JULY 2014
 
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau 
40637 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA  93644
559/683-4636 * Fax 559/683-5697
Photo courtesy of Pat Althizer

WELCOME TO MADERA COUNTY . . . California's Gateway to Yosemite
Summer is here!
 
There is no place better than Madera County in the summer time. We have wineries, fossils, trains, lakes, and Yosemite National Park. What more could you ask for? The best place to see a spectacular fireworks show on 4th of July, is floating in a boat in the middle of Bass Lake. Fun for the whole family!
 
2014 is filled with events and activities honoring the 150th Anniversary of the Yosemite Grant Act.  Come celebrate with us!  
 150th Anniversary Events

        4th of July Celebrations


Exciting Summer Events at Erna's Elderberry House

 

JULY

 

Gone with the Wind  

The Film's 75th Anniversary

Saturday, July 12th 

In commemoration of this iconic movie, We pay culinary tribute with a southern inspired 5-course menu carte. 

 

  

Elderberry Harvest Dinner

Sunday, July 27th 

Our summertime 30 year tradition! That means a special menu 

has been created to feature the little wild berry we all love, our namesake, the Elderberry.

Learn More>>

Evergreen Has Wins Trip Advisor Award;  
Opens New Rooms

Evergreen Has has been open just over a year, and they've already received the coveted Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for 2014.

Considering that proprietors Eddie and Stefanie Rainwater had to renovate and restore the property and get the business going from the ground up, that's quite an achievement.

Now they're announcing an expansion of their facilities with the opening of two new rooms, Pine and Cedar, which can now be reserved online.


Eddie credits their success to a totally unique business model. "We're the only cabin lodging house around (which is kind of a mix of a B&B with a cabin rental), combined with our great central location to Yosemite / Oakhurst / Bass Lake / Scenic Byway, plus our commitment to great customer service." Eddie is proud of their focus on getting the details just right on the property restoration to make the location "more mountainy,"  which he believes visitors really want.

It's clear that Evergreen Haus guests appreciate what they've found and have given Eddie and Stefanie the accolades to prove it. Congratulations, Evergreen Has for your stellar accomplishment!
 
The Ahwahnee Hotel 
Announces...

..the lineup for the 33rd Annual Vintners' Holidays Event. Vintners' Holidays offers numerous tasting seminars, an intimate reception to meet vintners in person and a five-course wine-paired gala dinner served in The Ahwahnee's Dining Room. Two- and three-day sessions run between November 4 and December 4, 2014.

              
 
Visit YosemitePark.com/Vintners for the complete line-up of participating vintners. 

13181 Road 24, Madera, CA 93637

800-733-8068

 

Quady Winery will be closed on Friday, July 4th to give our employees a chance to be with their families on this fun holiday. For your 4th of July celebration stop by the winery on your way to Yosemite to pick up Electra and Red Electra to make Red, White & Blue wine slushies. Stop in for a wine tasting this summer of our specialty sweet wines and our house dry red, Visao. We will cool you off at the end of your tasting with ice cold samples of our Electra Moscato slushies. 

 

Red, White & Blue Electra Moscato Wine Slushy

 

1 bottle of Quady Electra

1 bottle of Quady Red Electra

Fresh blueberries

 

Pour a bottle of Quady Electra and a bottle of Red Electra into separate freezer-safe containers (bowl, Ziploc bag, etc) and allow it to freeze 4-6 hours or until desired consistency is reached. For a quick method freeze in an ice cream maker. Fill glasses with fresh blueberries, follow with Electra slush and top with Red Electra slush for a festive Red, White & Blue wine slushy! A crowd pleaser on a hot day, enjoy!

 

 

 

Our tasting room hours are 

Monday - Friday: 9-4:30pm, 

Saturday - Sunday 12-4:30pm, 

closed major holidays.

 

13181 Road 24, Madera     -     800-733-8068     -      www.quadywinery.com 

Hosted by City of Madera Parks & Community Services Department
Sponsored by PG&E
 
 
 
Madera County Arts Council and the City of Madera present: 
26th Annual Concerts in the Park 
 
Lions Town and Country Park - Madera, CA
Sunday's 7 p.m. till 9 p.m. 
 
July 13th - Without a Doubt - Smooth Jazz R&B
July 27th - Nite Flite - Cumbias Tex Mex
 
Bring your lawn chair and enjoy a night of great music under the summer sky!

