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| Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau Newsletter |
July, 2012
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Photo by Pat Althizer The Bass Lake Fireworks are always an amazing spectacle.
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Happy Birthday, America!
It's July and that means celebrations galore! From Chowchilla to Fish Camp and everywhere in between, there are fun events going on all month long.
The only tough decision you'll have is trying to figure out how you'll have enough time to fit it all in!
Read on for some fun things to see and do, and of course way you can stay and play for less in Madera County: California's Gateway to Yosemite.
Sincerely,
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
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Celebrate
Independence Day!
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Photo by Donn Hoyer
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There is fun to be had all throughout the area on July 4.
Madera is hosting their annual 4th of July Golf Tournament at the beautiful Madera Municipal Golf Course. For only $75 per player you can compete in the scramble tournament and stick around for the fireworks extravaganza that evening.
To register or for more information, call 559-661-5495.
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Coarsegold is hosting its third annual Freedom Fest on July 4. There will be kids activities, food, music and guest speakers at the Coarsegold Historic Village. Admission is free. More information can be found by calling 866-565-1379.
-----------------------------Bass Lake will once again be hosting an illuminating evening on July 4. The annual Light Up The Sky Annual Fireworks Show at Bass Lake. The fireworks are launched from the water in front of The Forks Resort. It's a beautiful view from a beautiful lake.
For more information, visit ------------------------------- Chowchilla Lions Club will host their annual Fireworks Event on Sunday, July 1st at Berenda Reservoir. Games, Food & Fun begin at 2 pm. Free Fireworks Display starts at dusk. For information call 559-665-8615 x110 |
Concerts, concerts and more concerts
Big names at concerts throughout California's Gateway to Yosemite
 Venues throughout the region will be holding concerts, giving you the chance to head out doors will enjoying some great music.
The popular Friday Night Concert Series at Appellation California in Madera continues with some big name acts. Groups such as MoFo Party Band, Let's Go Bowling and Trey Tosh will be performing on Friday nights. The concerts are free. For more, visit www.ApCalWine.com.
Yosemite Lakes Park is continuing with their popular Friday Nights at the Lake free concert series as well. Coming up in July are Band Max Headroom, Executive Rockers, Stone River and Rocky Rocks. Learn more at www.TheBlueHeronOnline.com.
Miller's Landing at Bass Lakeis hosting Hot Summer Nights starting June 29. They're having a "Hoe Down" starting at 6 pm.
The Queen's Inn in Oakhurst is hosting a Jazz Guitar Concert on June 28. Twenty guitarists and ten bass players from across the United States will be performing. $10 cover supports the Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce & Yosemite International Jazz Festival. Upcoming events include July 26 at Sierra Sky Ranch, August 9 at Queen's Inn, August 23 at the Yosemite Lakes Clubhouse, September 13 at Paradise Springs, and back at Queen's Inn on September 27 and Sierra Sky Ranch at October 11.
Birdstone Winery is holding their second Tasting Nights, Blues and BBQ on August 18. They will be pairing several Birdstone Winery wines with smokey grilled meats and veggies for you to savor starting at 6:00 pm along with Live Music by Deja Blues & more. Tickets are free for club members, and $10 for the public.
Save the date for August 17 as the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad will be hosting internationally known singer Carmel Helene.
Enjoy a BBQ dinner, train ride and concert for only $75. For more information, call 559-683-7273. To hear some of Carmel's music, visit her Facebook page. |
Save Yosemite petition
Some proposals in the Merced River Plan call for the removal of as much as 50% of the campsites in Yosemite Valley as well as the Yosemite Lodge.
Other suggestions call for the removal of the Curry Village Ice Rink, Wawona Stables and Golf Course, increasing gate fees and the initiation of a reservation system to go to the park and more.
There is a Facebook Page and a petition right now to help ensure the public always has the right to visit Yosemite. Join the cause and help Save Yosemite for our Families. |
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Logger's Jamboree
Popular event highlight's North Fork's
heritage
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A team competes in Tree Felling at the 2011 Logger's Jamboree |
There was a time when the only business in North Fork was logging, the town was built on it.
While logging today isn't the main driver it once was, it remains a big part of the town's history, and it's celebrated each year at the annual Logger's Jamboree.
In addition to the amazing competitions like log rolling, log birling, choker setting, tree felling, hot saws, power saws, hand chopping, hand bucking and an axe throw, there is the Woodchopper's Ball on Saturday with several top music acts performing live.
Bands include Poor Man's Poison, Mo's Blues, Licorice Pimpz and more will be performing.
Action starts at 10 am Saturday, June 30 and the music starts at 6 pm. Logging competition resumes Sunday at 10 am. All events take place at the North Fork Recreation Center. Call 559-676-7766 for more information.
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Boat races return to Chowchilla
The East Bay Boat Club is hosting a fun event at Berenda Reservoir in Chowchilla.
On Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8, the sound of powerful boat engines will be heard as hydroplanes, tunnel boats and runabouts compete for top honors at the popular summer time spot in Chowchilla.
The reservoir is located on Avenue 26 just east of Chowchilla. Call 559-665-2690 for more information. |
Tour Yosemite, let these companies do the driving
The scenic beauty of Yosemite National Park is unparalleled. The majesty and beauty attract people from literally all over the world as the national park's expansive views are icons of America. As the park attracts so many people, roadways can get busy. That's why more people are choosing to use on of the tour companies to see Yosemite, to let someone else do the driving.
