Tehachapi News

Tehachapi Labyrinth Fundraiser

larger view

The Tehachapi Labyrinth Project is sponsoring the first official fund raiser for the Chartres-style Labyrinth that will be constructed in Philip Marx Central Park. Tickets are $20 each for a dinner made with food grown within 150 miles of Tehachapi. A temporary three-circuit Labyrinth will be constructed that night in the outdoor garden area for attendees to walk.

Dinner will be created by local culinary nutritionist master chef, Jodi Wayland. Also on hand will be a silent auction, entertainment and additional information on the history and world-wide use of Labyrinths. Advance tickets are available through Main Street Tehachapi office, the GATE booth at the Farmers Market, at Mama Hillybeans, or by contacting Shanan at 713-0450.

The Tehachapi Labyrinth will be constructed with approximately 20 tons of Randsburg Schist. There will be additional costs for transportation and supplies such as sand, cement and the additional stones used as path dividers. 

Members of the Tehachapi Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite from Bakersfield will cut stone delivered from a local quarry. Stepping stones will be 2” thick, each numbered for the 11-circuit path and stored off-site until all that are needed for the Labyrinth are completed and can be laid at one time. In August, help will be needed to transport the cut stones from a local storage space to Central Park for the setting.

Dedication ceremonies will be held at the California Public Arts & Murals Symposium, Sept. 10-12. The Tehachapi Labyrinth will be open thereafter to the public 24 hours daily for walking meditations. 

People walk these winding paths as a journey to the center of their deepest self and back out into the world with a broadened understanding of who they are. If you examine the Labyrinth graphic, you will see that the path makes 28 loops in four quadrants as the walker makes their way to the center rosette where there are six petals to stand in, one at a time.

Often, for the first-time walker, there can be a bit of confusion and lack of confidence. When you think of it, life is just that way.

Tehachapi Labyrinth Project is a joint effort of several local organizations and dedicated community members including: Tehachapi Valley Recreation & Parks District, Tehachapi Masonic Lodge, Main Street Tehachapi, Guardians Around the Earth, and the California Public Arts & Murals Symposium.

—Bellezza Squillace, Executive Director of Guardians Around The Earth