 

On Saturday, July 19th at 7:30 p.m. the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau and Yosemite Southgate Hotel present the forth in a series of six slide-show presentations by Tony Krizan, exploring Yosemite's forgotten trails.  In conjunction with the Tony Krizan presentation, REI of Fresno will display various kinds of extreme hiking equipment in the Southgate Hotel lobby, the same type of equipment Tony would use on one of his many adventures.


 Adventurer Tony Krizan shares his 30-plus years of hiking the mountains surrounding Yosemite National Park, and he also writes a column in the local Sierra Star newspaper featuring his hiking accomplishments.  His two recent books on hiking will be available at this showing.

 

Tony reveals in photos his exploration of the tragic events of October 24, 1941 when a squadron of 19 Curtis Wright P40 fighter aircraft were on a training mission from March Air Force Base in Riverside to McClellan Air Force Base in

Sacramento. Thunderstorms and poor decisions caused five aircraft to crash in the Sierra Nevada mountains east of the San Joaquin Valley.  Crash sites were photographed in 2010 and 2012.  You can now witness those off-trail hidden mountain locations varying from 7,000 to 11,500 feet.  Four aircraft have been located but the whereabouts of one P40 is still a mystery even after 72 years.  Join Tony and experience these hidden trails. 

  

This exhibition lecture series runs monthly from now through September 2014, in honor of the Yosemite Grant 150th Anniversary.

Yosemite Southgate Hotel & Suites is located on Highway 41 in Oakhurst. The presentation is open to the public and is free of charge. Guests can enjoy complimentary gourmet cookies and finger pastries by Crab Cakes Restaurant in Oakhurst. 

Saturday, July 19th - Lost in Kings Canyon, Curtis Wright P40 Aircraft
Saturday, August 16th - Minaret Mountain Adventure
Saturday, September 13th - Wawona Old Stagecoach Road

For more information go to our Events Calendar.
As seen on DogTrekker....
South (Wawona) Entrance
Madera County, Highway 41
 

Highway 41, the southern corridor into Yosemite, starts in Fresno and begins its serious climb in Oakhurst, where Queen's Inn by the River boasts an adjacent winery, the Idle Hour, and a beer garden where, Wednesdays through Sundays, almost 100 wines and craft beers are available to guests. Another interesting choice is Sierra Sky Ranch, a converted ranch complex with 22 guest rooms, a steakhouse, pool and lots of other amenities for you and your dog to sniff out. Nearby Bass Lake is a recreation magnet and destination in itself for many summer vacationers. Its three primary resort/marinas-The PinesThe Forks and Miller's Landing-extend a warm welcome to pets with people in tow. All cater to visitors interested in hiking, fishing, water skiing, boating, kayaking or visiting wineries, museums, art galleries, theaters and other attractions in the region. Smaller properties and campgrounds around the lake offer additional dog-friendly options. More...

 Zephyr Whitewater Rafting


Due to the drought in California and particularly the lack of snowfall this past winter, the rafting season has ended on the Merced, Kings, and Kern rivers for the 2014 rafting season.  

 

However, the Tuolumne and American rivers (near Yosemite and Sacramento respectively), will have raftable water due to upstream dams into early September.  

 

For more information and/or reservations, please call Zephyr Whitewater at 1-800-431-3636.  You can also visit www.zrafting.com for information and online reservations.

 

     2014 Youth Summer Camps


Our specialty program is our youth summer backpacking series which was recently featured in Outside Magazine as the 'Best Backpacking Summer Camp in the West!" These one- and two- week adventures are open to youth ages 11-18 and focus on positive youth development through adventure-based activities. Limited spaces still available.  


Featured Yosemite Day Hike

Mist Trail & Panorama Trail 

This hike offers beautiful scenery of Yosemite's 

astonishing landmarks from start to finish! 

Come walk beside towering waterfalls and return 

to the Valley on the historic 4-mile trail. 

Truly a trip of a lifetime!

   

Click here for more information 


    Half Dome Backpacking

Glacier Point to Half Dome

This adventure features amazing views of the high Sierras, 

camping in Little Yosemite Valley beside the Merced River, 

summit Half Dome, and return along both Vernal and 

Nevada Falls on the Mist Trail!

Reimer's Candies and Gifts

Open Mike is at Reimer's!
 

Saturday evenings from 7pm to 9pm

Music, poetry, comedy or whatever you can imagine!

 

Sign-ups at 6:30pm.  

Free admission.

