in holiday gift giving ideas," said Kathy McCorry with the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce which puts on the event. Guests will have the chance to sample the latest creations from popular, award winning restaurants from throughout the area. "Joining us for the first time this year is The Blue Heron Restaurant. Chef Christian Mueller will be serving appetizer size portions of dark beer braised pork w/ warm and sweet German potato salad," said McCorry.
Many other restaurants will be offering up samples as well. Tasting Tickets can be purchased at several locations through-out the show and can be used in the Wine Tasting Tent and the Taste of Mountains Tent - restaurants will be serving both sweets and savories - and at the Chocolate Fountain in the Chocolate Pavilion. "This will be a great way to try something new or check out that restaurant you haven't had the chance to visit yet," she said.
Guests can save money by purchasing Pre-sale VIP Tickets for $30.00 which include two Adult Admissions, two Wine Glasses and 20 Tasting Tickets good for wine, food and chocolate tasting. These tickets are a $40.00 value and are only available as an advanced purchase. Tickets can be purchased on line at www.oakhurstchamber.com or by calling: 559-683-7766. All major credit cards accepted. Pre-sale Tickets do not have to be purchased to attend the show. Admission the days of the event is only $2.00 for adults. Children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Tickets are good for all food, chocolate, beer and wine tasting.
Wineries participating this year include: Milla Vineyards, Birdstone Winery and Chateau Laqqoity.
There will also be a display enticing the husbands who aren't in to wine or chocolate. The "Sports Cars in the Park" show presented by Kitahara Buick GMC, will take place concurrently. "The car show includes several different types of high performance cars. The Corvettes of Fresno have also agreed to join us again this year, so it will be a great display," said McCorry.
For more information on the event please contact the Chamber at: Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce
49074 Civic Circle,
Oakhurst CA 93644
Phone - 559-683-7766
Fax - 559-683-0784 Email - events@oakhurstchamber.com |
Home Grown Cellars announces first
Pomegranate Run
Event to kick off national Pommegranate Month 
Madera County produces more of the nation's pomegranates than any other region. One local producer of the popular fruit is helping to celebrate with an event they plan on turning in to an annual occurance: The Pomegranate Run 4 Your Life.
Taking place Saturday, October 30th at Home Grown Cellars in Madera, the race will be a 5K run and walk to kick off November as National Pomegranate Month.
"Enjoy the country air, run through the fields of the farm and enjoy a fresh pomegranate juice drink," said Jackie Lehman, who owns Home Grown Cellars with her husband Alex.
Proceeds from the race will go to help feed needy families in the region. You can register at www.HomeGrownCellars.com.
HOME GROWN CELLARS
13702 Road 20
Madera, CA 93637
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Tarantula Festival creeps its way to Coarsegold
Annual event celebrates tarantulas Fall means many things to different people. For those in the agricultural business throughout the county, it means harvest. For those running attractions in the high elevations, it means prepping for the coming snow. In Coarsegold, it means keeping an eye out for amarous arachnids looking for love.
The annual Coarsegold Tarantula Festival is a favorite event among locals and visitors alike, as they take part in numerous events all honoring this eight-legged denizen of the region. This year's event takes place October 30.
"When we first moved here, I accidentally ran over a tarantula and was severely admonished by a neighbor," said Dian Boland, the founder of the event, now running strong in its 12th year. That incident inspired her to learn more about this misunderstood creature. The more she learned, the more she wanted to celebrate it. "I wanted to make people aware of how interesting they are, how they really are good for the environment and unique to the mountains up here and really a lot of fun," she said. It's true that the city has built a cottage industry around the tarantula. A massive sculpture of one sits atop the city's Historic Village. Residents go out of their way to protect the creatures, as killing one is definitely considered a faux paux.
The festival has helped to increase the lifespan of area tarantulas as well, according to Boland. "I've had hundreds of people who say they spared the life of a tarantula because of the festival," she said. People are reporting they now gently move them from places they're not wanted, instead of resorting to a shoe or bug spray.
Numerous events take place as part of the festival, from a cheesecake contest, to a hairiest leg contest, with men and women's categories. "The girls at the Yosemite Bank who are our sponsors, it's their favorite thing. They can't wait to come down and see the thick, hairy legged men running around. To top it off, we have thick, hairy legged women too," Boland said with a laugh.
The highlight, however, are the Tarantula races. Locals come with what they hope is the fastest tarantula for the race. "It is amazing. We are very careful with them. You can bring your pet, but we ask if someone found one in the wild to take it back where they found it once the race is over," Boland said.
