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| Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau Newsletter |
April, 2012
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 Greetings!
Spring has sprung in Madera County: California's Gateway to Yosemite. The grass is green, the flowers are beginning to bloom, as are the trees, and there is so much fun stuff going on you'll be busy as a bee!
Read on for some ideas on how you can do some spring cleaning for the soul by taking a relaxing and fun trip!
Of course, we'll have our deals and discounts as well, so you can have fun without breaking the bank. See you soon!
Sincerely,
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
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Steam engines roar to life
Tours resume at Yosemite
Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
One of Madera County's most popular and fun things to do is back at it again, as the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad has resumed tours aboard the authentic steam locomotives.
Located just a couple of miles south of the Highway 41 entrance to Yosemite National Park, the YMSPRR gives four- mile tours through the Sierra National Forest highlighting the unique history of the region aboard Engine 10 or 15.
Both engines are Shay locomotives used many years ago to haul lumber through the steep hills of the region. The younger of the pair, Engine 10, was built in 1928 while Engine 15 is a sprite 99 years old this year.
For tour information including times, schedules or to buy tickets, visit www.YosemiteSteamTrains.com |
Birdstone Winery Announces
Tasting Nights
A popular stop along the Madera Wine Trail, Birdstone Winery has announced their schedule for "Tasting Nights" this spring and summer.
The first Tasting Night is set for Saturday, April 21 from 5-8 pm. The wines of Birdstone will be paired with artisanal cheeses from Fiscalini Farmstead.
Tickets are $15 for Wine Club Members and $25 for the public. A "Box Dinner" is also available by advance purchase or that evening for $10.
Reservations can be made at the tasting room located at 9400 Road 36 in Madera Fridays from 12-15 or Saturday and Sundays from 11-5, or by calling 559-970-2060. Tickets can also be purchased at their website, www.birdstonewinery.com.
Future Tasting Nights events include Perfect Wine & Pasta Pairing with Chef Mike Mazzoni on June 2, and Birdstone Vino and BBQ on July 21.
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Woodcarvers Rendezvous
in Oakhurst
The Annual Woodcarver's Rendezvous is
 | | A carving done at last year's Wood Carver's Rendezvous |
taking place April 15-22 in Oakhurst.
There will be carving classes, demonstrations and seminars for all levels
of carvers. There will also be
crafts and programs for your family members who aren't carvers.
One registration fee allows you to attend as many classes as you like or
you may choose to spend the whole week in just one class.
Registration for the Oakhurst Wood Carving Rendezvous is $100.00 for a
single person, $150.00 per couple (same household), for the entire week.
You will need to bring your own knives, tools and equipment. The price
also includes coffee each morning, a couple of dinners and a potluck on
Friday night.
Lodging arrangements have been made with Comfort Inn 559-683-8282
and the High Sierra RV Park 559-683-7662
For more information on the Rendezvous contact Larry Smith or Jack
Parks.
Larry Smith Phone (559) 658-2405 E-Mail woodtat@sti.net
Jack Parks Phone (562) 425-0732 E-Mail jackaparks@aol.com |
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55th Annual Stampede in Chowchilla April 11 - 15
Cattle drive down Robertson Blvd kicks off rodeo excitement
If you have never seen a cattle drive, head on down to Chowchilla next week. Even if you have seen one, chances are you've never seen one go down a city's main street.
That's how the annual Chowchilla Stampede rodeo has begun, a tradition that stems back for 55 years. It creates an amazing spectacle as cowboys and cowgirls drive hundreds of head of cattle down Robertson Boulevard, an unmistakable announcement that five days of rodeo action has returned to Chowchilla.
The cattle drive leaves the fairgrounds at 9 am April 11 and begins making its way down Robertson Boulevard at about 10 am. The excitement continues until April 15 with rodeo events including roping, barrel racing, vendors and much more.
To keep up to date on all the action, "like" their Facebook page.
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The fun is heating up at beautiful Bass Lake
Annual Bass Lake Fishing Derby May 5-6
You can tell spring has certainly arrived as the activity at Bass Lake heats up.
The popular Miller's Landing Resort kicked off their 2012 season at the end of March, while The Forks Resort starts their season this weekend. Everyone is gearing up for the annual Bass Lake Fishing Derby set for May 5 and 6.
This year, three specially "tagged" grand-prize trout will be worth a combined $25,000. There will also be two fish worth $10,000, one worth $5,000 and 150 worth $100 and 849 worth $20.