Reimer's Candies, Gifts & Ice Cream

41969 Hwy 41 

Oakhurst, CA 93644

559-642-3232

 

Yosemite 'Rocks' - an Artistic Learning Series 

Gallery Yosemite and Timberline Gallery in Oakhurst honor the Yosemite Grant 150th Anniversary.

 

Gallery Yosemite is a new venue for creative artists to express their love for Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada.  Timberline Gallery has been a community-centered art institution for 28 years and will present two shows in 2014, dedicated to the grandeur of Yosemite.  Both galleries have partnered to honor the Yosemite Grant 150th anniversary with eight months of artistic learning series providing speakers and classes for visitors as well as locals.

 

Join us for our Artist Learning Series - to be held the 2nd Saturday of each month through September 2014, from 2 pm to 4 pm.

 

July 12, 2014

Summer Children's Event- Outside activities including art stations, painting, stenciling, clay bears, model magic and more.

 
Golden Chain Theatre presents: 
The Boardinghouse

Watch the hilarity ensue as this gaggle of misfits join Harriet in her boarding house. The unexpected arrival of Veronica and Dirk brings mystery and mayhem. The brother/sister duo are in search of Captain Schnook's legendary buried treasure. With the dynamics between the different personalities in the house these two fit right in. 
 
Will Veronica and Dirk find the buried treasure? Will Dr. Sni-fell finally get to retire? Is Tweenie right about Mr. Richards? is he really a murderer? Is Martha really sick and will she find love? Can Gladys talk to the dead or is it just a ruse? Can Hortense finally stop chasing Ivy? 
 
Let the hijinks begin!
Performances:
Saturday, July 5th at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 6th at 2:00 p.m.
 
Saturday, July 12th at  7:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 13th at  2:00 p.m.
 
Admission Prices:
Adults $12.00 
Seniors $10.00
Students (w/student ID) $8.00
Children $6.00
July Calendar of Events in Madera County:
California's Gateway to Yosemite
  • 7/1-31                            Annual Pet Photo Contest at Oakhurst Feed & Pet Supply      
  • 7/2, 9,16,23,30           Bass Lake Farmer's Market
  • 7/3, 10,17,24,31          Oakhurst Farmer's Market at True Value Homecenter
  • 7/3, 10,17,24,31          Chowchilla Music in the Park Summer Concerts
  • 7/4                                 Big Granite Valley Review at Curry Village, Yosemite National Park
  • 7/4                                 4th of July BBQ at Ducey's on the Lake with Fireworks 
  • 7/4                                 Light up the Sky Annual Fireworks show at Bass Lake
  • 7/4                                 4th of July Golf Tournament & Fireworks Spectacular, Madera 
  • 7/5                                  Lions Club Fireworks Plus Concert - Chowchilla Fairgrounds
  • 7/5, 6, 12,13                 'The Boardinghouse' at the Golden Chain Theatre
  • 7/5, 6                             55th Annual Loggers Jamboree
  • 7/5                                  LoanMart Madera Speedway Jeff Doran Grass Roots Racer Classic
  • 7/11                                 Friday at Fresno Flats Museum
  • 7/11                                 Dance at Elks Lodge
  • 7/12                                Tune In Tune Up at Chowchilla Fairgrounds
  • 7/12                                Yosemite 'Rocks'- an Artistic Learning Series
  • 7/12                                LoanMart Madera Speedway Gerhardt Classic
  • 7/13                                2014 Kiwanis Pancake Breakfasts
  • 7/19                               Discover Yosemite's Forgotten Trails Presentation Series
  • 7/20                               Railroad Melodrama at Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
  • 7/26                               LoanMart Madera Speedway Race #5 of the $1,000 to win Loan Mart                                          Open Late Model Series
  • 7/27                               Elderberry Harvest Dinner at Erna's Elderberry House 
For further Information, see our Calendar of Events at www.yosemitethisyear.com/events
Recipe of the Month
Seafood Kebob
 

 

 

SEAFOOD KEBOB

Ingredients:

12 small cipollini

12 cherry tomatoes

1 fennel bulb

2 Portobello mushrooms

24 large shrimp

12 wooden skewers

 

Directions:

Soak skewers in cold water for two hours.  Peel the cipollini.  Cut the fennel into 12 pieces. Cut Portobello mushrooms in half and then quarters so you have 8 pieces from each mushroom. Skewer two of each ingredient onto the skewers alternating each food item.

 

LEMON-MINT OIL

Ingredients:

1 bunch mint

4 cups oil

� cup lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Place all ingredients into blender and mix well.

Place lemon-mint oil in a bowl. Grill the skewers and place them into the lemon-mint oil and cover well.  Serve immediately.