The races consist of heats of ten tarantulas making their way through a dryer tube, with a handler at each end. "People get really excited with the $50 gift certificate and trophy up for grabs," said Boland.
Other competitions and events include a pizza eating contest, a Trick or Treat parade for kids, poetry contest and a "scream off" where vociferous competitors, or perhaps horror movie victim wannabees, can see who has the most blood curdling scream. "It's all a lot of fun for the whole family," said Boland.
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Racing action in Chowchilla/Madera
Stock car races are the best shows in town
If you like short track racing, then you will be in for a treat as numerous racing events will be taking place throughout the month in Madera and Chowchilla.
The two racetracks will be busy just about every weekend as cars from numerous classes will battle for the checkered flag.
Special events include the Pumpkin Cup at Chowchilla Speedway, featuring winged and wingless sprint cars, a destruction derby and many more, plus trick or treating for the kids. That race takes place October 30.
The week prior at Madera Speedway is the Pumpkin Smash Halloween Bash featuring the 360 Super Modified Championships, Late Model open and many more.
For more information, including full schedules, visit:
www.RaceChowchilla.com and www.RaceMadera.com.
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New owners take over at The Pines Resort
Bass Lake resort changes hands New owners have taken over operations at The Pines Resort, the popular full service resort destination on Bass Lake.
Kyusun and Sunwha Choe finalized the purchase on Sept. 23, becoming the new owners of the property. The pair have been area residents for seven years and are the former owners of the Days Inn in nearby Oakhurst.
Originally formed as a reservoir for power generation, over the past several decades the lake has become a popular spot for tourists from southern California and beyond. Bass Lake is a popular destination for its scenic beauty, wealth of recreational opportunities and excellent fishing. Throughout the years, there have been a handful of owners that have maintained this Bass Lake tradition.
"We are very excited to be a part of Bass Lake and are eager to meet the many families that have been coming to the Resort for generations. We are looking forward to participating in the many traditions that Bass Lake offers such as the 4th of July Fireworks Show, Thanksgiving Tree Lighting & Electric Parade and the Fishing Derby, to name a few. We fell in love with Bass Lake when we first moved here. We are so excited to now be a part of it," said Kyu.
The Choe's first order of operation is to reopen The Pines Resort year round. They will also bring back the popular "Give The Pines for Christmas" Gift Certificates. Guests can purchase a night stay and a certificate toward dinner at Ducey's for use in during the peaceful Winter months to capitalize on the winter scenery and serenity of the quieter tourist season.
The couple plan to launch numerous other owner's specials and different packages. They will be made available on the property's new website, slated to debut in October.
While The Choe's have experience in the hotel industry, they sought an expert to cover the restaurant side of the operation. The couple brought aboard Roman Zabicki, owner of the popular Oakhurst eatery Crab Cakes Restaurant & Yosemite Catering and past Food & Beverage Director of The Pines Resort.
Roman agreed to manage Ducey's Restaurant and the Lakeside Bar & Grill. Ducey's fine dining restaurant has been a favorite mountain restaurant since it was rebuilt after the original Ducey's was destroyed in a fire in 1988.
"We hope that the guests will stop by and introduce themselves when they are in the area" said Kyu.
"We really want to hear about what makes Bass Lake special to them and make sure we keep the special things that keep our guests coming back year after year."
Bass Lake was featured in Sunset Magazine as one of the "Best lakes" in California, and The Pines Resort was listed in 2006 as one of the ten best lodges in America by USA Today.
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Discounts, deals and promotions
Madera County businesses offer incentives to travel Take a day trip out to Hillmar Cheese Company for Tapas and Beer Oct. 16. The event will feature delicious cheeses and fabulous drinks starting at 6 pm.
Take a Photo Safari tour of Yosemite and come back with postcard quality images to impress your friends. Stunning images will be yours as the fall colors come in.
Enjoy the changing seasons at Bass Lake in your own private vacation rental home. Right now you can book for three nights for the price of two at select properties throughBass Lake Realty. Click here to book now.
Oakhurst Feed is celebrating their 3rd year anniversary the entire month of October. For every $10 spent, the customer will receive $1 Sonny Buck. They will host a Customer Appreciation Days on November 5th and 6th (Friday & Saturday) where customers can spend their Sonny Bucks.
Enjoy a free glass of Champagne at Appellation California in Madera if you mention the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau.
If you'd like a nice romantic vacation, try theRomance Package
that includes a stay at Paradise Springs, wine tasting at Westbrook Wine Farm andIdle Hour Winery, a trip on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Rail Road and entrance in to Yosemite National Park.
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