Press Release ARCHIVE
KERN RIVER VALLEY CELEBRATES COWBOY HERITAGE WITH 50TH ANNUAL WHISKEY FLAT DAYS
KERNVILLE, Calif., - It is just a three-hour drive from Los Angeles to the Kern River Valley and the village of Kernville (50 miles east of Bakersfield on Hwy 178), but those who make the trip over President's Day Weekend (February 18-21, 2005) will "time travel" back to the days of the Wild West.
It's the Kern River Valley's 50th annual "Whiskey Flat Days," honoring the region's miner and cowboy heritage (Kernville was known as "Whiskey Flat" during its 1850s gold rush era). This year's theme is "50 Years of Gold Rush Fever." This year's festival is special considering the anniversaries being celebrated: 50 years for the Whiskey Flat festival, 100 years for the U.S. Forest Service, 100 years for Edison's Borel Plant, and 100 years for Rotary International.
Grand Marshals, John & Shirley McNally will lead the parade featuring special guests, 2004 Olympic Silver Medallist Rebecca & Eric Giddens, and surprise Dignitaries. Additional highlights include a rodeo, children's rodeo (don't miss the sheep riding event, 5 to 7 year-old division), carnival, frog jumping contest, and a whisker contest.
The two-day rodeo is held Saturday, Feb. 19 and Sunday, Feb. 20 at John E. McNally Rodeo Arena in Kernville. Authentic cowboy and Indian encampments on the bank of the Kern River, local mine tours, gold panning demonstrations, arts & crafts show featuring the works of local artisans, staged Western gunfights, live music, dancing and storytelling all will turn the clock back for this popular annual celebration of "Wild West" culture.
One tip: Western attire is mandatory; and visitors not wearing such finery may be headed for the local jail (small donations are accepted for bail).
The Kern River Valley is gateway to the Giant Sequoia National Monument and the "sense of forever" fostered by the "Big Trees." Kernville, a Western-motif village bisected by the Wild and Scenic Kern River, is the local hub for year-round outdoor adventures including kayaking, fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and rock climbing. Situated at an elevation of about 2,600 feet, but just down all-season highways from the Sierra Nevada snowline, Kernville is truly a year-round destination.
Kern River Valley accommodations include AAA-rated motels, mountain cabins, bed and breakfasts, recreational vehicle parks, and campgrounds.
General visitor information is available by calling the Kernville Chamber of Commerce toll-free (866) KERNVIL (537-6845) or online at www.kernvillechamber.org. Another local resource is the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce, toll-free at (866) KRV4FUN (578-4386) or online at www.kernrivervalley.com. More information on Whiskey Flat Days is also found at www.kernvalley.com/news/whiskey.htm.
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