 

 

Crab Cakes, Inc.

                                 Crab Cakes Restaurant /Yosemite Catering / Roman's Bar

Sweet Dreams Cakes & Flowers

JULY TRAVEL INCENTIVES

 

Traveling with Fido & Fifi?  Forgot Something?  $5.00 off for any first-time customer at Oakhurst Feed & Pet Supply.  Your one-stop shop for all your pet needs! 559.683.7977 - Expires September 30, 2014

 

Hiking Yosemite? Not sure what to do with Fido & Fifi? Contact All Kritter Sitters for in-home pet care, regardless of the home! Could be your RV, hotel or tent.  We are licensed, bonded and insured, but most importantly, we offer every pet parent peace of mind while on vacation.  Mention this ad for a FREE consultation and $5.00 off.

888-AKSitters

888-257-4883

559-683-7977 (a subsidiary of Oakhurst Feed & Pet Supply)

Expires September 30, 2014

  

 

                                                                        

Hampton Inn & Suites  

 

The Hampton Inn & Suites, Madera, will give 15% off any room type by just asking for 'July Yosemite Special'. This special will run from July  1, 2014 to July 31, 2014. Must call the hotel direct to receive this discount. 

 

Hampton Inn & Suites, Madera

3254 Airport Drive

Madera, CA 

559-661-0910



Romantic Retreat at Narrow Gauge Inn Narrow Gauge Inn
The Narrow Gauge Inn  in Fish Camp presents a two-night package, which includes accommodations for two in a queen room, champagne & chocolate-covered strawberries. Wake up each morning to a warm breakfast of fresh made-to-order Belgian waffles, rosemary potatoes, sausage and an array of other delectable treats. Berries or a seasonal fruit basket and rose petals on the bed.       

  

Midweek (Sun-Thurs) $199  Weekend (Fri/Sat) $269. Subject to availability. Rates subject to change during holiday periods.   Call 559-683-7720 or visit www.narrowgaugeinn.com.

  
The Pines Resort 
Bring your family, friends and ... your dog to spend a fun vacation at Bass Lake. Stay in one of our cozy, two story, mountain chalets or relax in the lake front suites. Dogs are welcome in designated chalets with a one-time $30 pet fee. Call for availability and to make your reservation (800) 350-7463. Pet policy, event calendar and lodging specials can be found on www.BassLake.com. 

  

 
Ducey's on the Lake 
Ducey's on the Lake and Bar & Grill have now extended their hours for the summer (until 10pm on Friday and Saturday)! Come and start your day with a delicious breakfast at Ducey's, grab a quick lunch or reserve a table for a romantic dinner with a view of the lake. Don't forget to ask about our VIP discount card to enjoy year round discounts and promotions. For current hours of operation, menu and specials, visit our web site BassLake.com or call (559) 642-3131. 

 

We still have seats available for the 4th of July BBQ with Fireworks. Call us today to make your reservation.


Happy 10-Year Anniversary Apple Blossom Inn!

 Apple Blossom Inn, Yosemite Area Bed and Breakfast

Enjoy the beauty and natural splendor 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.

   

 

Yosemite Southgate Hotel & Suites      

  

The Yosemite Southgate Hotel & Suites provides comfortable and accommodating lodging in the heart of Oakhurst. 

  

Located minutes from the south entrance of Yosemite National Park on Highway 41, we are one of the highest-rated hotels in Oakhurst. Our warm and friendly staff looks forward to making your stay here memorable. 

  

We offer a delicious complimentary continental breakfast, 24-hour coffee bar, and free wireless Internet.


Events
Keep up-to-date with community activities. Check our YSVB Calendar of Events often.  
Yosemite Anniversaries
Events
Go to the Yosemite 150th Anniversary schedule of events
to see the many ways our Gateway communities are celebrating this momentous occasion.Here is a list of upcoming local events. 

Majestic Mountain Loop
Events
There's always something exciting going on in the three parks that make up the  Majestic Mountain Loop:  Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. To keep up with MML activities, watch for the  quarterly newsletter to appear in your mailbox. Sign up  here if you don't already receive it.

Join Our Mailing List
Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest   LinkedIn
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
559-683-4636
christi@yosemitethisyear.com
www.yosemitethisyear.com
Planning on visiting? You can book your stay right on our website! Visit www.yosemitethisyear.com/where-to-stay, browse our properties and book your stay right there on the site!

You can also book your room on our Facebook page now as well.


Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.