Currently, Discover Yosemite, Yosemite and Beyond and Yosemite Private Tours offer various excursions in to the park. In addition to not having to worry about directions or finding your way, you also get the benefit of a Yosemite expert showing you hidden secrets and telling you about unknown Yosemite facts. You'll enjoy a Yosemite experience above and beyond what others come away with. |
Winery receives top honors
Farview Farm Vineyard, owned by Ray and Tammy Krause of O'Neals, earned a four star gold medal for their Malbec Saint Michael. It was the only Malbec to earn this coveted rating.
"Gold medals are like belly buttons. A four star gold, well, that's a different story," said Krause with the usual quick wit and good-natured grin for which he's known - almost as much as for his wines.
Farview Farm Vineyard is the second label owned by Ray and Tammy. Their flagship label is Westbrook Wine Farm, also of O'Neals, where they create "Authentic hand crafted wines of quality and conscience."
Learn more online.
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Fun events and travel incentives
Businesses offer discounts and other travel incentives
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. Ask for the picnic package to enjoy Yosemite National Park, luxurious accommodations and a delicious picnic lunch for a great price. Magic Show to benefit Boys and Girls Club of Oakhurst Local magician Robin Pedranti will put on a special performance at the Golden Chain Theatre on August 3 to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Oakhurst. The show starts at 7 pm. Tickets are $25 for adults and kids 12 and under are $15. Visit the Boys and Girls Club online to learn more. Children's Museum announces summer programs
A series of events at the Children's Museum of the Sierra will help keep kids busy throughout the summer. Programs include Movie Mondays, Waterworld Tuesdays and Build It Wednesday while Thursdays will host Art Explorers. Fridays will be The Science Behind. All classes are free with admission or membership. For more information, visit www.ChildrensMuseumoftheSierra.com
Friday at Fresno Flats
On July 13th, Friday at Fresno Flats presents "Harlow Fire Memories" with eye witness accounts from survivors of the Harlow fire of 1961, the fastest burning fire in California History, which destroyed Ahwahnee and Nipinnawasee in some 15 minutes. In addition, the main speaker, Franny Adams, Events Coordinator for the National Forest Service, will show the Harlow Fire DVD, picturing the devastation left by the fire. She will discuss the lessons learned from this disaster, offering suggestions for preparing for other emergencies. "Preparing for Disasters" , a guide written by Saint Raphael's Episcopal Church will be available for a small donation. Call 559-683-2161 for more info.
Holiday Inn Express Gateway to Yosemite offers Yosemite Package
In the package offered by Holiday Inn Express you will receive a map of Yosemite National Park and a guide to Yosemite Valley to plan your trip ahead of time. We will give you a $10 GAS CARD and also a $5-off Coupon to Farnesi's Steakhouse for you to enjoy. Also, you will receive 2 chilled SMART WATERS to help you keep cool on your trip up to the mountains.
Beach Party Friday's at Oakhurst Feed and Pet Supply
Every Friday at Oakhurst Feed is "Beach Party Friday!" Come dressed in beach attire for 10% Off (some exclusions will apply). Don't have beach attire? Come Hula Hoop and the discount will apply. Ice cold refreshments and goodies will be waiting
Quad Winery offers patriotic slushies
Quady Winery will be closed on Wednesday, July 4th. Stop by the winery and pickup Electra and Red Electra to make Red, White & Blue wine slushies this 4th of July. Stop by the winery for your free sample and tasting. Our tasting room hours are Monday - Friday: 9-4:30pm, Saturday - Sunday 12-4:30pm, closed holidays.
Ravensbrook Bed and Breakfast receives top honors 
Ravensbrook B&B's streak continues. In addition to being a National Wildlife Federation Certified Backyard Habitat, Ravensbrook has been awarded TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence for the second year in a row. Check out over 100 reviews--and don't forget Ravensbrook for a wedding, company picnic, concert or other special event.
Redwoods in Yosemite hosts summer camps for adults
The Redwoods in Yosemite is holding two five-day summer camps for adults this summer. Session one starts August 17 with session two following on August 24. Space is limited so call Call 877-436-3756 to reserve your Summer Camp for Grown-Ups today.
Sierra Telephone holds Smokey Bear coloring contest
Sierra Telephone is holding their annual coloring contest in conjunction with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection featuring Smokey Bear. Kids can download the coloring sheet from their website, or pick them up at Sierra Telephone's office in Oakhurst. There are cash prizes for the best entries in each age group. Find more online.
Tenaya Lodge Celebrates the 4th of July
Join us for one of our Guest's and America's favorite traditions, an old-fashioned Northern California Fourth of July Poolside BBQ . With specialty drinks, live entertainment and family fun you can't go wrong. Walk-ins welcome, no reservations required. Adults are only $24.95 and kids are $12.95.
Chef's Table at Yosemite Lakes Park
Enjoy a delicious meal at The Blue Heron in Yosemite Lakes Park compliments of Chef Christian Mueller's Chef's Table on July 7 at 7pm. Enjoy a 4 course meal and wines to complement each course, with Lakeside dinning. $45.00 with wine $35.00 without wine.
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau offers Made in USA souvenirs 
No trip is complete without something to remember it by. The Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau gift shop offers numerous items, from books on the area by local authors, hats, t-shirts and more. Even better, the YSVB is converting it's gift store to only carry items made in the USA. You can come away with a great gift, and know that gift helped keep someone here employed. Stop by our Visitor Center at 40637 Highway 41 in Oakhurst to see the great selection.
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Sincerely,
Jarrod Lyman
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau |
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