You can download the entry form at http://www.basslakechamber.com. Registration is $25 per individual, or $60 per family. Family registrations are limited to husband-wife teams with a maximum of 3 children under the age of 16.
While at the Bass Lake Chamber website, visit their coupon page for some exclusive deals!
You can also pick up coupons good for $1 off a world famous Forks Burger at the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau visitors center, at 40637 Highway 41.
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Oakhurst Centennial
merchandise for sale
The town of Oakhurst continues to celebrate its centennial. Now you too can get in on the celebration with official merchandise available at spots throughout town.
Special 18-month calendars, good through the middle of 2013, are available at Dorsey's Hallmark, Fresno Flats, Oakhurst Giftworks and the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce.
Other merchandise including mugs, shirts, hats and more can be found at each of those locations. Get yours today!
Dorsey's Hallmark - 40044 Highway 49. (Von's Shopping Center) A portion of all proceeds goes to local charities.
Fresno Flats - 49777 Road 427
Oakhurst Giftworks - 49027 Road 426
Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce - 40637 Highway 41
Visit www.Oakhurst100.com to learn about the events taking place throughout the year. |
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Stay and Play for Less in Madera County
Businesses offer discounts and other travel incentives Check out these great travel incentives, packages and fun things to do directly from our Partners in Tourism! For more fun events, see our Calendar of Events.
Apple-Blossom Inn offers picnic package Enjoy the beauty and natural splendors of Yosemite National Park for a two-night stay at the award-winning Apple Blossom Inn. You'll be provided with deluxe accommodations, gourmet Candy 'Apple' breakfasts each morning, Yosemite National Park entrance fees (good for seven days) and a country-style picnic lunch packed in an insulated cooler backpack, including Sparkling Apple Cider and our homemade trail mix. After hiking and picnicking at the various scenic sites of Yosemite, return to the Apple Blossom for a relaxing evening in the spa under the stars overlooking the Sierra Mountains. Two-night packages including lodging for two, breakfast each morning, a picnic lunch and Park entrance fees, start at just $346 plus the applicable 11% room tax. Picnics may be purchased with any minimum 2-night stay for $28 per person regardless of the number in your party or length of your stay. Two-day notice required please. Sunday Brunches at the Blue Heron in Yosemite Lakes Park
Sunday Brunches kick off at the Blue Heron in Yosemite Lakes Park, starting with an Easter Sunday Brunch April 8 from 11 am to 5 pm. There will be an omelet station and breakfast station featuring classic favorites, a carving station with prime rib and more, dessert station, or for those with more particular tastes, Eggs Benedict and Crab Benedict will be made to order. Adults are $21.95 and kids are $12.95. Starting Sunday, April 15, regular Brunches feature a generous buffet or diverse full-breakfast menu, all served outdoors overlooking the lake for only $9.95. Live entertainment will be provided by the Valley Oaks Bluegrass Band from 10 am to 1 pm.
Bass Lake Rental deals for the week of the Bass Lake Fishing Derby 
Bass Lake Fishing Derby is May 5 & 6! Hurry up and book your home for the weekend or...Stay the Week!!! We have cozy little mountain cabins, luxury lakefronts and everything in between. Take advantage of our Spring Specials...Call us at 866-914-3888 or visit www.BassLakeVacations.com.
Free Yosemite App from Chimani this month
Chimani will make all of their iOS and Android national park apps free during National Park Week, which runs from April 21-29. Starting on Wednesday, April 18, the apps will be available for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play Marketplace. The Chimani national park apps normally sell for between $4.99-$9.99 each. For more details go to: www.chimani.com Chowchilla Chamber announces 32nd Annual Golf Tournament  The Chowchilla District Chamber of Commerce is giving golfers the chance to golf at the world-class Pheasant Run Golf Course while also benefiting the Chamber at their 32nd annual tournament on May 11. The $75-per-player fee includes 18 holes of first-class golf, cart, range balls and dinner. Call the Chamber at 559-665-5603 for more information. Easter Buffet at Ducey's on the Lake Join Ducey's on the Lake, located in The Pines Resort on Bass Lake on April 8 for Easter Champagne Brunch Buffet as Executive Chef Jonathan Frabotta presents:
Apple-smoked Bone-in Ham and Prime Rib of Beef carving station, along with a buffet, including a bountiful array of salads, entrees, sides and desserts. Adults $32.95,
Seniors $26.95 (55+), Children $16.95 (4-12)
Reservations are required (559) 642-3131.
