Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
Yosemite Sierra Visitors BureauJune, 2011
In This Issue
New website, new visitor center for YSVB
Wine your way through Madera County
Jazz on the Lake returns to Bass Lake
Mammoth event for Fossil Discovery Center
Loggers Jamboree in North Fork
Deals and fun happenings

Looking for something fun to do? Visit our Calendar of Events!
Greetings!


It's been a year of changes at the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau, and fun happenings throughout Madera County. Read on to learn of all the excitement. Have a great June!

 

Sincerely,

 

Jarrod Lyman
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau

 

New website, new location for YSVB

It's been a big month for the YSVB

Yosemite This Year

The Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau had a few major announcements this past month. First, the YSVB went live with one new website and a complete redesign of their current site.

 

The bureau's main site,

YosemiteThisYear, received a new look, which also is complimentary to their new site, VisitMaderaCounty. "Each site promotes Madera County, but goes about it in a different manner," said YSVB PR Director Jarrod Lyman. "Yosemite This Year focuses on the county as the main gateway into Yosemite, and the easiest route to see some of Yosemite's best attractions, like the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Tunnel View and Glacier Point. Visit Madera County focuses on the fact that Madera County has all of the attractions for which California is known:  Wine, fine dining, outdoor fun and of course, Yosemite."

 

The Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau also just moved in to a new facility, adding needed space in which they can help the thousands of visitors that come in to the center each year. The new address is 40637 Highway 41. "It's closer to the center of town, and has much more space, which will make it more comfortable for the guests who come through," said Lyman. "We'll often see hundreds of people in one day and before it would be rather tight. Now we have the space to help everyone, effectively display information and have a generally welcoming atmosphere."


 

Wine your way through Madera County

Wineries hosting an array of summer events

Madera Wine Trail California Wineries


Madera County is California's wine country. Our traditions go back well over 100 years. In addition to the three Wine Trail Weekends throughout the year,  the family-owned-and-operated wineries host regular events of their own. Upcoming events include:

 

June 11

Idle Hour Winery 

Summer Release Party Noon - 6 pm.

 

June 11 

Quady Winery 

Pouring at the Fine Art and Wine Festival at Mariposa County Courthouse in Mariposa.

 

July 23 

San Joaquin Wine Company 

Battle of the Bands for Wine Club Members.

 

August 6 

Quady Winery 

Annual Club Party

 

August 27  

Ficklin Vineyards 

Harvest Party & Grape Stomp 9 am - 1 pm.   

Jazz On The Lake

Popular series returns to Bass Lake 


Jazz on the Lake at Bass Lake

What could be better than taking in good music with good friends while enjoying good food? The popular Jazz On The Lake series at Bass Lake is back at The Pines Resort.

 

The weekly events take place Friday nights through Labor Day. Gates open at 5 pm with the show starting at 6 pm. For more information, visit

www.basslake.com. 

.

 

Fossil Discovery Center hosts Mammoth Event

Benefit dinner to help FDC 

 
Click to see fullsize image

The San Joaquin Valley Paleontology Foundation and The Fossil Discovery Center are hosting a gala event to benefit the recently opened museum on Saturday, June 25.

The event runs from 6-11 pm with dinner, music, dancing, no-host bar and a live auction where you can purchase your very own fossil.

Benefit tickets are $40 per person ahead of time, $50 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Fossil Discovery Center at 19450 Road 21 1/2 (exit 164 from Hwy 99), the Madera Chamber of Commerce at 120 N. E Street in Madera, or at the Valley Pistachio Country Store, 20865 Avenue 20, Madera.

 

Loggers Jamboree July 2 and 3

Annual event celebrates North Fork's heritage


Years ago, North Fork was a bustling town filled with loggers earning their living from the thriving forest near by. The logging industry may be a memory, but the annual Loggers Jamboree each year keeps that memory alive and well.

 

The loggers jamboree features numerous competitions in of various lumberjack skills including the use of saws, chainsaws and even axe throwing. There are also competitions of Loggers Jamboree Queen, Little Miss and more.

 

To learn more, contact Cathey at 559-676-7766. To see video from last year's event, go here.  


 

Deals, discounts and special events
 Our partners offer fun things to do and ways to save

 

The Best Western Yosemite Gateway Inn in Oakhurst was recently recognized by Trip Advisor for consistently garnering "excellent" ratings from their guests, earning them the "Certificate of Excellence."   

 

Dads get in free on Father's Day June 19th at the Golden Chain Theatre.  They can see "Trouble Across the Pond", a fun melodrama set in Portsmouth, England with two villains. Shows run every Saturday (except July 2) through July 23.  

 

 

Ask for the Graduation Special at the Hampton Inn in Madera and receive a standard room for just $79, Studio for $89 or the relaxing getaway room of the Jacuzzi Suite for $99. Are you getting married instead of graduating? Ask for the Wedding Month package for more great savings!  

 

Stay at the Madera Valley Inn in Madera for three nights (doesn't have to be consecutive) and receive a $25 gift card good at numerous places. The Madera Valley Inn was recognized this month by Trip Advisor, receiving the Certificate of Excellence Award for  consistently earning excellent ratings from their customers.   

 

The Redwoods in Yosemite announced their new wedding and events garden. The Redwoods offers a perfect venue for those who want to get married or renew their vows in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. A natural setting inside Yosemite National Park witnessed by your family and closest friends add to the memories of a lifetime. Contact The Redwoods in Yosemite today to learn about their wedding package.    

 

You can help put children first by taking part in the Rima for Mayor campaign, part of Oakhurst's honorary mayor program. Win one of the many exciting items in the Online Auction, including getaways, local wine and more. June 10 is Jamba Juice day, where 20% of all proceeds will go to benefit the campaign. June 10 is also the Golden Chain melodrama and ice cream social. Proceeds go to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Oakhurst.  

 

Sierra Meadows Country Club has opened their RV park June 1. Now you can stay in the trees and be moments away from first tee, a perfect marriage of staying and playing! To learn more, contact Sierra Meadows at 559-642-1343.

 

The Timberline Art Gallery is once again featuring their Small Wonders art show. Art featured is no larger than 10 inches on any side and no more than $100 in price. Any medium is welcome, with new items continually being added to the show, which runs through July 5.    

 

Nothing says "Welcome" better than being offered a glass of wine or goblet of sparkling water when you arrive for your evening at Yosemite Sierra View Bed and Breakfast.

Please book your visit during the month of June...and we'll do the rest. What a great way to start your fun getaway.

 

Head on up to the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad for the Moonlight Specials which take place Wednesday and Saturday nights. Enjoy a home-cooked barbecue, live entertainment and a ride aboard a historic steam engine, with a midpoint stop for campfire songs and more. Museum, gold- panning and steam engine rides daily as well. Visit www.YosemiteSteamTrains.com to book your ride in history.