Tehachapi News

Non-stop events July 4 weekend

By: Tina Forde, Reporter, Tehachapi News

For the past two years, the words “fireworks” and “Tehachapi Railroad Depot” rarely were uttered in the same sentence without wincing.

Errant fireworks burned the historic old depot to the ground in 2008.

Now, with the rebuilt depot and museum open for visitors, it's a new story.

The Friends of the Tehachapi Depot are hosting a fireworks-viewing fundraiser at the depot July 4, complete with appetizers and wine tasting. The wrap-around depot deck is the perfect spot from which to view the civic fireworks exhibition, which originates at the Tehachapi Municipal Airport.

The hours for the fundraiser are 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.; entry is $10.

Golden Hills

Golden Hills kicks off the festivities with its Twilight Liberty Walk at Meadowbrook Park, Saturday evening, July 3. Booths open and the program starts at 6 p.m.

There's free popcorn and water, and a water slide and bounce house for the kids.

The ceremony honoring veterans will be at 7:30 p.m.

Other activities include a classic car cruise-in with a “works in progress” category, musical memories, a mini Relay for Life, family games, fundraising food booths by non-profit organizations, give-aways and the popular Twilight Freedom Trail Walk on the Golden Hills trail.

Meadowbrook Park is at Red Apple Road and Westwood Boulevard. The Twilight event is sponsored by the Golden Hills Community Services District and the Tehachapi Recreation and Parks District.

Sunday, July 4 in the city

Activities on Sunday, July 4 center around Philip Marx Central Park and start early with the Rec and Parks' 5K (3.2 miles) Bun Run.

Registration for the Bun Run begins at 7 a.m. at the old Jacobsen Junior High School at Tehachapi Boulevard and Snyder Street, with the race starting at 8 a.m.

The age-group race is open to everyone. The route follows the same loop as in previous years - F St. to Curry to Valley Blvd to Dennison to Anita and Snyder.

The Bun Run, in its 11th year, attracts as many as 150 runners, said Recreation Specialist Sandy Chavez, who organizes the July 4 activities for the Rec and Parks district. There’s a pancake breakfast at the end of the run, hosted by the Warrior Boosters.

First, second and third place age group Bun Run medals will be awarded at the park. 

While the runners are cooling off, Chavez will be organizing the 10th Annual Children's Parade at the old Jacobsen Junior High site.

Registration for the children's costume parade is at 10 a.m.; the parade starts at 11 p.m., cavorting down F Street to Green and on E Street to the park, where awards will be given.

Hot diggity dogs

Canine Creek Dog Wash and Boutique and the city of Tehachapi team up to present the 2nd Annual Weiner Run, featuring wiener dogs in a test of speed at Central Park.

Registration is $10 per dog before July 1, and cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. Shots are required (bring vet's record) and all dogs must be dachshunds.

Registration forms are available at Canine Creek Dog Wash, 538 East Tehachapi Blvd.

The city's Hot Dog Festival will be in full swing at Central Park, complete with craft and food vendors, a beer garden and a bounce house,  a giant slide, an obstacle course, a monkey motion and a rock climbing wall.

The Time Machine band will play from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

The Tehachapi Pops Orchestra will play show and patriotic music from 2-4 p.m., with Lauren Alexander and Max Valentino singing.

Bad bulls

Over at the rodeo grounds, the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association presents TMRA Benz Bad Bulls Professional Bull Riding. The gates on Dennison Road north of Tehachapi Blvd. open at 4 p.m., with the first bull out of the chute at 6 p.m.

“Everyone is invited to stay around and enjoy the best seats in town for the fireworks display following the bull riding at 9 p.m.,” said rodeo association spokesperson Marilyn Morphis.

The 2010 rodeo queen contestants will be introduced at the Bad Bulls event, and the winners will be crowned at the rodeo at Tehachapi Mountain Festival Aug. 21.

Stock contractor Humpz and Hornz provides the big bulls for the professional cowboys who travel from state to state to compete for prize money. A clown act and Tehachapi's Dust 'n Diamonds Equestrian Drill Team will entertain.

Tickets are available at the gate on July 4, with pre-sale tickets available at a discount at the Chamber of Commerce at 209 E. Tehachapi Blvd., Albertsons, Hemme Hay and at the TMRA booth at Tehachapi Farmer's Market (Thursday, July 1).

Bull sponsorships available.

Fireworks

As nighttime nears, residents and visitors shift their focus to Coy Burnett Stadium on East Tehachapi Boulevard, where the entertainment begins with Ron Kelbaugh, providing music from 5 to 6:15 p.m.

Then comes Tehachapi's own version of the Hollywood Bowl as people dine from picnic baskets under the evening sky while enjoying the Tehachapi Community Orchestra's free concert of show tunes, movie music, marches, patriotic songs and light classical music. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

The grand finale of Tehachapi's Fourth of July is the city's fireworks display at 9 p.m. at the Tehachapi Municipal Airport, just across the boulevard from the stadium. With government coffers feeling the budget squeeze, it's one of just a few live fireworks displays that will be presented in Kern County this year - but our city is in the black and the City Council chose to carry on a tradition that people love.

The fireworks will be coordinated and simulcast with radio station 100.3 FM (“The Edge”).

 

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Other Independence Day celebrations

The July 4 festivities at Bear Valley Springs run from Friday, July 2 to Monday, July 5, starring the colorful hot air balloon rides at $80 per.

As Bear Valley Springs is a private community, visitors need a guest pass from a resident to enter.

The activities include a moonlight movie at Cub Lake, tractor hayrides, a 5K run, bench press competition, band music at poolside at the Oak Tree Counry Club, the hot air balloons, a pancake breakfast, a parade, patriotic entertainment and display by Search and Rescue.

Stallion Springs

Stallion Springs has no July 4 activities planned, but visitors may use the sparkling new Community Services District outdoor pool ($5 a day for non-residents, $3 for residents) at 27850 Stallion Springs Drive.

Stallion Springs Parks and Recreation Coordinator Vanessa Stevens said pool passes are available for purchase at the Chevron gas station across the street from the pool.