ECCO hosts Opera event 
ECCO has a pair of events coming up this month. First is the Annual SPRINGFEST Cards & Game Day at ECCO Tuesday, April 17th, 9am - 3pm. Bring your friends and your favorite games. $16/person includes luncheon, drawings for great prizes and a day of fun! Call Lori @ 642-3534 for information or to purchase tickets. Second is the Sock Hop to benefit Little Church Foundation April 28. Wine & appetizers at 6 pm, dinner at 7pm, dancing & contests 8 pm - 10 pm. $20 per person in advance, $25 per person at the door. Fifties attire encouraged but not required. And, no, you don't have to dance in your socks. In fact, it's not even recommended. Those who don't dance are welcome to help judge dancing and contests. Tickets available at Mountain Feed & Nursery and Steve's Tropical Fish in Coarsegold and Dorsey's Hallmark and Willowbridge Bookstore in Oakhurst. All proceeds go to the Little Church Foundation Restoration project. For information call 683-6832. Fresno Flats highlights Oakhurst History  Second in a the series of Centennial programs on Friday at Fresno Flats will happen on April 12th, featuring speaker, Jackie Mallouf, who will present The Last One Left, the slide story of Oakhurst's most visible historic landmark,the Little Church on the Hill. The evening begins at 5:30 at Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park on School Road (427) in the Cunningham School. Dinner is served before the program. Admission is $10.00, including dinner. The public is invited to this interesting program. For more information, call Phyllis at 559-642-3518 LynMar Pond Guest Ranch offers deal to kick off Spring The popular LynMar Pond Guest Ranch in North Fork is an enticing property located at the start of the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway, but they're even further sweetening the deal with a special. Rent the ranch for one night and receive the second night for half price. Visit http://www.lynmarpondranch.com/ for more information. The Pines Resort announces Hot Dates  If you're planning your Spring Break trip, you may want to check out the dates at The Pines Resort. Several "Hot Dates" have been announced where you can stay in a Pines Chalet for only $89 a night, the lowest rates in April ever! Dates include April 15 - 17 and April 22-24. Enjoy all the popular amenities of The Pines Resort, including their new complimentary resort-wide WiFi.
Paradise Springs hosts Bridal Show
Paradise Springs, located north of Oakhurst, hosts their semi-annual Bridal Show April 22 from 12 - 4 pm. Guests can tour Paradise Springs, meet various wedding vendors such as caterers, florists, photographers, wedding cake bakers and more. Special cabin rates are available the night of the show. Email for more information, or visit www.ParadiseSpringsMountain.com.
Quady Winery offers spring samplings Quady Winery will be closed on Easter Sunday (April 8th). Visit us Saturday, April 7 from 12-4:30 pm to pick up some great wines for Easter. Whether you have a picnic, BBQ or a formal dinner on Easter, you will be able to find the perfect wine at Quady. From HWY 41 or 99 exit Ave 12 and head west. Turn north on Road 24 and look for the Quady sign on the right; 13181 Road 24 in Madera. Redwoods in Yosemite making Mother's Day easy Stay May 1-24, 2012 and receive 10% off your stay for *each Mom in your cabin plus a welcome flower for every Mom! * Maximum 3 Moms discounted per cabin. Offer is not valid on existing reservations or with any other discount. Offer expires May 24, 2012. Offer is based on availability. Call 855-293-1413. Tenaya Lodge offers incentive to book your summer stay early This summer get outside, be with the ones you love and experience a world of High Sierra adventure with everything from archery and fly fishing to rock climbing and mountain biking. And of course, when it's time to simply rest and relax, that's what Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite does best. Book your summer getaway within the next 7 days and we'll guarantee the season's best rates. If they happen to fall any further, we'll match them. So hurry and join us for the season of life, warmth and unparalleled beauty. In addition to a great rate, you can save 20% on spa treatments at Ascent Spa at Tenaya Lodge. Just book your spa appointment in advance at 866-550-0830 and mention promotional code SPA20Yosemite Skyway gives you two ways to save You can stay in a beautiful vacation rental home in Oakhurst, and now chose your way to save! You can choose from either a $15.00 discount per day for a three day booking or stay for 7 days, and pay for only 5. |
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Sincerely,
Jarrod Lyman
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau |
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